RYTHM Foundation, the social impact arm of the QI Group, has partnered with Plan International (Indonesia) to launch the Green Skills Project in Manggarai, East Nusa Tenggara. The initiative equips youth and women with climate smart agriculture skills and green job opportunities, helping them build sustainable livelihoods while strengthening community resilience to climate change.
Championing Sustainable Futures
Agriculture is the backbone of Manggarai’s economy, yet many farmers remain dependent on practices that strain the environment and provide limited economic security. At the same time, youth unemployment and gender gaps persist, leaving untapped potential across the region.
The Green Skills Project addresses these challenges by:
• Training 200 youth (aged 18 to 29), with at least 60% women, in climate smart agriculture (CSA) that integrates sustainability and inclusivity
• Supporting 10 youth farmer groups in six villages to create eco-friendly business plans, build resilience, and access funding opportunities
• Partnering with the Manggarai District Agriculture Office and local financial institutions to strengthen community wide adoption of CSA
• Promoting youth champions, particularly women, to act as role models and catalysts for change in their communities
Responding to Global Needs
Globally, the demand for green skills is rising faster than the supply of talent. The World Economic Forum notes that green jobs are expanding at a pace that outstrips the number of workers with the right skills, underscoring the urgency of initiatives like this. By equipping rural youth with climate smart agricultural knowledge, the Green Skills Project helps close this gap and ensures that communities are not left behind in the transition to sustainable economies.
Advancing the Sustainable Development Goals
The Green Skills Project contributes directly to several UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:
• SDG 4: Quality Education – providing training and capacity building for youth
• SDG 5: Gender Equality – empowering young women as leaders in sustainable farming
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – generating green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – encouraging sustainable agricultural practices
• SDG 13: Climate Action – building resilience against climate change through eco friendly farming
• SDG 15: Life on Land – promoting land stewardship and biodiversity protection
Driving Inclusive Change
For RYTHM Foundation, the Green Skills Project reflects our mission to “Raise Yourself to Help Mankind.” By placing youth and women at the centre of climate smart agriculture, we aim to unlock potential, create resilient livelihoods, and contribute to the global call for inclusive and climate resilient development.
