International Development Grant
Entrepreneurship and Enterprise Development in Rwanda
Project Number: CA-3-S064720001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $499,088.00
Start Date: September 16, 2009
End Date: September 30, 2012
Duration: 3.0 years
Project Description
This project aims to improve the livelihood of individuals living in marginalized communities by building their capacity to participate in private sector development. The project uses a train-the-trainer approach. Thirty interns (recent college or university graduates) are selected and trained to deliver two training programs (ReachUp! and StartUp!) to 3 000 community participants. They teach practical knowledge about job readiness entrepreneurship and the income-generating potential of information and communications technologies (ICTs) through a combination of experiential learning locally relevant curricula and a program of advisory support. Digital Opportunity Trust interns and staff deliver the ReachUp! and StartUp! programs to individuals who live in disadvantaged communities through a network of local community organizations and with the support of local government donors and private enterprise.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (September 2012) include: training and mentoring of 30 recent university graduates in business planning information communication technologies networking and leadership. Ninety-one percent of these university graduates found jobs with Rwandan government departments private sector and non-governmental organizations or started their own businesses. They also used their skills to train 3 276 vulnerable youth and women in local communities in financial and computer literacy and business development. As a result 61% of the youth and women found jobs and started or expand their own businesses and 77% became more aware of opportunities for employment and self-employment.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
DOT - Digital Opportunity Trust
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by implementing partners
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Pre-APP