National Strategy for Youth Employability in Agricultural Occupations in São Tomé and Príncipe.

The National Strategy for Youth Employability in Agricultural occupations in São Tomé and Príncipe aims to promote the integration of young people and women into agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries value chains, thereby fostering inclusive economic growth and job creation. Its vision for 2030 is that these groups will possess the necessary skills and qualifications to access productive and decent employment, actively contributing to economic development and the sustainable transformation of food systems. The strategy is aligned with national and international frameworks, including the country’s Vision 2040, the Transformation Programme to 2030, and the FAO Country Programming Framework 2024–2027, and incorporates objectives related to employment, food security, environmental sustainability, and gender equality. To achieve these objectives, the strategy is structured around four strategic axes: (i) promoting a conducive business environment to stimulate investment in agriculture and create large-scale employment opportunities for young people and women; (ii) strengthening institutional and operational capacities of actors involved in training, job placement, and support services; (iii) fostering entrepreneurship and decent employment through the development of technical skills in agricultural and food system value chains; and (iv) reinforcing partnerships and mobilizing inclusive financing.
Implementation includes governance mechanisms such as a national steering committee, coordinated institutional arrangements, and partnerships with public, private, and international actors. From an FAO mandate perspective, the strategy addresses key areas including agriculture and food systems, food security, rural development, youth employment, resilience to climate change, sustainable management of natural resources, and gender equality in access to economic opportunities.