A large number of young, intelligent, able-bodied Timorese have sat idle since independence in 2002. Many have moved to Timor-Leste’s capital, Dili, in search of economic opportunity. In an effort to create more opportunities in rural areas, USAID has engaged local NGOs to work alongside youth groups outside of Dili and help them manage vegetable gardens and other initiatives that generate income and improve skills development.

In July 2005, the Timorese Young Entrepreneurship Initiative (TYEI), a local NGO that receives support from the USAID Small Grants Program, started to provide training in five locations across Liquica

district. TYEI formed youth groups and provided training on modern agriculture techniques and marketing that the young people use to improve production and generate income from sales. Recently, TYEI expanded its support to youth groups in Baucau district and provided new skills in vegetable garden management. Within three months of the training, 35 youth groups have sold various valuable horticultural commodities on the local market and earned $2,500.

USAID also supports the Agriculture Development Organization (ADO) to work with four youth farmer groups in rural Lautem district. ADO, a local NGO, gives training and basic agricultural tools to the groups and provides ongoing support as they manage their gardens, both for their own consumption needs and for income generation through the sale of products in local markets. ADO has successfully developed skills in 128 young people that will allow them to be more self-sufficient in the future.

Since Timor-Leste’s independence, prices for basic needs in Timor-Leste have increased enormously, including the price of fertilizer. Most of the farmers cannot afford to buy fertilizer, but there is a high demand for the product. In late 2005, Haburas Moris, a local NGO, began to train local farmers to produce organic fertilizer from available local materials. In three months, the youth groups that received the training produced 500 kilograms of fertilizer. These groups use the fertilizer for their farm and sell the excess. The organic fertilizer production program has helped two youth farmer groups meet the demands of the local community and earn money.

USAID continues to help support economic growth in Timor-Leste through its grants for rural youth pilot programs. The small grants focus on creative and experimental projects that improve production skills and help young people earn income and access local markets.

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