Poor populations represent a potential market that can be harnessed once economic operators manage to adapt to the specificities and needs of this type of consumer. A “poverty-friendly” economic approach could foster lower-cost products and services benefitting the majority, for which women and NEETS would be a link in the value chain. In addition, transitioning from informal to formal employment should be addressed. Indeed, empowerment also requires the capacity to turn youth’s economic activities into recognized, valued activities entitling them to social protection schemes.
The development of a community farming model in rural Med areas, as an innovative economic model inspired by social and solidarity economy principles will allow to empower community and strengthen community living concept.
This project will be executed in 2 pilot projects in 2 rural areas in the Mediterranean partner countries (Lebanon and another partner country). The project focuses on agriculture, which is more sustainable, providing alternative solutions to environmental problems through recycling, renewable energy and organic production of goods. This project will benefit from the outputs and success stories of previously EU-funded projects to create a community farming system involving rural youth, women and NEETS, using eco-friendly farming tools and waste management models. The innovation resides in the adoption of a new economic model for community farming, a global concept simple and easy to replicate, including new social activities and aiming at strengthening the community and providing a safe enabling environment managed by social actors. While social and solidarity economy focuses on small-scale activities, our project focuses on mega-farming to address raw material purchase costs and other limitations.