2020 – 2023 Economic empowerment
WHERE
ETHIOPIA – Addis Ababa and Wolayta
PARTNER
CEFA – European Committee for Training and Agriculture Onlus (Coordinator) and two local Ethiopian partners: WISE – Women in Self Employment and WODA – Wolaitta Development Association.
BACKGROUND
In Ethiopia, although some improvements in the labour market, the jobs are not satisfying the demand. According to the 2013 National Labour Force Survey, the level of unemployment is higher among women, in both urban and rural areas, and mainly affects young people, especially in urban areas. Of Ethiopia’s 105 million people, 45 percent is made up of young people under age 15 and 71 percent under age 30.The youth unemployment rate is currently 7 percent; 25 percent of youth ages 15 to 29 report being underemployed. Among urban youth, unemployment is at 29 percent. Almost three-quarters of youth earn below the average monthly wage, while the majority of employed young people work in the informal sector or as unpaid family workers. This population represents the most vulnerable to the risks and consequences of irregular migration (Population Reference Bureau (PRB), 2014. Ethiopia’s Key: Young People and The Demographic Dividend). In rural areas, such as those of Wolayta, the lack of employment and income-generating activities as well as the scarcity of land are among the causes of irregular migration. In the urban area of Addis Ababa and surrounding areas, the lack of job opportunities and the limitations imposed on women by a patriarchal system push Ethiopian women to migrate. These migratory flows occur from rural areas to urban areas or abroad. The creation of jobs for women and young people can have a positive impact on their lives, decreasing the use of irregular migration and thus contributing to a better future for women, young people and their families.
BENEFICIAIRES
Women, men and young people unemployed, in the urban and peri-urban area of Addis Ababa and in the rural area of Wolayta, at risk of irregular migration and / or returnees.
GOALS
General objective: To contribute to the improvement of living conditions (increased income, food security, access to education and basic health services) and to the mitigation of the causes of migration for the vulnerable Ethiopian population, in particular women and young people.
Specific objective: To offer alternatives to irregular migration through:
a) creation of job opportunities, employee and self-employed, and income increase;
b) information and awareness activities for the Ethiopian community on the risks and consequences of irregular migration.
The objectives will also be achieved through the creation of savings and credit cooperatives (SACCO).
AIDOS ACTIVITIES
AIDOS coordinates a component of the project in the urban areas of Addis Ababa and provides technical assistance to the local partner with a gendered and integrated approach to business creation based on human rights and equal access to job opportunities.
EXPECTED RESULTS
at least ,750 vulnerable women whose ability to find work and establish new businesses or improving existing ones is improve
2 new saving and credit cooperatives (SACCO) are created
about 125 members of SACCO, of local CBOs and WISE have strengthened their skills and capacities in delivering integrated services for women entrepreneurship; presentation and marketing of products; psychosocial support to women who experienced violence; product development and design, leadership and management
about 7,100 people from the community are sensitized about the risks of irregular migration; local authorities and civil society organizations are strengthened in their ability to support potential migrants and returnees
WHEN
1 October 2020 – 30 September 2023 (36 months)
COST OF THE PROJECT
€ 1,649,866.75 – AIDOS will manage € 625,423.68
WHO IS FINANCING
Italian Ministry of the Interior – DLCI / Contribution from project partners: € 329,973.35 (of which € 125,084.74 from AIDOS and WISE)