While activities have concluded for the first stage of this Futuremakers’ entrepreneurship project, the participants, their families, and their communities continue to reap the benefits. For example, VSLA groups have voluntarily continued into a second stage of meetings.
Yet this is only the beginning of the journey to sustained economic inclusion for these entrepreneurs. Building confidence and business-resilience takes time, and access to financial services in markets like ours often requires gradual integration.
The entrepreneurs in Kenema and Kousséri are ready to continue on this journey. Empowered, encouraged, and with a greater sense of what they want and need, they’ve asked for more support – which we’re delighted to provide (especially given the huge success of phase one). In a renewed collaboration with the IRC, the second phase of this project will run over the next two years. And with the worst of COVID-19’s economic impact hopefully behind us, we’re switching from recovery to a greater focus on employment and entrepreneurial support.
In addition to bringing next-stage support to entrepreneurs from phase one, we will also engage new groups of young entrepreneurs in both markets. With more participants, the project will create larger clusters for broader access to community capital. It will also ensure broader multiplier effects, via men reached through gender discussions, and employment opportunities created by MSMEs.
The 480 individuals from phase one of this project represent just a handful of the more than 60,000 young entrepreneurs reached via Futuremakers’ entrepreneurship projects between 2019 and 2021.
Photo Credit: International Rescue Committee
The cash grant I received from the project came at the time when I needed it as prices of items had increased. Now I can save, provide for my basic needs, and manage my business well, as I have understood my needs and my wants.
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