Youth and Women Empowerment

i. Improved access to microfinance for youth and women:
Lack of access to microfinance services is a huge stumbling block for women and youth interested in starting or growing a business, including rural youth engaged in agricultural activities. Women and young people are underserved by microfinance institutions in the region. Critical drivers of this outcome include the lack of assets and collateral as well as the perception of risk in lending to women & youth.

ii. Skills development (Vocational training):
Women and youth in rural areas and most urban areas of the Mandera County lack the right skills start or operate business. And without the right set of skills running and growing a business is impossibility. Vocational education and training (VET) will improve employability and increase the ability of young people to venture into various livelihood options. Entrepreneurship skills training programmes have the potential to increase the development of new businesses in rural areas, if coupled with a strong enabling environment. VOPA has trained and equipped 6 Cross border women groups with business start-up kit such as distribution of 6 chest deep freezer, 6 juice dispenser and 12 blenders so that they can start and run their own business after acquiring skills and knowledge. VOPA has support youth in embracing new technologies to create job for the disadvantaged needy people. In April 2022, VOPA has trained 50 Cross border youths on the use of interlocking bricks production machine and provided them with machines as an start-up kits for income generating activities. The organisation has linked the trained youths to livelihood programs and institutions like Banisa and Mandera Polytechnic to enable the poor people to get an opportunity of acquiring skills. This will not only create employment but also reduce number of youth indulging in drugs and criminal activities in the affected areas.

iii. Entrepreneurship programmes.
This program aims to encourage capital formation at community level by promoting the small scale business enterprises through provision of both capacity building and direct financial support by extending non interest soft loans or revolving funds. This will enable the vulnerable members of the community to initiate income generating activities and promote self-employment.