Futuremakers' projects implemented by Sightsavers have so far been introduced in Pakistan, Kenya, and Bangladesh. We are only at the early stages of project implementation in these markets, yet we’re already inspired by stories of inclusion. We’re also encouraged by similar, impactful projects implemented by Sightsavers over the years, and aspire to extend their previous success stories, together.
And at different stages of these project journeys, we can begin to see the seeds of change being sown.
STAGE ONE: Labour Market Assessment (LMA)
As with most emerging markets, Pakistan lacks reliable data around employment of people with disabilities. The Futuremakers Pakistan pre-project LMA showed that:
These insights enabled Sightsavers and its implementing partners to structure activities that target the unique needs of job seekers, employers, and supporting networks. The insights also enable a focus on participants where the greatest impact can be made – work that is now underway.
STAGE TWO: Project implementation
A. Job seekersA similar recent project run by Sightsavers (prior to its collaboration with Futuremakers) proved that transition to formal employment can be realised for people with disabilities.
This project in Bangladesh focused on equipping young people with the skills and confidence to compete for jobs in the labour market. The impact was a transition rate of 36 per cent over three years, accelerating further as the economy recovered from COVID-19-related employment impacts.
B. EmployersKenya’s constitution requires employers to move towards a minimum proportion (5 per cent) of employees to be persons with disabilities. And while many employers want to be inclusive, they lack the disability confidence. To help them develop this confidence, Futuremakers supports companies of varying size with training and accompaniment. On the larger end of the scale, Sightsavers supports companies in Kenya like Safaricom, Diageo and Coca-Cola Beverages Africa.Beyond helping these companies meet the constitutional requirement, this work builds peer awareness among corporates in Kenya on the value of hiring people with disabilities. This in turn contributes to the greatly needed longer-term structural change.
C. Supporting networksA Business and Disability Network is now being established in partnership with the International Labour Organization (ILO), Employers Federation of Pakistan, and Standard Chartered Pakistan. One early example of the power of these networks is an introduction between Sightsavers, Futuremakers and the government’s Youth Development Programme (supported by the ILO). Collaboration talks are underway that could see more jobs created for young people with disabilities in Pakistan.
STAGE THREE: Expansion
Our collaboration with Sightsavers has only just begun; we’re planning to grow together with more similar projects through Futuremakers.
For the next stage, plans are underway for a geographical expansion in Asia; a new project in Bangladesh was launched by Sightsavers in October 2022. Two further projects have also commenced in Indonesia and Nepal, in partnership with CBM.