[{"bbox": [96, 151, 1135, 553], "category": "Text", "text": "Rwanda set a target of 60% of 9th grade graduates choosing TVET orientation by 2024 and is investing significant means to expand the TVET schools' network and increase its attractiveness. However, TVET remains a secondary option and is often blamed for not supplying the appropriate skills to meet labour market demands, especially in agriculture. Agriculture further suffers from a negative image among the young people when it comes to choosing a training/career. As of 2023, 10% of all secondary TVET students were enrolled in agriculture- and food processing-related trades (i.e., 10 073 students in secondary TVET, of which 51.2% were female).¹⁰ 4 out of 8 Integrated Polytechnic Regional Colleges (IPRC) and 40 secondary TVET schools (out of 451) offer agriculture-related trades. According to a recent tracer study of graduates done in 2022, the lowest employment rate of graduates was observed among graduates from agriculture, forestry, and fishery trades. It is estimated that up to 3 000 youth graduate from agriculture-related trades each year, which is insufficient to fill the gap of the active working force leaving the sector each year, estimated at around 50 000 (due to retirement, reorientation, ...). A number of targeted interventions will be needed to counter this trend. Across all schools, the issue of communication barriers constrains learning among students with disabilities, given that many teachers have no knowledge of sign and/or braille languages, coupled with the general lack of braille machines, wheelchairs and other equipment and materials¹¹."}, {"bbox": [96, 578, 1135, 714], "category": "Text", "text": "To respond to these challenges, the Government of Rwanda, through the *Vision 2050* and the *National Strategy for Transformation 1 (NST 1) 2017-2024*, established a policy framework to prioritize skills development as key enabler for the country's social and economic development. It aims at creating 1 500 000 new jobs by 2024 across sectors through specific actions. The role of women in the leadership of agricultural cooperatives and companies will be promoted, as well as their inclusion as beneficiaries of rural services.¹²"}, {"bbox": [96, 741, 1135, 953], "category": "Text", "text": "Rwanda, as one of regional and global leaders in gender equality and women economic empowerment (WEE), also adopted a strong policy framework in this regard, centred on the revised *National Gender Policy 2021*. Yet, although women represent the majority of agriculture workers, studies show they have more limited access to finance and land and benefitted less from agriculture extension services (39% of women vs. 52% of men in 2019).¹³ In 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture (MINAGRI) launched a study on Women's Empowerment in Agriculture, to monitor gender-specific data and better capture the persisting gaps and needs of female workers in the sector, but challenges remain to improve the access to and conditions of training and employment for women in the agriculture sector."}, {"bbox": [96, 982, 1135, 1170], "category": "Text", "text": "The EU and its Member States' actions in Rwanda are in support of the roll out of the EU Global Gateway strategy and the external dimension of the EU Green Deal and are aligned with the country's National Strategy for Transformation and Vision 2050. In line with the Entrepreneurship Development Policy (EDP) and with a view to promoting an inclusive ecosystem, EU support will focus on creating more opportunities for the underserved youth, female entrepreneurs and members of vulnerable groups to start and grow their own businesses. The focus is on supporting economic transformation and a green transition, which in turn also requires fostering a more equitable and cohesive society as reflected in the multi-annual indicative priorities of education, green deal and governance."}, {"bbox": [96, 1197, 1135, 1279], "category": "Text", "text": "In particular, the EU, Member States and European financing institutions will distinguish themselves from other partners in Rwanda by focussing on three Flagships (Team Europe Initiatives) in support of the roll out of the Global Gateway strategy, one of which is on sustainable and inclusive agricultural transformation."}, {"bbox": [85, 1292, 355, 1324], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [96, 1338, 1135, 1473], "category": "Text", "text": "At sector level, the poor productivity of the agriculture sector is a major challenge and presents a high risk for the country's food security (with 49% of people living below the international poverty line in 2021 according to the World Bank¹⁴), despite the country's valuable natural resources and its high potential for agricultural production. Indeed, the sector is still largely characterized by informal work, smallholder farmers and subsistence agriculture, particularly for women. The country faces a variety of challenges, putting additional pressure on the sector: the"}, {"bbox": [85, 1526, 620, 1550], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁰ Source: ETF report on Employment and Skills in Agriculture (2023)."}, {"bbox": [85, 1549, 1020, 1574], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹¹ Source: Situation Analysis of The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Rwanda UNPRPD Country Report 2021"}, {"bbox": [85, 1573, 286, 1596], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹² Source: MIP Rwanda"}, {"bbox": [85, 1597, 207, 1620], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹³ DfID, 2020."}, {"bbox": [85, 1620, 717, 1645], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹⁴ Source: Macro-Poverty Outlook (MPO) for Rwanda, World Bank (2022)."}, {"bbox": [1038, 1682, 1144, 1706], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 6 of 32"}]