The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a $1.2 million grant agreement to support sustainable agriculture and youth employment in Rwanda’s Gatsibo District.

The initiative is part of the broader $14.8 million “Supporting Agricultural Climate Resilience and Creating Green Jobs for Youth in Rural Communities (CRCSP)” project, which will run from 2025 to 2030.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Kigali, KOICA Country Director Jinhwa Kim described the project as “a model of how joint efforts can deliver lasting impact to communities.” 

He reaffirmed KOICA’s commitment to working with Rwanda’s Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI) and WFP to “build resilient livelihoods, foster green growth, and promote inclusive prosperity.”

The CRCSP project will rehabilitate 500 hectares of marshland, promote sustainable land use, and develop rural infrastructure. 

It also seeks to strengthen Rwanda’s food systems by improving flood protection, post-harvest processing, and inclusive agribusiness models.

WFP’s component will empower 340 vulnerable youth and women through vocational training, entrepreneurship coaching, and access to finance and markets. 

In addition, 60 youth-led Farmer Service Centres will be established, creating opportunities for an estimated 400 more people to gain skills, employment, and capacity-building support.

WFP Rwanda Deputy Country Director, Kaori Ura, said the collaboration allows WFP to contribute directly to the country’s climate resilience goals. “By investing in skills and inclusive agribusiness, we are equipping communities, especially youth and women, to be more self-reliant and better prepared for future challenges,” she said.

The CRCSP project represents a comprehensive strategy for combining large-scale infrastructure development with community-level empowerment. 

By targeting green jobs and sustainable farming practices, the project positions young people and women at the centre of Rwanda’s food-system transformation.

Since 2012, KOICA has contributed $21.2 million through its partnership with WFP, supporting rural development and inclusive economic growth in Rwanda.

Source: World Food Programme 

Image Credit: New Times