In today’s increasingly interconnected world, the power to communicate with clarity and confidence opens doors—doors to opportunity, leadership, and meaningful participation. Yet for many young farmers and workers in rural agricultural communities, limited exposure to spoken English and professional communication becomes a silent barrier, restricting their ability to express ideas, influence decisions, or engage in global Fairtrade dialogues.

To bridge this gap, Fairtrade Network of Asia & Pacific Producers (NAPP), with co-funding support from the European Union under European Commission Financial Framework Partnership agreement programme, partnered with The Institute of Languages and Skills (TILS), Rajasthan, to deliver an intensive 3-month Virtual Capacity Building Course on Communication and Presentation Skills. Designed under the Fairtrade Youth Knowledge Hub (YKH), the initiative set out to nurture confident young leaders who can represent their communities with pride—locally, nationally, and globally.

Strengthening the Voices of Emerging Youth Leaders

A cohort of 22 young participants, primarily aged 18–24, joined the program from diverse Fairtrade-certified agricultural sectors including cotton, rice, herbs, spices, and herbal teas. This diverse group represents a new generation of Fairtrade youth leaders—motivated, adaptable, and eager to strengthen their role within producer organizations and supply chains.

An Innovative Approach to Learning

Over three months, participants experienced a blended learning approach that brought together foundational language training and practical communication tools. The curriculum was built to strengthen essential English communication skills while encouraging real-time practice and peer collaboration.

Learners began with core modules such as essential grammar, vocabulary development for daily and professional communication, pronunciation refinement, and accent neutralization. These were reinforced with listening and speaking exercises, structured conversation practice, and group discussions designed to build confidence and fluency.

To make learning more engaging and experiential, the program included:

• Role plays & interactive lectures
• Picture and video perception activities
• Audio-visual learning aids
• Q&A sessions and guided feedback
• Individual presentations by participants

This well-rounded approach ensured that participants not only learned new concepts but internalized and applied them—taking steady steps toward speaking with clarity, confidence, and authenticity.

Immediate Impact: Confidence, Clarity, and Growth

By the end of the program, participants demonstrated noticeable transformation in both communication skills and self-assurance. They showcased:

• Improved speaking, listening, and comprehension
• Greater confidence in discussions and public speaking
• Clearer and more structured expression
• Stronger grammar and vocabulary
• Higher engagement and teamwork

Their final presentations reflected newfound fluency, improved structure, and a visible boost in confidence—signaling the success of the program's methodology.

Voices of Transformation: Participant Testimonials

“The course has been very beneficial for me. It has improved my English speaking skills. I can see a big change in myself compared to before.”
— Laxmi Meena, Holistic Organic Farmers Producer Company Limited, India

“The training has greatly improved my confidence, self-motivation, and spoken English.”
— Ronika Devi, Nature Bio-Foods Ltd. – Fair Farming Foundation, Jammu

“Now I express myself more fluently and comfortably. The sessions and teaching practices helped me a lot.”
— Poonam Sharma, Nature Bio-Foods Ltd. – Fair Farming Foundation, Jammu

Looking Ahead

As participants continue practicing their skills in real-life situations, the impact of this program will extend far beyond the virtual classroom—strengthening youth leadership, enabling better representation, and contributing to improved livelihoods across the Fairtrade network.