International Youth Collaboration: how the Netherlands and South African are setting an example

AgriYouth Without Borders (AYWB) is a recently formed organisation which has ambitions to represent the interests of youth in the agriculture sector, starting in South Africa (SA) and expanding into Africa as they grow. Over the past several months, their establishment was supported by Nederlands Agrarisch Jongeren Kotakt (NAJK), who shared their knowledge and experience as a Dutch organisation who represents the interests of young farmers. This way of working together is a unique example of international collaboration between youth.

A group of eight people pose around a banner for a photo. The banner contains the logo of the AgriYouth Without Borders logo.
Beeld: ©Jannyke van Ballegooijen
The first board members of AgriYouth Without Borders with LAN Pretoria and NAJK at the launch event on the 28th of September 2024. Left-to-Right: Jannyke van Ballegooijen (NAJK), Méa Thibaut, Nqobile Macuacua, Patricia Rugusha, Xayaan Maasdorp, Sonique Nagel, William Bowden (LAN Pretoria), Gerben Boom (NAJK), absent: Lindo Mdletshe, Zandile Kumalo

How it all began

During the state visit to SA in 2023, Former Minister Piet Adema met with Joshua Ngoma, founder of Enterprising Africa Regional Network (EARN), an organisation dedicated to developing young agripreneurs. Together they discussed the importance of youth involvement in the agri sector and it was noted the absence of a consolidated youth representation in SA. This spurred the idea of taking advantage of international collaboration to support the creation of an organisation in South Africa. NAJK for example could share their experiences with South African youth who want to form a similar body.

The process

The process kicked off in May when NAJK visited South Africa to participate in a three-day workshop with youth and students. There was an impressive turnout of more than 150 young people, who were hosted at EARN’s premises. During the workshops, young people identified the challenges they face to succeed in agriculture, and it was realised that youth in both South Africa and the Netherlands face common challenges, namely access to land and finance, amongst others. Taking these challenges into account, in breakaway groups the youth brainstormed the kind of organisation that could be formed to solve these challenges. NAJK introduced themselves and explained the structure of their organisation and how they could support their counterparts in South Africa to establish a similar body. From these workshops, EARN identified key young people and students who were enthusiastic about the initiative and could take a lead in its development.

From May to September, these youth held weekly meetings with NAJK where they worked together to form a founding document that lays the foundation of the organisation. NAJK provided advice and the LAN team at the Embassy participated to keep up to date with the process. While the process took some time to find its feet initially, eventually the youth showed their leadership and determination, and began to confidently take a lead in the process.

Launch Day and the future

The official launch event of AgriYouth Without Borders took place on the 28th of September, with a strong turnout and representation of key stakeholders such as AgriSA (South Africa’s equivalent to LTO) and Mpumalanga Green Cluster, a provincial green development agency, but also Dutch organisations such as Delphy and Koppert. The launch allowed the organisation to make itself known to other interested youth and stakeholders in the agri sector in SA. Here they indicated the way forward, showcasing initial projects they intend to start, which includes educating young people about agriculture in schools. But now that the organisation has launched, the real work begins and these youth are dreaming big!

While they are currently based in Gauteng province, they have plans to establish representation in all nine provinces of South Africa, and later international chapters in other African countries. Their role will be to act as the link between youth, the sector and policymakers with whom they can engage to ensure that the interests of young people in agriculture are considered. AYWB intends to empower their young members with knowledge by hosting webinars and information sessions on topics such as access to funding or best practices in their relevant sub-sectors. Additionally, with the sector, they plan to host networking events so that young people can become acquainted with important stakeholders, but also for existing farmers and businesses to find talented young people – the future agricultural leaders!

Youth is also a priority of the Minister of Agriculture and will be a key subject during South Africa’s chairmanship of the G20 next year, which demonstrates South Africa’s commitment to youth engagement and creates an enabling environment for organisations like AYWB.

The launch of AYWB is a unique example of how international knowledge sharing and collaboration between youth can be leveraged to support each other. These international collaborations can create solidarity and pave the way for further youth involvement in agriculture. Hopefully this unique experience leads the way for further cross-border cooperation amongst young people in farming. This is vital to develop our future growers and ensure global food security.

For more information visit the AYWB website: Agri Youth without Borders (aywb.org.za)

Or follow them on instagram: @agriyouth_withoutborders

If you would like to speak to the LAN team in Pretoria about this initiative, email us on: pre-lvvn@minbuza.nl 

Lancering Zuid-Afrikaanse jonge boeren organisatie ‘Agri Youth without Borders’ (schuttelaar.nl)