Women trainers participating in a programme supported by the International Labour Organization are helping transform livelihoods and promote leadership among women in Timor-Leste. Through the Agroforestry Skills Programme, three trainers are not only improving their own professional paths but also empowering others in their communities to build sustainable futures.
In many Timorese communities, traditional social norms continue to limit women’s access to leadership roles and training opportunities, making economic independence more difficult to achieve. The programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by the ILO, seeks to address these barriers by strengthening skills development and encouraging women to become agents of change. By offering training in agroforestry, financial literacy and competency-based education, the initiative supports women, youth and farmers in developing sustainable livelihoods and contributing to the country’s economic growth.
One of the trainers, Ana Maria da Costa Freitas, began her career in 2004 with the Instituto de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Empresarial (IADE) in an administrative role. Over time, her commitment led to her appointment as Director of IADE’s Baucau Municipal Office in 2023. She later became a trainer delivering financial education and entrepreneurship sessions using the ILO’s Start and Improve Your Business methodology. Through the Agroforestry Skills Programme, she equips women, youth and farmers with practical business knowledge such as financial management, cost calculation, market analysis and the development of innovative business ideas linked to agroforestry. Her trainees have already begun applying these skills in their communities. One participant, for example, expanded a Virgin Coconut Oil business after gaining better knowledge of pricing, cost planning and business strategy. For Ana, these outcomes show how access to training and guidance can help women overcome financial dependency and create new opportunities.
Another trainer, Sabina da Costa, works at the National Centre for Employment and Vocational Training in Tibar, where she supports farmers in building skills for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience. As the lead trainer on agroforestry techniques and high-value crops such as vanilla and cacao, she has trained more than 100 farmers across several municipalities, while also mentoring many others through broader training programmes. Her sessions focus on hands-on practices including sustainable land management, producing organic fertilizers, nurturing trees, harvesting crops at the right stage and processing products to meet market standards. Farmers who completed the training have begun forming groups, setting up demonstration plots and sharing improved practices while pooling resources such as tools, seedlings and fertilizers. Sabina is also a strong advocate for women’s involvement in agriculture, emphasizing that when women lead as trainers and farmers, both communities and the environment benefit.
The programme has also strengthened the leadership of Junita da Costa, Director of the Cablaqui Community Development Center in Manufahi. She oversees the centre’s operations, trainers and more than 200 students while promoting training in horticulture and agricultural practices. Through courses offered by the programme, Junita enhanced her management and technical and vocational education skills, including training in competency-based education, financial literacy and good agricultural practices for cacao. With these new capabilities, she has organized more than 185 cacao farmers into groups, provided training on improved farming methods and established a demonstration plot to showcase effective techniques. Several trainers from the centre have also completed certification through the programme.
Beyond technical training, Junita is helping challenge traditional expectations that often discourage women from taking leadership roles. By promoting participation and skill-building opportunities, she aims to inspire more women and girls to pursue independence and contribute to community development.
Through the efforts of trainers like Ana, Sabina and Junita, the Agroforestry Skills Programme is strengthening local livelihoods while promoting women’s leadership and economic empowerment across Timor-Leste.
