Youth empowerment Objective
The main objective of this project is:
Young Dutch farmers support rural youth in developing countries in defending their interests, lobbying and in becoming rural entrepreneurs.

The secondary objective is:
Involve more Dutch young farmers in international cooperation.

Subgoals
•	Motivate and help young farmers to set up their own Young Farmers Branch
•	Support and advise on the design of youth policy
o	Training (the leadership and management skills) of young board members
o	Exchange experiences in how to organize and manage a farmers association 
o	Assist in lobby trainings and stay involved in lobby roadmap 
•	Share knowledge on agricultural and marketing skills with individual young farmers
•	Make sure the interests of rural youth from developing countries are taken into account at the (international) political advocacy 
o	Select and train NAJK-members involved in Agriterra assignments in intercultural communication and brainstorm methods
•	Communicate Agriterra activities to Dutch young farmers in order to increase involvement.

Entrepreneurship
NAJK has members who are farmers in all kinds of different sectors; from animal production, milk production to horticulture. Most of them are involved in cooperatives or have alternative ways of selling their products. Becoming a farmer in the Netherlands is not an easy choice; farm installation is an expensive and long process. Most young people taking over a farm take this decision for life. It is their wish to be independent, to be an entrepreneur and to make a living out of their business. They are often eager to learn and have spend time at other farms (abroad). Most of them are far better educated than their parents. 

This drive to be an entrepreneur, their skills and their eagerness to learn can serve as an example for young people in developing countries. As in the Netherlands, rural work often has low status in these countries. Inspired by young Dutch farmers they can turn themselves into entrepreneurs as well. Dutch agro technical knowledge can serve in their education.   

Advocacy
NAJK as an organization has acquired a lot of knowledge over the years about business acquisition, advocacy, working with youth and managing projects . Board members speak regularly to EU-politicians in Brussels, national politicians like the Minister of Agriculture and local government bodies.  Over the years NAJK has build a large network of business companies, cooperatives, civil society and politics. NAJK is a respected partner for business and government where it concerns the interests of young farmers. Because NAJK is an organization for young people, board members cannot be older than 35 years and cannot be part of the board for longer than four years. NAJK is a breeding place for ambitious young people who would like to gain experience in governing and lobbying. Trainers and coaches make sure they acquire the right skills. As an organization NAJK has a clear vision, mission, a solid administration and professional staff members. NAJK feels dedicated to young farmers in less favorable conditions in developing countries. Organization building, lobbying and advocacy are activities in which NAJK can support young farmers in developing countries with .

Activities
a. A preparatory training weekend is organized for a maximum of fifteen NAJK-members that will be very likely to be assigned to facilitate a training / advisory assignment. This training is organized by the Institute of Cultural Affairs and involves:&#61692;	Intercultural Communication
&#61692;	Group Facilitation Methods (including the Focused Conversation Method and the Consensus Workshop Method)
b. A training for NAJK members having been assigned to missions and likely to be employed by Agriterra again. This training will be more in-depth and deal with the specific experiences of the Agripoolers . 
c. The farmers’ organizations in developing countries formulate their needs for training/advice and make a profile of the young farmers needing/participating the advice/training. This list including the profiles should be prepared as early as possible in order to prepare the assignment well. When already familiar with the organization, NAJK can make suggestions for the selection of participants.  
d. NAJK nominates candidates that are considered most suited for the assignment.
e. The selected candidate will be appointed to a NAJK-trainer/employee who will help to prepare the assignment in more detail. An NAJK-employee will help writing the report if necessary . 
f. In case of a visit to the Netherlands, a Terms of Reference including profiles of participants is delivered to NAJK as early as possible. NAJK-employees will be responsible for formulating and hosting a program . Young farmers, board members and trainers will be involved when suited.
g. NAJK will organize a debriefing involving the assignee, Agriterra and NAJK. This will provide a view of occurred bottlenecks and positive elements and will only improve following assignments. When appropriate ideas for a follow-up and key-persons will be identified. When a debriefing is organized by Agriterra NAJK will be invited at all times!
h. NAJK is project leader for the three year  program Support to Young Farmers of Benin in which a total of 75  young farmers will be assisted developing entrepreneurial and marketing skills. Several activities are included:
1. Dragons' Den, identification  of young farmers who can participate in the program. In the Den they present their individual  business plans to the Benin working group and Fupro .
2. Survey continuity of the program, organize and prepare activities and involve NAJK-members

Expected Results
o	Within organizations young farmers are assisted in setting up their own Young Farmers Branch
•	Boards are supported and advised on the design of youth policy
o	Young boards are trained in leadership and management skills 
o	Exchanging experiences with yf organizations on how to organize and manage a farmers association
o	Assist in lobby trainings and stay involved in lobby roadmap 
•	Shared knowledge on agricultural and marketing skills with 30 individual young farmers (including Benin)
o	High quality mission reports and debriefings in all cases
•	Two training weekends with a maximum of 30 NAJK-members trained in intercultural communication and brainstorm methods
o	One training dedicated to Agripoolers likely to be employed again. By dealing with the specific experiences the quality of the Agripoolers services can be improved. This training is open to Agripoolers other than NAJK-members
•	Social and written media used to communicate Agriterra activities to Dutch young farmers.

Young Dutch farmers support rural youth in developing countries in defending their interests, lobbying and in becoming rural entrepreneurs.

Involve more Dutch young farmers in international cooperation.