- 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.
- Skills development (Vocational training):
Women and youth in rural areas and most urban areas of the HoA lack the right skills start or operate business. And without the right set of skills running and growing a business is an 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 programs have the potential to increase the development of new businesses in rural areas, if coupled with a strong enabling environment.
HARDA is planning to support youth in embracing new technologies to create job for the disadvantaged needy people. The organization wishes to establish a technical college to enable the poor people to get an opportunity of acquiring skills. This will not only create employment but also reduce number of youths indulging in drugs and criminal activities in the affected areas.
- Entrepreneurship programs.
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.
