Introduction

The Creating Sustainable Youth MSMEs through Urban Farming Project (SYMUF Project) seeks to generate employment and income opportunities for African youth interested in urban agriculture but facing challenges in securing work, capital, or credit to initiate or sustain their agribusiness ventures. These individuals often face discrimination due to a lack of collateral. The project specifically targets unemployed graduates and aspiring young entrepreneurs who struggle with a shortage of skills and financial resources, hindering their progress.

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The project aims to offer them the chance to establish or expand their enterprises. Implemented by the Africa Projects Development Centre in collaboration with a consortium of partners, the SYMUF Project in Africa aspires to:

• Empower African youth with agribusiness technical skills, knowledge (including climate-smart agricultural practices), technologies, and market networks.
• Assist city-based graduate youth and early-stage MSMEs in establishing bankable enterprises through business training, incubation, and facilitating access to inclusive financial services.
• Provide professional mentorship and coaching to youth, leveraging role models and mentors to address uncertainties and risks associated with new enterprises.
• Become a beneficiary and embark on a career or business in Urban Farming Enterprises, including Aquaculture, Poultry, Horticulture (including Hydroponics), Snailery, and Mushroom farming.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must be Nigerian citizens aged between 18 and 35.
• Youth applying should demonstrate a passion for agriculture, specifically in the areas of mushroom farming, poultry farming, horticulture, heliculture, and aquaculture.
• Successful applicants must be willing to dedicate three months to the program.
• Individuals seeking benefits from the program must be unemployed at the time of application.
• Applicants should have access to a functional mobile phone.
• Female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

To express your interest in participating in the Sustainable Youth MSMEs through Urban Farming (SYMUF) Project, kindly complete and submit the application form provided below:

OFFICIAL LINK: APPLY