Promoting Green Jobs for the Youth of Andohahela, Madagascar while preserving a World Heritage site

UNESCO is working in close collaboration with the Ministry of Technical Education and Vocational Training of Madagascar (METFP) for the creation of green jobs to tackle youth unemployment and strengthen the protection of Rainforests of the Atsinanana, UNESCO World Natural Heritage site.

Located in the south-east of Madagascar, Andohahela straddles Fort-Dauphin and Amboasary Sud in Anosy Region. 82% of the area in Andohahela is covered by rainforests and its National Park, has received the designation of a World Natural Heritage Site. However, the World Heritage site was enlisted as a World Heritage in Danger since 2010 due to various anthropogenic pressures, which threaten the heritage integrity.

In this regard, the UNESCO project “Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Natural Resource Management for Integrated Community Development in National Parks of Madagascar (BIOCOM)”, funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), entails among others, activities aiming at supporting Madagascar in its efforts of removing the property from the danger list through the conservation of natural resources, promotion of sustainable livelihoods of local communities and engagement of youth and women in natural resources governance through education and vocational training. It is within this framework that the activity of training the youth on photovoltaic systems was conceptualized and being implemented.

Ms. Gabriella Vavitsara Rahantanirina, the Minister of Technical Education and Vocational Training of Madagascar, joined the BIOCOM project team on 16 May 2022 in the laying of the foundation of the vocational training centre in Ranopiso, Anosy Region. She validated the activity of creating green jobs through the establishment of professions/sectors in photovoltaic systems for youth.

As a strategic partner of the BIOCOM project, the METFP will ensure the provision of trainers for the vocational training centre, who will benefit from capacity building activities in the solar system sector. The centre will provide young people with technical skills to better integrate them into the job market and improve their standard of living.

The BIOCOM project will support the launch of the centre and capacitate 150 young people, at least 30% of whom would be women. The project envisages that the use of photovoltaic energy by local communities will contribute to the reduction the massive use of charcoal and increase green electricity provision.