Introducing our new project with The Big Heart Foundation and NAMA

It’s been a tough year for everyone, so we are thrilled to announce a major new project with The Big Heart Foundation and NAMA, which will provide much-needed women’s livelihoods and mental health support.

The year-long new partnership, which got underway earlier this month, sees us begin a brand new cycle of our successful Women’s Business Incubator (WBI). It will provide financial support and business mentorship for new and existing women-led small businesses, as well as badly-needed mental health support.

The project is taking place at Essyan, Rwanga and Domiz 2 camps, and will provide financial grants and mentorship for 10 women so that they can each launch a new business of their choosing. Priority will be given to those who are female heads of household, widows with children and ISIS survivors, and each business idea will be based on a proven market need that benefits the whole community. Training will cover the fundamentals needed to start a business, from market research and planning through to launch, effective management, recruitment and networking.

In addition, a further 10 women whose businesses have been badly impacted by Covid-19 will receive financial grants and mentoring so that they can refresh and relaunch their businesses, with a focus on elements such as digital and online marketing, social media for business, crisis management, hygiene training and delivery services.

With the pandemic resulting in escalating mental health issues and a sharp increase in gender-based violence and exploitation in refugee and IDP settings, the project also includes awareness sessions on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), plus psycho-social support with a professional psychologist.

Vian Ahmed, our Regional Director, says: “We are thrilled to be working with TBHF and NAMA on the Women’s Business Incubator project, which will enable women to become economically empowered so that they can provide for themselves and their families. The WBI is an innovative, sustainable project which provides the capital and support women need to run successful businesses, learn new skills, achieve financial independence and become primary decision-makers in society.

 “The mental health support provided by this project is also essential, as women and girls have been experiencing acute psychological problems during the pandemic, largely due to the loss of jobs and income, as well as increased isolation, rising domestic tensions and GBV.”

We’ll be bringing you more updates about the project here and on our social media over the coming months…