Expanded Economic
Opportunities For Disadvantaged Groups Summary Zimbabwe
remains one of the most economically inequitable countries in the world. This
imbalance is felt most among the disadvantaged segments of the population: communal
area residents, women, under- and unemployed youth, the urban poor, the disabled,
orphans, farm workers and in recent years, households affected by HIV/AIDS. Over
the years, Zimbabwe's economic indicators have worsened, and more and more of
these people now fall below the poverty datum line. The challenge is to
facilitate micro-income generating opportunities for these disadvantaged groups
to sustain their livelihoods. USAID's "Economic Opportunities" program is
a direct response to this challenge and its main objective is to improve access
to economic opportunities for disadvantaged groups through two innovative initiatives:
-
Increasing access to financial services by disadvantaged groups,
and -
Improving the business capacity of disadvantaged groups.
Activity Profile Increased
Access to Financial Services This activity supports the expansion
of micro-banking facilities to disadvantaged groups through two approaches: furnishing
technical assistance and training to help micro-banks plan and execute appropriate
expansion strategies; and partnering with micro-finance institutions (MFIs) in
expanding their loan capital so that they can reach target groups. A special
activity focuses on working with MFIs to develop products and services for the
increasing segment of the population affected by HIV/AIDS. Business
Capacity Improved To complement the effort of expanding micro-finance
services to disadvantaged groups, this activity focuses on strengthening the business
skills of entrepreneurial groups and their representative associations. Selected
entrepreneur groups receive training in basic business practices, development
of innovative production technologies; and, marketing strategies for group products.
Micro-enterprise representative business associations receive training in
financial management, marketing and advocacy skills. Beneficiaries Disadvantaged
groups, including those affected by HIV/AIDS, benefit from commercial market linkages
and a range of financial services to improve their ability to survive the economic
crisis. Micro-finance institutions and business development service providers
benefit from the opportunity to provide an expanded range of client services. Local
Partners The local partners are drawn from local micro-finance institutions,
business development service providers, private sector companies and NGOs. Implementing
Partners An institutional contractor, Development Alternatives Inc.
(DAI), manages the design and implementation of activities outlined under this
program. DAI has agreements with the International Capital Corporation,
Vulindlela and Aid for Artisans to implement some technical inputs of the "Economic
Opportunities" program. |