In many Timorese communities, traditional norms still restrict women from leadership roles and access to training opportunities. As a result, many women face barriers to becoming economically empowered and independent.
The Agroforestry Skills Programme, implemented by the International Labour Organization (ILO) and funded by the European Union, aims to address these barriers by strengthening skills development and creating opportunities for women to become agents of change within their communities.
Through training in agroforestry, financial literacy and competency-based education, the programme is helping women, youth and farmers build sustainable livelihoods and participate more actively in the country's economic development.
Ana Maria da Costa: Empowering women through skills and entrepreneurship
© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO
Ana Maria da Costa Freitas began her career with the Instituto de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Empresarial (IADE) in 2004 in an administrative role. Over the years, her dedication led her to become Director of IADE's Baucau Municipal Office in 2023 and one of the trainers delivering Financial Education and Entrepreneurship training using the ILO's Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) methodology in 2024.
Alongside managing programmes and coordinating partnerships, Ana provides financial education and entrepreneurship training under the ILO's Agroforestry Skills Programme. Her training equips women, youth and farmers with practical business skills such as financial management, cost calculation, market analysis and developing innovative business ideas linked to agroforestry.
I take great pride in helping others, especially young people, gain the business knowledge and skills they need to pursue business ventures. Watching them grow from learners into confident entrepreneurs and build their own businesses has been deeply transformative for me as well.
Her trainees are already creating positive change in their communities. One of them, Genoveva, runs a Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) business. With improved skills in cost calculation, pricing and business planning, her enterprise has grown significantly and now generates around US$500 per day.
For Ana, stories like this demonstrate how skills development and the right guidance can open new opportunities for women, helping them break free from financial dependency and build better futures. She also continues to support women's groups through coaching and follow-up visits.
"Women have creativity and strength. You can create income, start a business and support your family based on three principles: invest in your skills, trust your potential and lift others as you rise," she concluded.
Sabina da Costa: Championing women farmers in Timor-Leste
© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO
Sabina da Costa is a long-time trainer at the National Centre for Employment and Vocational Training (CNEFP) in Tibar, Timor-Leste. Through training and mentoring, she helps farmers develop practical skills for sustainable livelihoods, focusing on horticulture and climate resilience.
As the lead trainer of the ILO's Agroforestry Skills Programme on agroforestry techniques and high-value crops such as vanilla and cacao, Sabina has trained more than 100 cacao and vanilla farmers across several municipalities. She has also supported hundreds of other learners through CNEFP's broader training programmes.
Women are the backbone of agriculture in Timor-Leste. When women lead as trainers, farmers and changemakers, everyone benefits. The land regenerates, families prosper and communities flourish
Her training focuses on practical, hands-on skills, including sustainable land management, producing organic fertilizers, nurturing trees, harvesting crops at optimal quality and processing products to meet market standards.
Many trained farmers are now applying these techniques by forming farmer groups, establishing demonstration plots and sharing improved farming practices. They are also pooling resources such as tools, seedlings and fertilizers to strengthen their productivity.
Sabina is also a strong advocate for women's participation in agriculture. "Women are the backbone of agriculture in Timor-Leste," she said. "When women lead as trainers, farmers and changemakers, everyone benefits. The land regenerates, families prosper and communities flourish."
Junita da Costa: Empowering women by challenging tradition
© Nuncio Da Costa/ILO
As Director of the Cablaqui Community Development Center (CCDC) in Manufahi, Junita da Costa oversees the centre's operations, trainers and more than 200 students. The centre provides training in horticulture and agricultural practices.
Seeking to strengthen her leadership and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) management skills, Junita participated in several training courses delivered through the ILO's Agroforestry Skills Programme. These included TVET management, financial education, career guidance, soft skills development, Certificate III in Competency-Based Education and Training (CBET), and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) for cacao.
Women are often encouraged to stay home, which can leave them dependent and vulnerable. We can change that. It motivates me to lead and bring change for the next generation of girls and women.
With these new skills, Junita has organized more than 185 cacao farmers into groups, delivered training on improved farming techniques and established a demonstration plot to showcase practical methods. Five trainers from the centre have also completed the CBET certification through the programme.
Beyond improving agricultural skills, Junita is helping challenge social norms that limit women's roles in leadership and skills development. "Women are often encouraged to stay home, which can leave them dependent and vulnerable," she explained. "We can change that. It motivates me to lead and bring change for the next generation of girls and women."
Through the work of trainers like Ana, Sabina and Junita, the Agroforestry Skills Programme is not only strengthening livelihoods but also advancing women's leadership and economic empowerment across Timor-Leste.
