Foresight for the Future of Youth in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems
In 2022, The Mastercard Foundation collaborated with Systemic Link as part of the Foresight for Systems Change in Africa (FOSCA) initiative. The partnership aimed to enhance capabilities in evidence-based knowledge and innovation through foresight for systems change. Systemic Link’s efforts include online workshops for the Foundation’s Research, Impact, and Strategy Staff, a scoping study of potential African partners in foresight studies, and the development of a concept note in collaboration with AGRA & FARA on youth and agri-food systems foresight case study.
Additionally, Systemic Link produced a report on findings from the implementation of the youth and agri-food systems foresight case study, a web platform with foresight studies resource materials and graphics, and an institutional competency framework to assess partner support needs.
Other deliverables comprise a preliminary outline and background materials for a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) course, a guide on good practices for codifying and socializing steps outlined in landscaping/scoping, a workshop engaging youth and representatives of marginalized communities on the foresight case study, and a learning workshop for Foundation staff on lessons from the youth and agri-food use case study, emphasizing foresight and systems approaches for strengthening pathways to transformation.
 |
Optimizing Opportunities for Youth Employment in Africa’s Agri-Food System. A Foresight for Systems Change Initiative.
This report draws insights from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) 2019 Rural Development Report and the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) 2021 report. The objective is to provide a future-oriented perspective on the opportunities and risks for youth employment in the sector. The report emphasizes the value of foresight and scenario analysis in contributing to the transformation of food systems, with a focus on supporting government policy, strategy, and private investment. |
What is the Future for Youth in Africa’s Agri-Food Systems? A Foresight Analysis.
WHAT IF WE COULD SEE THE FUTURE? We cannot fully see the future … but we can have a feel of it and approach it guided! Our work on Foresight Analysis in Agri-Food Systems has just yielded a knowledge product that should interest you. This product is unique in that it is entirely youth-driven. Over 40 young people in the agri-food systems drawn from different countries worked for four days trying to understand what their future in the agrifood space looks like. They painted four possible future scenarios, identified 12 critical uncertainties in the sector, and then, importantly, mapped out a pathway towards youth-led and youth-centred food sufficiency that provides and promotes youth employment in the sector for the continent. We still cannot see all the future, but now we have guidance on how best to prepare for and even influence the future in the agri-food space! |
 |
Watch the video to learn more about the workshops
Optimizing Opportunities for Youth Employment in Africa’s Agri-Food System. A Foresight for Systems Change Initiative.A series of workshops and discussion sessions were held in Mombasa, Kenya, to gain critical insights and perspectives on the potential opportunities and risks for dignified and fulfilling work for youth in the African agri-food systems. Foresight4Food, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA), AGRA and Mastercard Foundation collaborated on the project. |
Read more about our work in Agriculture
