During the COVID-19 crisis, agricultural sector plays critical role in securing the food value chain and ensuring stable food supply. The sector can be regarded as area of “essential” work –that can continue even when other parts of the economy come to a halt. At the same time the industry remains the biggest employer, providing millions of jobs to rural people. And this is where people with disabilities can find new employment opportunities.

With EU and UNDP support the Begoml Boarding School in Dokshitsky district of the Viciebsk region introduced a learning course in agriculture for young people with learning disabilities. An old idle greenhouse was restored and turned into a green lab were young people learn the basics of agriculture and land management practices. A comprehensive course designed especially for the Boarding School in close partnership with the specialists from the Viciebsk State University helped the students to get profound theoretical knowledge in different aspects of agricultural production.

Equipped with solid labor skills in agriculture the young people with disabilities can found employment in the sector, get a meaningful job and a stable source of income even amid the crises like COVID-19.

As a part of the UNDP’s socio-economic recovery framework for Belarus, together with our national and business partners we will develop innovative workforce policies and strategic workforce development plans, ensuring that people with disabilities have access to quality meaningful employment opportunities during and after the COVID-19.