Empowering Women and Youth through Inclusive Approaches in the Blue Economy.

In the Tanga-Pemba seascape, a transformative initiative is creating new opportunities for women and youth to thrive as entrepreneurs in the blue economy. This journey of empowerment began in December 2024, when the Women's Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT), a feminist organization, partnered with Mission Inclusion through the ReSea Project funded by Global Affair Canada to conduct a 7-day capacity needs assessment.

Conducted across the six project districts—Pangani, Mkinga, Micheweni, Wete, Chake Chake, and Mkoani, the assessment involved 93 participants, including 63 women and young women, and 30 men and young men.

The goal of the assessment was to identify the skills gaps, analyse barriers to entry, and assess learning preferences among women and youth in the blue economy. This foundational study laid the groundwork for a sustainable, community-driven program designed to break down barriers and empower participants to seize opportunities in blue businesses.

Breaking Barriers and Fostering Inclusion:

The program recognizes that women and youth face numerous challenges in the blue economy, from limited access to business opportunities to skills gaps and capacity limitations in advocating for their rights. Unlike traditional top-down initiatives, this project embraced an inclusive and participatory approach, ensuring that every voice was heard and every need considered. Key to its success was the study designed to support a co-designing a tailored training programs through the voices of women and youth captured during the capacity need assessment study. This ensured that the content and delivery were relevant, accessible, and transformative. Instead of imposing pre-determined solutions, the program is allowing the participants to shape their learning journey actively.

A Transparent and Empowering Process:

The project's activities unfolded in a thoughtful sequence. The first step involved scouting and mapping women’s and youth groups across the six districts. This process was conducted in collaboration with the Blue Economy Ministry in Pemba and District Fisheries Officers in Tanga. Once the groups were identified, a detailed capacity needs assessment followed, culminating in inclusive information-sharing sessions.

Unlike traditional application processes that rely on online forms or social media announcements, the team prioritized accessibility. Information-sharing sessions guided women and youth through the application process, providing full support at every step. As Abdalah, the District Fisheries Officer from Micheweni, observed:

“The group application process from mapping to application was empowering for women. No one felt left behind, as the sessions were designed to support them and ensure they felt part of the process. They weren’t intimidated by the criteria for application, something that would have been the case if we had just posted it online.”

Even women who find it hard to read and write were empowered to participate, thanks to technical assistance from District Fisheries Officers and the project team. Inclusivity was further enhanced by ensuring that men in some groups played supportive roles, fostering women’s active participation.

Building a Foundation for Transformation:

The result of this inclusive approach is a program that doesn’t just teach—it empowers. Women and youth are now in for the journey of skills building, confidence building, and support provided for overcoming barriers and succeed in the blue economy. By prioritizing transparency, collaboration, and accessibility, the initiative is setting a powerful example of how to create sustainable, community-driven change. In the words of one participant, "The beginning of this journey has shown us that when everyone is included, transformation becomes possible. It’s not just about what we’ve learned, it’s about what we’ve become capable of doing together."