The idea of the subject for this issue of Notes sprung up from an exchange among NGOs (AVSF, CCFD-Terre Solidaire, Fert, Gret, Inter-réseaux, Iram, and UNMFREO) on their practices in the field of training and the socio-professional insertion of youth. The question of sustainability of training centers quickly emerged as a key element to cover, especially the question of financial sustainability. This issue of Notes is thus based on the analysis of three experiences in sub-Saharan Africa (Mali and Senegal) and in Madagascar, with some perspectives added by cases in the Maghreb and in Brazil. The experiences studied have been set up and developed in rural environments, in the fields of agricultural and the craft industry. They target a public that is rather vulnerable and concern the first levels of training (initial training).
The three types of training organizations studied are the Fekama agricultural schools (lower secondary level) in Madagascar, the Maisons Familiales Rurales (MFR) in Mali, and a public high school in Senegal. They all offer initial training for young people as their main activity, leading to certificates or diplomas. The Fekama agricultural schools offer only in-class training. The two others offer apprenticeships combined with vocational education: short-term (less than one year) for the MFR and short-and long-term for the high school in Senegal. The sectors of activity are agriculture, irrigation, agricultural mechanization, and craft industry including mechanics
