Agri-Systems transformation through biomass processing for decent job creation and the extension of social protection in Namibia

The Joint Programme is poised to drive transformative change by integrating labour market interventions with social protection, focusing on gender and youth empowerment, and formalizing the informal economy. It targets scalable job creation within the agriculture and biomass sectors, with plans to prototype in regions where interventions are currently ongoing and expand through financing of MSMEs nationally. The programme aligns with local and national strategies, reinforcing domestic financing through the Integrated National Financing Strategy to support Namibia’s National Development Plan 6. These strategies aim to address poverty, inequality, unemployment and gaps in social protection. Gender responsive initiatives within this JP focus on: a) improvement of policy, legal and budget creation framework, building on reforms announced or initiated by GRN such as extension of maternity benefits; institutionalizing gender responsive budgeting with a focus on budgets for employment and social protection policies; b) creating employment opportunities and jobs in agriculture and biomass sector where a share of jobs will be targeted to women and girls with new services addressing care obligations of women workers; and d) ensuring representation of women and girls in all policy, legal and budget planning process on national level as well as in local job creation interventions. An estimated 5,000 recipients, among them 60% women, will benefit indirectly from the activities of the Joint Programme. Approximately 3,050 shall access new and decent jobs and social protection services – particularly women, youth and persons with disabilities. This Joint Programme will be implemented under the leadership of Government of Republic of Namibia (GRN) within the existing coordination mechanisms including the UNSDCF framework. The lead Government agencies are the Ministry of Labour, Industrial Relations and Employment Creation (MLIREC); Ministry of Finance and Public Enterprises (MoFPE); and the National Planning Commission (NPC). The Troika+ consists of three (3) co-chairs: the Minister of FPE, Director-General of NPC and Minister of MLIREC, who will have the responsibility for all-round high-level coordination of the GA and will report to His Excellency the President of GRN. To facilitate smooth implementation and oversight of the JP, a Steering Committee and a Joint Programme Team is assigned.

Project symbol

NAM/24/50/UND

Admin unit

CO-Harare

Start date

23/01/2025

End date

29/01/2027

Total allocation

800000

Total expenditure

Status

Active

323215

Development Partners

Multi Partner Trust Fund Office, UNDP

Country/Countries

Namibia

Outcomes

Outcome 3: Full and productive employment for just transitions
Outcome 7: Universal social protection
Outcome 4: Sustainable enterprises for inclusive growth and decent work
Output 9.3. Improved coherence in support and action to facilitate a just transition towards environmentally sustainable economies and societies for all
Output 9.1. Improved coherence in multilateral support for the development and financing of integrated policy responses for social justice through decent work