For the NENA region, FAO has formulated three Regional Initiatives (RIs) that reflect the common
priorities expressed by the Member Countries. These initiatives are based on the principles of country ownership, participation and partnership. They focus on innovations and enhanced collaboration within and among the countries of the region, highlight the need for multidisciplinary approaches to addressing problems, both with Member Countries and with regional and international partners.
By establishing a dynamic initiative on Small-Scale Agriculture for Inclusive Development (SSA), FAO is working closely with thousands of small farmers and producers in the region. Special attention is paid to women farmers, women agricultural workers and youth involved in agriculture reflecting local context, social vulnerabilities and disadvantaging factors. This initiative is putting farmers and smallholders as well as their organizations, at the centre of the fight against hunger and poverty through the intensification of their production in a sustainable manner, strengthening their capacity of knowledgebased decision-making, their managerial and negotiation skills to market their products and fostering the role of women and youth in the agricultural sector.