Project profile — Value chains for economic growth

• Ethiopia (100.00%)

• Agricultural development:
Agricultural development (31120) (10.00%)
Food crop production (31161) (40.00%)
Livestock (31163) (10.00%)
Agricultural extension (31166) (10.00%)
• Mineral Resources And Mining: Precious metals/materials (32265) (30.00%)

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

This project aims to increase sustainable employment and generate income by supporting micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in the Amhara region, focusing on the rice, vegetable and gemstone markets. Project activities include: (1) strengthening knowledge and skills of producers and business owners, particularly women, to understand business and market opportunities; (2) facilitating access to innovative techniques, inputs and equipment to help producers and business owners increase productivity, develop new products, and reach new markets; (3) working with financial institutions to support producers, suppliers, and technology manufacturers in accessing finance to support increased productivity and business growth; and (4) contributing to an enabling, gender-sensitive business and policy environment to facilitate growth in these sectors.

The expected outcomes of this project include: (1) improved business performance of producers, particularly women, to compete in the market; (2) improved business performance of MSMEs, particularly women-led, to create stronger market linkages; and (3) improved gender-sensitive business environment for fostering growth of producers and MSMEs in the rice, vegetable and gemstone markets of the Amhara region of Ethiopia.

Results achieved as of March 2023 include: (1) the project reached 16,066 (7,860 women) producers and benefitted 69,924 indirect clients; (2) the income of women increased by 72 % due to increased sales of rice and vegetable products associated with improved quality of produce and increased number of new customers; (3) based on the annual survey conducted, MSMEs surveyed created more jobs (full-time, part-time, seasonal) as compared to the previous year, which exceeds the end target 75%; (4) 97% of the project participants' income increased; and (5) participating MSMEs' revenue has increased by over 217%. These results contributed to improving the business performance of producers, particularly women, by enabling them to compete in the market and creating stronger market linkages. They have also contributed to more gender-sensitive business environments and fostered producers' growth.

• Proactive disclosure