Improved Livelihood for Street-Connected Youth through Sustainable Farming

The Improved Livelihood for Street-Connected Youth Through Sustainable Farming was a one-year project that sought to establish a horticulture and piggery training program to provide young people with hands-on skills in farming and animal husbandry with the support of the City of Sion in Switzerland and Eirene Suisse. Many beneficiaries of Hashtag Gulu expressed interest in agricultural livelihoods, recognising the sector’s economic potential.

Through this initiative, we:

• Trained youth in modern farming techniques, pig rearing, and agribusiness.
• Developed an income-generating social enterprise that supports Hashtag Gulu’s sustainability.
• Facilitated job placements and entrepreneurship opportunities for graduates of the program.
• Supported reintegration efforts by enabling some beneficiaries to return to their families with viable skills for self-reliance.

The project was implemented in two phases, beginning with an initial training in Gulu Town, where 10 young people received foundational agricultural knowledge on a small plot near Hashtag Gulu’s offices. This was followed by a second phase on newly acquired farmland, where 3 trainees were selected to engage in large-scale farming and piggery activities.