The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) have signed a USD 1.2 million(approximately 1.7 billion Frw) grant agreement to boost sustainable agriculture and youth employment in Rwanda’s Gatsibo District. The signing ceremony in Kigali brought together Jinhwa Kim, KOICA Country Director, and Kaori Ura, WFP Rwanda Deputy Country Director.

The funding forms part of a larger USD 14.8 million initiative, Supporting Agricultural Climate Resilience and Creating Green Jobs for Youth in Rural Communities (CRCSP), which will run from 2025 to 2030.

“This partnership shows how collaboration can create lasting impact,” said Kim. “KOICA is committed to supporting Rwanda and WFP in building resilient livelihoods, green growth, and inclusive prosperity.”

Led by the Rwanda Agriculture and Animal Resources Development Board (RAB) under MINAGRI, the project will promote sustainable land use, restore 500 hectares of marshland, and develop rural infrastructure. WFP’s role focuses on empowering 340 vulnerable youth and women through vocational training, business coaching, and financial access. It will also support 60 youth-led Farmer Service Centers, reaching an additional 400 people with skills and job opportunities.

“This collaboration with KOICA strengthens Rwanda’s climate resilience while creating opportunities for young people,” noted Ura. “By investing in skills and inclusive agribusiness, we are helping youth and women become more self-reliant and future-ready.”

The CRCSP project blends large-scale infrastructure, such as flood protection and processing facilities, with grassroots empowerment, positioning youth and women as key drivers of local food system transformation.

This marks another milestone in KOICA and WFP’s decade-long collaboration with Rwanda, which has already mobilized USD 21.2 million since 2012 to foster rural development and inclusive economic growth.