CacaoConecta - Empowering youth through integrated productive and tourism development

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO, 2023), Bolivia has the highest rate of informal employment in the region, with 80% of the workforce engaged in informal jobs. This issue disproportionately affects young people, who make up approximately 25% of the total population. In addition, there is a lack of economic opportunities and employability for youth. Youth unemployment reached 14% in 2020, with young women experiencing a higher rate of 17% compared to 12% among young men. Youth labour market insertion is further hampered by a significant mismatch between educational training and the technical skills demanded by the labour market. This is particularly evident in the project intervention areas, where limited formal employment opportunities have driven youth migration to urban centres. Young women face even greater challenges due to reduced access to employment and increased vulnerability linked to early motherhood. The lack of employability and economic opportunities, especially in rural and productive municipalities, perpetuates poverty and generates significant social and environmental consequences, including youth involvement in informal and often harmful economic activities such as illegal mining. Another critical challenge is the insufficient integration between the two sectors with the greatest employment potential, namely the productive and tourism sectors, which limits young people’s inclusion in promising and sustainable economic initiatives.

This project aims to enhance access to employment, self employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for vulnerable youth in the municipalities of La Paz, San Buenaventura, Palos Blancos, Alto Beni and Rurrenabaque. It addresses the interlinked challenges of youth unemployment, environmental degradation and untapped economic potential. The overarching goal is to strengthen dialogue and collaboration among the private sector, civil society and public institutions in order to establish a Sustainable Cocoa Agro Tourism Corridor. This corridor will act as a catalyst for local economic activation in the targeted municipalities by promoting youth participation in sustainable value chains. To achieve this, the project focuses on building local capacities in sustainable cocoa production, technological innovation, employability and entrepreneurship within the tourism and hospitality sectors.

In partnership with local governments and the private sector, the project will improve infrastructure, market access and institutional coordination. Public private dialogue platforms and an interinstitutional committee will support the strategic planning required to position the corridor as a long term driver of sustainable development. Environmental sustainability will be strengthened through training in environmentally friendly tourism, energy efficiency and agroecological practices that protect biodiversity and reduce harmful activities. Young producers will receive support in business planning and marketing, enabling them to develop value added products and agrotourism experiences. Vulnerable youth will gain hands on training with local companies, improving their employability in key sectors and offering a locally driven, scalable response to structural challenges.