Society
Rural Entrepreneurship: PROGRES Program Gains Momentum for Youth Integration
Madagascar's economic future inevitably depends on its rural youth. Facing major challenges of unemployment, underemployment, and the dominance of the informal sector in rural areas, entrepreneurship has become more than ever a strategic lever. It is with this in mind that the Program for Strengthening Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Supporting Economic Integration of Rural Youth (PROGRES) is taking a decisive step in professionalizing its support services. A series of strategic workshops organized last week brought together key stakeholders to lay the foundations for a more effective and inclusive training system. The central challenge lies in harmonizing incubation pathways and finalizing the pre-incubation framework. This initiative, supported by the International Labour Organization (ILO) through its Decent Work Country Programme (DWCP 2024–2026), aims to overcome persistent obstacles such as language barriers and lack of post-training follow-up. Through translation and adaptation of proven ILO tools, particularly the GERME methodology in Malagasy, project promoters intend to ensure better accessibility and effective implementation on the ground. The three-day work sessions enabled stakeholders to share experiences from incubation centers, structure tailored educational content, and precisely identify capacity-building needs for trainers. Conducted in co-construction with the ENIFAR team and a pool of certified trainers, this participatory approach meets ILO quality and ethics standards. By structuring comprehensive pathways from awareness-raising to personalized coaching, the PROGRES program aims to transform the entrepreneurial potential of rural youth into sustainable enterprises that generate decent jobs and strengthen economic resilience across Madagascar's regions.
Source: Midi Madagasikara