YSEALI Regional Workshop: Agri-Biz Incubator

Description

Overview: The U.S. Embassy Vientiane announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a five-day workshop in Laos on agriculture-related entrepreneurship (agri-biz) for the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), pending the availability of FY2019 funds. The YSEALI Agri-Biz Incubator Regional Workshop will bring together around 50 youth (aged 18-35) from ASEAN nations (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam) and Timor-Leste. YSEALI (https://asean.usmission.gov/yseali) is the U.S. government’s signature initiative to engage with emerging leaders in Southeast Asia. The program aims to create a network of young Southeast Asian leaders who work across national borders to solve common problems. This workshop will focus on building theoretical and practical knowledge about responsible, sustainable and environmentally sound agri-biz initiatives in Southeast Asia. This workshop will allow participants to explore different approaches to promoting small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agricultural sector. The objective would be to create innovative and sustainable SMEs in the field of agriculture that create jobs which improve local livelihoods and have the potential to open new areas for U.S. trade and investment across ASEAN. This objective directly supports regional public diplomacy goals to promote sustained and inclusive economic growth and prosperity. Background: Rapid population growth in the Asia-Pacific and technological advancement are creating enormous and fast-growing market opportunities for the region to become a leading supplier of safe and nutritious food for all. Food production is a key issue in Laos across multiple sectors. Ironically, while agriculture continues to be the foundation of the Lao economy, malnutrition is still a significant development concern that affects nearly one third of Lao children. However, over the past decade, there has been increasing research and cooperation between Laos and other Mekong countries (Vietnam in particular) to improve food production through farmer participation models that promote low-impact farming models that can increase production while promoting environmental sustainability and community health. These innovative farming practices might include things like rain-fed agriculture, intercropping, and organic farming. As a result, there are a number of highly functional farm businesses and cooperatives, particularly in the southern part of Laos, which are using simple innovative technology to boost farm production, increase revenues, and reduce operating costs at a village level, while creating new jobs on the local economy. The emergence of these small co-ops makes the region an interesting agri-business laboratory for emerging micro-enterprises. This YSEALI workshop would function much like an incubator to help young ag entrepreneurs develop start-ups and enhance currently existing micro-enterprises and/or projects that promote sustainable, small-scale agriculture in their home countries. Strengthening youth-led micro-enterprises, linking youth farmers to markets, and making commercial opportunities available to youth-led entrepreneurs are key to driving pro-youth growth in value chains across agriculture, agribusiness and animal industry market systems. In this workshop, the implementing partner would have experience in developing youth leadership and social entrepreneurship; any experience working specifically in agriculture would be considered a plus. The implementing partner would design a workshop that promotes social entrepreneurship and sustainable business models, and that helps to develop local labor and skills, while also contributing to better health and livelihood in the community. For example, the program might explore low-chemical and organic methods of farming as sustainable ways to earn an income, produce high-quality products, and conserve the environment. In addition to this, the workshop would use site visits and mentoring sessions to develop business ideas that enhance competitiveness, and promote more effective and efficient marketing of farm products. Participants would visit successful local farm businesses to see different agri-biz SMEs in operation, and learn about the practical challenges SMEs face. The five-day workshop would offer five full days of programming, and would ideally take place in Champasak in the south of Laos, though other workshop locations will also be considered. Champasak borders Thailand and Cambodia. It is well known for agricultural production and is a small local tourism destination with decent hotels and infrastructure, making it an ideal location for this type of workshop. Priority Region: East Asia Pacific Program Objectives : The long-term goal of this workshop is to support the creation of innovative and sustainable SMEs in the field of agriculture that create jobs, improve livelihoods and open new potential areas for U.S. trade and investment across ASEAN. A successful workshop would generate new business ideas that support the creation of start-up businesses in the field of agriculture, or develop existing SMEs in this field. Ideally, the workshop would have three components: a class-based component that focuses on technical knowledge and discussion; a field based component that emphasizes direct observation and hands-on experience; a mentoring component where participants design their own project or business model. Classroom: Experts in different fields would provide an overview of the main topics and themes. For example, what are the major trends in agri-biz SMEs; what are simple technologies and techniques that can be applied. Participants can also discuss different models they have experienced in their home countries. Field Trips: Through field visits to local SMEs, the participants would observe first-hand some examples of successful, responsible businesses that support environmentally friendly production models, promote community participation in decision-making, and generate income for local (and often rural) communities. Mentoring Workshop: Following field visits, participants would work with established leaders in the field to design their own business models. Emphasis would be placed on identifying potential projects, businesses, or activities in home countries, and working in teams to design micro-initiatives to promote sustainable agri-biz initiatives. For example, participants might design actual business plans, or design outreach and training to promote already existing SMEs.

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