Project Overview
The European Union Regulation on Deforestation-free Supply Chains (EUDR) is set to reshape Africa's export markets for commodities such as timber, coffee, and cocoa. While the regulation presents opportunities for more sustainable trade, most African countries have yet to establish the necessary due diligence frameworks. Youth, who form a large part of the agricultural and forestry workforce, face heightened risks of exclusion from European markets unless their capacity to adapt and comply is strengthened.
This project, implemented under the AFF–AGRA partnership, responds by empowering African youth to play a central role in advancing sustainable supply chains. It focuses on enhancing institutional frameworks, governance arrangements, and technical capacities in selected countries to meet EUDR requirements while also contributing to broader goals of sustainability, climate resilience, and green job creation.
Project Goal
Through participatory approaches—policy dialogues, regional workshops, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and communities of practice—the project will co-develop solutions with youth, governments, and other stakeholders. The project's objectives are to strengthen youth-led enterprises and platforms to respond to climate risks and trade barriers, expand youth and women's involvement in sustainable land management, and build inclusive knowledge and policy platforms for deforestation-free trade and food systems governance.
Expected Outcomes
- Increased youth and women engagement in climate-smart practices such as agroforestry and conservation agriculture
- Enhanced resilience of youth enterprises to trade and climate risks
- Stronger policy dialogue platforms that amplify youth voices in shaping sustainable land and trade systems across Africa
Project Information
AFF Programme Areas
AFF Enablers
Target Groups
Global & Continental Alignment
- European Deforestation Regulation
- AU Sustainable Forest Management Framework 2020–2030
Project Manager
Resources
AfricanYouth4Forests
Youth engagement platform for forest conservation and climate action