Project profile — Youth Entrepreneurship and Women Empowerment in Northern Nigeria

• Nigeria (100.00%)

• Secondary Education: Vocational training (11330) (1.44%)
• Post-Secondary Education: Advanced technical and managerial training (11430) (0.72%)
• Government And Civil Society, General: Ending violence against women and girls (15180) (19.28%)
• Financial policy and administrative management:
Financial policy and administrative management (24010) (0.72%)
Informal/semi-formal financial intermediaries (24040) (24.10%)
• Business And Other Services: Business Development Services (25030) (28.92%)
• Agriculture: Agricultural education/training (31181) (24.82%)

• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (significant objective)
• Participatory development and good governance (not targeted)
• Trade development (not targeted)
• Biodiversity (not targeted)
• Climate change mitigation (not targeted)
• Climate Change Adaptation (not targeted)
• Urban issues (not targeted)
• Desertification (not targeted)
• Children's issues (significant objective)
• Youth Issues (significant objective)
• Disability (not targeted)
• Indigenous Issues (not targeted)
• ICT as a tool for development (not targeted)
• Nutrition (significant objective)
• Disaster Risk Reduction(DRR) (not targeted)

The project aims to advance economic growth in the agriculture sector by supporting the development of businesses and increasing income generating opportunities for women and youth in Bauchi State. The project seeks to engage government and private sector stakeholders to provide reliable services that support entrepreneurs and small and medium enterprises. By improving economic conditions for women and youth aged 18 to 35, the project also aims to reduce the economic causes of child, early marriage. Project activities include: (1) designing and deploying more accessible and adapted financial services for small scale businesses and entrepreneurs, with a particular focus on women and youth; (2) providing support to small scale businesses to address shared value chain productivity constraints; and (3) developing culturally appropriate awareness campaigns to address early marriage. The project is expected to directly benefit 1,000 small scale businesses and 15,000 entrepreneurs with a focus on rice and sesame value chains for their high growth potential.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) improved performance of small-scale businesses operated by women and youth, in targeted agricultural value chains in Bauchi State; (2) reduced barriers faced by entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, and small scale businesses; and (3) increased community awareness and family support to address the issue of early marriage and promote economic opportunities to young women in Bauchi.

Results achieved as of March 2023 include: (1) formed 680 Savings and Loans Groups with 17,011 members (94% women) to promote financial literacy and savings. So far, participants have saved over $ 1.3 million; (2) supported 17,578 entrepreneurs (94 % women and 61% youth between the ages of 15 and 35) and 293 small-scale businesses (72.2% women-led) through business development services. Over 96% reported improved business performance, 94% saw an increase in income, and 97% accessed suitable and inclusive financial services; and (3) conducted a Life Skills program with 1,483 participants (1,293 girls and 190 boys) on savings, entrepreneurship, life skills, and leadership. The program also aimed to promote confidence-building, goal setting, and dialogue to prevent early child and forced marriage. Following community social dialogues and related activities. Also, 93% of surveyed women and girls reported a positive change in the family and community environment, supporting women’s socio-economic activities and addressing early and forced child marriage issues.

• Proactive disclosure