The receipt of funding from Agence Française de Développement (AFD) marks the launch of an ambitious new project in India, in partnership with local NGO Tomorrow's Foundation. The GYVE* project targets 2,000 young people aged between 14 and 20 (2/3 of them girls), living in rural areas of the Birbhum district in West Bengal. The aim is to help them acquire key technical and interpersonal skills to facilitate their socio-professional integration, while raising their awareness of environmental issues.
Poverty forces many young Indians to leave school too early. In the Birbhum district, where the main source of livelihood is agriculture, many young people find themselves without qualifications and struggle to find work that will allow them to live with dignity. Girls are particularly hard hit, held back by gender inequalities and violence. Not to mention climate change, which is weakening the local economy, centered on agriculture, without the population having the tools to cope.
This project meets a dual need: to offer young people valuable professional skills, while raising their awareness of climate issues and gender equality.
Training to learn a trade and become more independent
Young people, both in and out of school, will receive technical training in 5 areas, most of which are conducive to the circular economy: telephone repair, repair of electronic and household appliances, production of washable sanitary towels, manufacture of recycled jewelry, embroidery. The skills acquired will be implemented through 40 micro-projects in the villages. This training will enable them to generate an income, finance their studies or become financially independent.
Acting locally for the planet
The project also involves raising awareness of climate-related issues: agricultural waste management, sustainable agriculture, tree planting, creation of ecological micro-projects... Young men and women will be trained to become agents of environmental change in their villages.
Self-confidence, equality and skills for life
GYVE also supports young people in their personal development, with workshops on health, sexuality, women's rights and gender equality, as well as English courses and communication and leadership sessions.
A project rooted in the field, for lasting change
This project draws on the expertise of Tomorrow's Foundation, which has been working with local populations in this region for many years. Planète Enfants & Développement provides technical support and supervision, in line with its mission to protect and support the most vulnerable children and young people, and to promote their education and inclusion.
*GYVE: Gender, Youth, and Vocational Empowerment in the Green Economy
