Title

Sustainable skills and employment in small scale agro-food processing- SHAMERTO

The project promoted Decent Work agenda improving occupational health and safety measures in small, micro and cottage enterprises (e.g. introduction of women-friendly measures as separate washrooms or protection at the workplace) and supporting skills training and job creation. Policy efforts to strengthen TVET/Skills Development sectors were strengthened by curricula development and establishment of a skills training, testing and certification and job placement system for the agro-food processing sector. The environmental impact was improved by the new technology and environmental friendly production methods applied.

Duration

From 1/2/2017 to 30/9/2020

Budget (Euro)

Total costs EUR 4,355,635 EU contribution EUR 3,920,071

Locations

Kurigam, Gaibandha, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Barisal and Shariatpur.

Implementing Organization (s)

Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation Association

Objectives

Outcome (Specific Objectives) and Outputs (Expected results)

Overall objectives: to contribute to inclusive economic growth through the promotion of sustainable agro-food processing SMCE (small, micro and cottage enterprise) operating in pro-poor value chains.

Specific objective: to strengthen the skills, employability and income of workers and entrepreneurs in agro-food processing SMCE with particular focus on scaling-up value addition and increasing the competitiveness of these enterprises in the wheat, rice, groundnut, lentil, mung bean, spice and mustard value chains.

Expected results:

1. An increased number of Training & Employment Service Providers (TESP) which are capable and incentivised to respond to the skills and job placement demands of job seekers and the targeted SMCE

2. An increased number of SMCE experiencing business growth and creating employment and income through improved efficiency and integration in the targeted community

3. An increased number of women and men from poor and disadvantaged groups with gainful (self-)employment in agro-food processing SMCE

4. An improved enabling environment for skills development, employment, decent work conditions, and promotion of environmental standards in SMCE

5. National skills development system actors and professional associations endorsing and adopting products, approaches and models generated and innovated by the Action

Target group(s)

25’000 poor women and men working or seeking (self-) employment in the targeted agro-food processing enterprises, 4,500 agro-food processing SMCE, 35 TESP, 6 District Chambers of Commerce and other Business Intermediary Organisations (BIO)

Final beneficiaries

Approx. 90,000 household members of employed graduates; about 250,000 family members of other workers employed in targeted SMCE; about 200,000 farmer households increasing income from supply of raw material to the targeted SMCE; about 10,000 traders, retailers and other forward/backward market actors active in the community. 21´400 people trained, mainly women and disadvantaged persons, and 73% of them were placed in small, micro and cottage enterprises (SMCEs), increasing their productivity (thanks to the access to skilled workforce).