As part of TotalEnergies’ social investment strategy, the Catalisa project is creating new opportunities for producers and youth in Cabo Delgado, Mozambique, through inclusive, private sector-led economic development. By supporting the development of strong agro-industrial enterprises and developing the skills of youth, the project is catalyzing increased investment, incomes, local jobs and the creation and growth of self-sustaining businesses, having impacted over 8,193 individuals to-date. Throughout its 5-year period (2018-2022).
Catalisa is working within two dimensions
Agribusiness development
In order to increase local investment in the local horticulture and poultry value chains.
Employment opportunities for young people
Aimed at training young people for formal employment or becoming entrepreneurs.
Agribusiness development
Catalisa is working with smallholder farmers and 17 major agribusiness partners to encourage and accelerate commercial horticultural and poultry production in Cabo Delgado to increase incomes and create new jobs.
Horticulture
Approximately 15,000 farmers produce vegetables in the Cabo Delgado province, most of whom farm on an area of less than 1 hectare of land. However, the quality, consistency, and reliability of fresh produce are inadequate to meet current and projected demand.
Catalisa provides business advisory services, financial assistance to fund the business growth of farmers and aggregators, and technical assistance and financing for smallholder farmers integrated into the supply chain.
In the horticulture component, Catalisa is developing an innovative, replicable and inclusive business model for commercial horticultural production by smallholder farmers that can serve the Cabo Delgado market. This business model includes commercial aggregators or agribusiness partners, and smallholder producers, acting as outgrowers or independent producers, with the potential to transform key agricultural sectors across the province.
Poultry Farming
Within the poultry value chain, Catalisa is working with local production companies and private sector partners to produce eggs and increase broiler production, as poultry products have become the most important source of animal protein in Mozambique. Currently, two models are being implemented as part of the poultry component:
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- One model involves a large producer located in the urban Pemba area, who produces eggs and chicken, but also aggregates the production of other breeders;
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- And the other model involves producers in rural areas, who sell eggs within their communities, selling the surplus to the cities.
These models enable the creation of a steady local supply of eggs, further strengthening the development of the poultry value chain, contributing to improved nutrition in the community and increasing the distribution capacity of local suppliers.
Youth
The Catalisa Youth training program, formerly implemented by subcontractor Azul Consultoria in partnership with TechnoServe, has had the goal from its inception to train over 1,000 youth in the district of Palma, Cabo Delgado, to become valuable economic agents, engaged citizens, and responsible leaders. To date, the program has trained 504 young people, but activities have been altered due to the insecurity in the Region. Prior to the attacks in Palma, which occurred on 24 March 2021, the program used an innovative model for youth skills training and mentorship that focused on developing life skills, entrepreneurial skills and vocational skills.
The program curriculum was specially developed for the Palma context, with implementation in modules on:
- Life Skills
- Entrepreneurship
- Employability
- English Language
- Information Technologies, with transversal themes such as Communication and Gender
The three-month course was followed by 9 months of personalized mentoring for the best students, as well as post-graduate support for all interested graduates.
Catalisa still feels responsible for the 504 young people who participated in the training program, and who were still receiving post-training support until the attack in Palma. Therefore, the Project designed a new plan, which includes post-attack aftercare services, focusing on creating an impact by integrating young people into the local workforce, through linkages to jobs or internships. The project is now placing young graduates in jobs or internships, either within Cabo Delgado or outside the province. These youth have already received training and have demonstrated the potential to be active participants in the workforce if given the opportunity. By assisting with job placement during this difficult period, the program will maintain the progress that has been made and honor a commitment made to the youth to help them find meaningful livelihood opportunities.
The Catalisa Youth team works with various partners to facilitate youth access to the labour market by promoting constructive partnerships with neighbouring communities, the private sector, other vocational and technical training providers and government institutions.
In addition to supporting young people in accessing the labour market or internships, Catalisa has financed the business plans of young entrepreneurs, either new or who had received funding in Palma but lost their businesses due to the attack on Palma.
Catalisa Youth training program, implemented by subcontractor Azul Consultoria in partnership with TechnoServe, has had the goal from its inception to train over 1,000 youth in the district of Palma, Cabo Delgado, to become valuable economic agents, engaged citizens, and responsible leaders. To date, the program has trained 504 young people, but activities have been altered due to the insecurity in the Region. Prior to the attacks in Palma, which occurred on 24 March 2021, the program used an innovative model for youth skills training and mentorship that focused on developing life skills, entrepreneurial skills and vocational skills.
Management Team
