International Development Grant

CAUSE Canada - Program 2007-2013

Project Number: CA-3-S064146PRG

Status: Closed

Country/Region:

Sierra Leone 47.00%
Guatemala 31.00%
Honduras 22.00%

Maximum Contribution: $2,250,000.00

Start Date: October 29, 2007

End Date: March 28, 2013

Duration: 5.4 years

Project Description

The Women's Integral Empowerment Program aims to address the practical needs and strategic interests and aspirations of highly marginalized women. It supports building the capacity of women to become leaders more effective businesspeople and caregivers in their homes and communities. Key activities of the program are: (1) literacy and numeracy courses to 3 200 illiterate and semi-literate women; (2) leadership classes including financial management skills to 4 200 women; and (3) business support classes to 3 000 women to enhance their capacity to manage small businesses. Women may participate in multiple tracks according to their interests and abilities. Health leadership and financial management household and business budgeting are included as topics in all groups.

Progress & Results Achieved

Results achieved as of March 2013 include: In Sierra Leone and Guatemala 727 women graduated from the initiative’s literacy classes. Their sense of dignity soared as they learned to write their names and sound out words. Participants have also built up their courage to take a stand against domestic abuse. 3 060 women received business training and were able to access microcredit for their small businesses. These women now earn more each month and were able to save $59 048 (a significant sum in an impoverished community) to reinvest in their business to further build them up. All of these activities are helping women in Sierra Leone Honduras and Guatemala improve their skills and expertise to help them become more effective leaders businesspeople and caregivers in their homes and communities.

Key Information

Executing Agency:
CAUSE Canada (Christian Aid for Under-Assisted Societies Everywhere)

Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada

Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br

Last Modified:
September 19, 2025

Development Classifications

DAC Sector:

Basic life skills for youth and adults 40%
Health education 30%
Democratic participation and civil society 10%
Education/training in banking and financial services 20%

Aid Type: Project-type interventions

Collaboration: Bilateral

Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation

Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP

Policy Markers
Level 2 Gender equality
Major Funding (>$1M)
Budget Breakdown
2007-04-01 to 2008-03-31 $2,250,000 CAD
Geographic Information
500";Budget Type:Original;Start Date:2008-04-01;End Date:2009-03-31;Value Date:2007-10-29;Value:"$450
Project Number: CA-3-S064146PRG