Japan to Host Green Livelihoods Training for African Women, Youth

• UNITAR Division for Prosperity will hold the third phase of "Developing Green Livelihoods for Women and Youth in Africa: Strengthening Food Security, Supporting Climate Resilient Economies" in Japan from 26 February to 1 March 2024.
• The top 24 learners from Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe will visit Tokyo and Hiroshima for the in-person workshop and study tour.
• The Green Livelihoods programme aims to empower women and youth by building their entrepreneurial and digital knowledge and skills to develop sustainable and climate-resilient businesses.

22 February 2024, Hiroshima, Japan - Twenty-four women and youth from three sub-Saharan African countries will visit Japan for the third and final phase of the UNITAR training programme "Developing Green Livelihoods for Women and Youth in Africa: Strengthening Food Security, Supporting Climate Resilient Economies". The participants will visit Tokyo and Hiroshima for an in-person workshop and study tour, from 26 February to 1 March 2024.

The training programme started in November 2023 and aims to empower and skill African women and youth in Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe to combine traditional knowledge and technical skills so they can respond and reduce their vulnerability to climate change. Participants will be able to create inclusive, environmentally responsible and viable employment and livelihood opportunities that contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation and, ultimately, promote an equitable, peaceful and sustainable future.

In the first two phases of the programme, participants completed self-paced e-modules and webinars and received online coaching and mentoring support. They learned about climate change and green enterprise, entrepreneurship, generating and evaluating green business ideas, and financial planning. Selected participants from the first phase came together in Harare, Zimbabwe, for a mid-programme meet and greet, which allowed them to meet with various experts, network and discuss their learning progress.

The meet and greet was joined by the Ambassador of Japan to Zimbabwe Mr. Shinichi Yamanaka and distinguished guests and representatives of Zimbabwean government ministries, industry experts and other public and private sector agencies, as well as Ms. Chisa Mikami, Head of Hiroshima Office, UNITAR Division for Prosperity. Ambassador Yamanaka reiterated Japan's commitment to empowering women and youth and highlighted the significance of this programme in addressing climate change, building capacity and fostering sustainable development.

For the final phase of the programme, the top 24 participants from the first two phases are scheduled to travel to Japan for five days, where they will present their projects, meet with Japanese officials, network, receive in-person training, and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. The participants will make a courtesy call to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan, as well as the Hiroshima Prefectural Government and Hiroshima City's Office.

In the in-person training, participants will learn from the innovative insights of the Japanese private sector. This includes a lecture from Eukarya Inc. on geographical information systems (GIS) and how GIS can be used for green livelihood development. Participants will also visit Satake Corporation. The visit to Japan will culminate in a graduation ceremony for the training programme participants.

The programme is funded by the Government and People of Japan, as part of Japan's commitment to climate finance and support for quality growth and human security in Africa through inclusiveness, sustainability, resilience and capacity-building.