$4,5m project to empower rural women

Audrey Rundofa Herald Reporter
The Swedish government, together with We Effect, an international organisation that supports democratic organisations and societies, have signed a SEK 30 million (about US$4,5 million) agreement meant to facilitate the continuation of the Green Enterprise and Business Development Programme (EBPD).

In essence, the programme seeks to improve sustainable livelihoods and food security for rural women and young people.

It is expected to double household incomes for over 60 000 rural people.

Speaking at a signing ceremony yesterday in Harare, Swedish Ambassador to Zimbabwe Ms Sofia Calltorp said the programme will benefit more than 60 000 people.

“l am very proud that you will be able to spread the Swedish development footprint to beneficiaries from the chosen nine deserving districts of Zimbabwe,” she said.

“This new support will build on the solid foundation of the successes of the previous programmes.

“More than 60 000 rural people, mainly women, were mobilised to participate in internal savings and income-generating activities through development of both agriculture and non-agriculture enterprises,” she said.

Ambassador Calltorp said the green jobs aspect of the intervention resonates with Sweden’s new strategy for development cooperation for Zimbabwe.

“More specifically, the programme will contribute to the strategy that looks at improved opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, with a focus on sustainable food security, productive employment with decent working conditions, especially for women and young                                                                              people.”

We Effect regional director for Southern Africa Ms Maria Schultz said, “Innovative approaches will be used to achieve these desired results, including developing sustainable food value chains based on FAO (Food Agriculture Organisation)’s sustainable food value chain concept, support to on-and-off farm business development within the green economy, development of enterprise clubs, district commodity and market linkages associations, use of the study circle methodology to generate business ideas and start or improve a business and use of lead farmer concept for learning.”

We Effect works in 25 countries in Asia, Europe, Latin America as well as Southern and Eastern Africa.