UNITAR Online Catalogue
UNITAR RISE-LAB 2026 South Sudan Programme Phase One: Advancing Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation for Food Security
Prosperity
Background
The programme on Emergency Assistance for Food Security in South Sudan: Advancing Youth Skills in Business and Innovation for Food Security aims to mobilize and empower young entrepreneurs, women, civil servants, and representatives of the private and civil society sectors to address urgent food-system challenges through sustainable green businesses and community-led projects. Implemented through three progressive phases, the programme begins with foundational online learning in entrepreneurship, food security, and climate-smart agribusiness, followed by advanced project development and an intensive workshop, and concludes with mentorship to produce launch-ready business and project plans.
Event Objectives
The initiative aims to strengthen food security and sustainable livelihoods in South Sudan by equipping women and youth with the skills, tools, networks, and confidence to establish or expand green businesses and projects that respond to local food-system needs and contribute to inclusive economic development.
Learning Objectives
Participants will develop entrepreneurial, innovation, financial management, leadership, and technical agribusiness skills; identify viable food-security opportunities; assess market needs; and design feasible, inclusive, and climate-smart business or project plans that can generate income and support resilient local food systems.
Content and Structure
The 12-month programme includes three progressive phases. Phase I provides approximately 150 participants with self-paced online training and live webinars on entrepreneurship, food security, sustainable agribusiness, and business management. Around 15 top performers will advance to Phase II for intensive project development, expert-led sessions (life webinars), and peer collaboration. Phase III will provide around 15 finalists with tailored mentorship support to refine their initiatives into launch-ready business or project plans with an in-country or regional in-person workshop.
Methodology
The programme combines mobile-first, self-paced online modules, interactive webinars, discussion forums, peer learning, practical assignments, coaching, expert mentoring, and an in-person workshop. Its learner-centred approach is designed for low-bandwidth environments and emphasizes practical application, market validation, collaboration, and continuous feedback from local, regional, and Japanese experts.
Targeted Audience
The programme targets around 150 South Sudanese women and youth aged 18–40, including existing and aspiring entrepreneurs, students, recent graduates, civil servants, and representatives of the private sector and civil society. Applicants should be motivated to improve food security, committed to addressing local challenges, and proficient in English.
Additional Information
Delivered by UNITAR’s Division for Prosperity, the programme is offered free of charge with the generous support of the Government and People of Japan. It will draw on partnerships with South Sudanese institutions, the UN Country Team, civil society, the private sector, academic institutions, farmer and youth networks, and Japanese companies and experts. The initiative supports inclusive entrepreneurship, climate-smart agribusiness, local ownership, and progress towards SDGs 1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 10, 13, and 17.