Women and Youth Initiatives (WYI) aims to promote gender equality in access to productive resources through collective social actions. To achieve the goal above, WYI intends to reach out to three wards and engage 30 young mothers and women directly and over 200 young mothers and women indirectly through various approaches:

1. Begin by building the confidence, leadership, facilitation and operational capacity of 15 members of the organisation who are women and young girls, so that the organisation can serve more extensive groups of women and young girls in the community.
2. Second, the organisation intends to identify and recruit 30 women and young mothers to participate in an economic empowerment training program as part of an employment opportunity to break down the barrier to accessing productive resources among them. The program will last one month for each cohort, but it will continue even after the fund is depleted. They will be given seed capital as a revolving fund so that other incoming groups can access it without relying on donors in the coming months or years.
3. In addition, the organisation plans to launch an awareness campaign to advocate for women’s right to access and control productive resources. This campaign will be held twice a year and involve all employment sectors, both private and public.
4. Furthermore, the organisation intends to hold SRHR sessions for young girls and women during the economic empowerment program, which will be carried out in collaboration with Mwanza district health professionals.
5. Lastly, WYI intends to organise and facilitate leadership and confidence-building activities for all 30 young mothers and women recruited for the program. The main goal is to empower them to advocate for themselves and become equality ambassadors.

Introduction

Committed to fostering economic empowerment and self-reliance, Women and Youth Initiatives embarked on a journey to support small-scale entrepreneurs, especially women and young girls, in the Lake Zone. In August 2023, the organisation launched a program aimed at offering micro-credit loans to small-scale entrepreneurs. This initiative sought to support individuals facing economic challenges by providing them with small loans at favourable interest rates to strengthen their small businesses. The initiative also included a component aimed at enhancing leadership skills, boosting confidence, and promoting economic independence.

Project Implementation

In August 2023, Women and Youth Initiatives supported in the disbursement of funds to support small-scale entrepreneurs across three different groups, aiming to establish a sustainable system that would benefit all women and young entrepreneurs in the specified area. The recipients were provided with a repayment period of 25 weeks (around six months) to return the loans. These loans aimed to promote economic growth by supporting their small-scale businesses.

The program also hosted a workshop on February 20-21, 2023, at Grand Hall in the Mwanza region, providing in-depth training and knowledge-building opportunities. The workshop was designed to provide a hands-on and comprehensive learning experience for 15 women and young girls, to improve their skills and boost their confidence. The participants were chosen from marginalized communities and received training in leadership, facilitation, and economic independence. The event received support from local government leaders, district education officers, and health workers from the Makongoro Health Centre. They actively participated in discussions regarding reproductive health education and its influence on economic empowerment.

Impact and Transformation

The program has had a significant influence on the local community. Women and Youth Initiatives have played a crucial role in empowering entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and enhance their economic status through micro-credit loans. The loans have greatly benefited the recipients, enabling them to effectively handle and expand their businesses. As a result, there has been a notable boost in economic activity and a significant improvement in recipients’ overall quality of life. The recipients’ growth has inspired confidence among community members, encouraging more women to pursue their entrepreneurial aspirations.

The capacity-building workshop greatly improved the confidence and leadership skills of the 15 women and young girls. The participants have gained a deep understanding of collaborating with their peers and are now actively promoting economic empowerment and reproductive health education in their communities. The active participation of local government leaders and health workers has greatly enhanced community bonds and promoted a cooperative strategy in meeting the needs of marginalized women and young mothers.

Lessons Learned

The program emphasized the significance of thorough planning and involving all relevant parties. Through the active participation of local government officials and community leaders, Women and Youth Initiatives successfully garnered widespread support for the project and skillfully met the needs of the community. The strong partnerships and open communication fostered by the group members and local leaders have received a positive response, highlighting their value.

The experience underscored the importance of timely financial operations, showcasing the need for agility in addressing unforeseen challenges. Despite encountering difficulties with the delayed first instalment, the project’s proactive approach in resolving this issue played a vital role in keeping the project on track.

Inspiration and Future Vision

The success of this initiative clearly demonstrates the significant impact that can be achieved through focused assistance and active participation from the community. Women and Youth Initiatives have made a meaningful impact by empowering small-scale entrepreneurs and fostering essential leadership skills in women and young girls. This has resulted in a ripple effect of positive change. The program has had a profound impact on marginalized communities, as evidenced by the inspiring stories of individuals who have benefited from it.

Conclusion

Women and Youth Initiatives remain dedicated to empowering small-scale entrepreneurs, fostering leadership, and nurturing community bonds that drive sustained social and economic development. The project has provided an insightful analysis of the economic prospects of individual beneficiaries while also fostering a sense of unity and cooperation within the community. The program’s ongoing evolution will bring even more benefits to the targeted communities, promoting lasting economic and social development.

The following are pictures in an exercise to empower men and young people, small entrepreneurs