A new partnership between the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is set to bring lasting change to rural communities in Rwanda. With a grant of USD 1.2 million, the two organizations are working together to promote sustainable agriculture and create employment opportunities for youth in Gatsibo District. The funding is part of a much larger effort under the USD 14.8 million “Supporting Agricultural Climate Resilience and Creating Green Jobs for Youth in Rural Communities (CRCSP)” project, which will run from 2025 to 2030.
The agreement was signed in Kigali by KOICA Country Director Jinhwa Kim and WFP Rwanda Deputy Country Director Kaori Ura. Both leaders highlighted the project as a milestone in the journey toward building resilient livelihoods, fostering green growth and ensuring inclusive prosperity. For KOICA, this partnership reinforces its long-standing commitment to working closely with the Government of Rwanda and development partners like WFP. For WFP, the initiative strengthens its role in supporting Rwanda’s climate resilience strategies while also empowering youth and women to play a bigger role in shaping the future of agriculture.
The project will be implemented under the leadership of the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) within the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources (MINAGRI). Its design reflects Rwanda’s growing focus on linking sustainable land use with inclusive economic growth. Among its key goals is the rehabilitation of 500 hectares of marshland, ensuring that fertile land is restored and made available for productive use. The initiative also includes the development of rural infrastructure that will benefit local communities, from improved flood protection to post-harvest processing facilities that reduce losses and add value to crops.
But perhaps the most transformative part of the project lies in its people-centered approach. WFP will lead efforts to empower 340 vulnerable youth and women through vocational training, entrepreneurial coaching and better access to financial and market services. These opportunities are designed to give young people and women the tools they need to turn their ideas into real businesses and livelihoods. At the same time, the project will establish 60 youth-led Farmer Service Centers. These centers will not only offer employment but also serve as hubs for knowledge, resources and services that can benefit up to 400 additional community members.
By weaving together infrastructure development with human capacity building, the CRCSP project takes a holistic approach. It recognizes that climate resilience cannot be achieved without social inclusion and that green jobs must go hand in hand with environmental sustainability. Young people in rural areas often face limited opportunities and women in particular are at risk of being left behind in traditional agricultural systems. This initiative responds directly to those gaps, creating a platform where both groups can thrive.
Speaking at the signing, Jinhwa Kim underlined the importance of collaboration. He described the project as an example of how joint efforts can deliver results that last well beyond the life of the funding. By combining resources and expertise, KOICA, WFP and the Government of Rwanda are setting up systems that will strengthen communities for years to come.
Kaori Ura echoed this vision, noting that the project aligns with WFP’s focus on building resilience and self-reliance. For her, the investment in youth and women is not just about employment but about changing the way food systems operate in Rwanda. By giving vulnerable groups a bigger role in agribusiness, the country will be better prepared to handle future challenges, whether from climate change or economic pressures.
Since 2012, KOICA has contributed USD 21.2 million through WFP to advance rural development and inclusive growth in Rwanda. This history of collaboration provides a strong foundation for the new initiative, which is one of the most comprehensive to date. With its emphasis on marshland rehabilitation, flood protection, green jobs and entrepreneurial skills, the CRCSP project reflects an integrated model that looks beyond short-term gains. It is about shaping a future where agriculture is both sustainable and profitable, where young people see farming as an opportunity rather than a last resort and where women have equal access to the tools and markets they need to succeed.
