Deadline: 30-Mar-2026
The WFP GastroLab Surf City project empowers young people in El Salvador’s culinary sector through training, internships, and employment support. Partners help strengthen technical and soft skills, promote youth entrepreneurship, and connect participants to local labor markets, fostering food security and inclusive economic growth.
Overview of the Initiative
GastroLab Surf City is an innovative youth empowerment program that combines technical culinary training with practical experience, employment pathways, and entrepreneurship development. The initiative targets young people with potential in gastronomy, equipping them with skills to thrive in the culinary sector while supporting local communities.
Focus Areas
- Camp Coordination & Camp Management: Emphasis on structured program management and participant engagement
- Cross-Sectoral Areas: Gender equality, youth leadership, monitoring and evaluation, resource mobilization, training, and capacity building
- Food Security: Cash assistance and support for local food initiatives
- Livelihoods: Technical and vocational education and training, internships, and employment placement
Geographic Scope
The project operates in multiple regions of El Salvador:
- San Salvador
- La Libertad
- Santa Ana
- La Union
- San Miguel
Roles and Responsibilities for Partners
Selected partner organizations will:
- Identify and select participants with potential in gastronomy
- Provide technical training and skill development for selected youth
- Facilitate internships and employment opportunities in the culinary sector
- Monitor labor market integration and track participant progress
- Maintain and manage necessary equipment for training and production activities
- Coordinate closely with WFP to ensure seamless program implementation
How the Project Works
- Participant Recruitment: Systematic selection of 95 young people and 40 entrepreneurs from targeted communities
- Training & Development: Technical culinary skills, soft skills, and entrepreneurship capacity building
- Practical Experience: Internship placements and mentorship programs in the local food sector
- Employment & Entrepreneurship Support: Linking graduates to job opportunities or supporting small-scale culinary business development
- Monitoring & Evaluation: Continuous tracking of outcomes, employment status, and community impact
Expected Results
- Youth gain technical and soft skills applicable in the culinary sector
- Increased employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for participants
- Enhanced food security and inclusive economic development in participating regions
- Strengthened local communities through skills development and labor market integration
- A sustainable model for scaling culinary training programs for youth empowerment
Who Can Apply as Partners
- NGOs, civil society organizations, or community-based organizations with experience in:
- Youth training and empowerment
- Culinary education or vocational programs
- Program management and coordination
- Organizations must demonstrate capacity for participant selection, training delivery, internship facilitation, and monitoring outcomes
Why This Programme Matters
GastroLab Surf City addresses youth unemployment and skills gaps in the culinary sector while supporting inclusive economic development. By connecting training with practical experience and employment pathways, the initiative strengthens food security, community resilience, and entrepreneurship opportunities.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Inadequate experience in youth or vocational programs
- Lack of clear roles and responsibilities for participant support
- Missing plans for monitoring, evaluation, and reporting outcomes
- Insufficient focus on gender equality, inclusion, and community impact
FAQs
1. Who can become a partner? NGOs and community organizations experienced in youth training and culinary programs.
2. Where does the project operate? San Salvador, La Libertad, Santa Ana, La Union, and San Miguel.
3. How many participants are targeted? 95 young people and 40 entrepreneurs from the mobile population.
4. What are the core activities? Training, internships, employment support, and equipment management.
5. What skills are developed? Technical culinary skills, soft skills, entrepreneurship, and labor market readiness.
6. How is impact measured? Through participant progression, employment outcomes, and community benefits.
7. Does the project include gender equality? Yes, it emphasizes inclusion and equal opportunities for women and girls.
Conclusion
GastroLab Surf City provides a comprehensive framework to empower youth in El Salvador’s culinary sector. By combining training, internships, and employment pathways, it strengthens skills, community development, and inclusive economic growth, ensuring lasting impact for participants and their communities.
For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.
