International Development Grant
Women’s Entrepreneurship and Livelihoods Initiative in Ghana and Senegal
Project Number: CA-3-P009685001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $950,000.00
Start Date: December 18, 2020
End Date: October 31, 2021
Duration: 1.0 years
Project Description
This project seeks to address COVID-19 challenges through a youth-centered and gender-responsive economic empowerment project. This project aims to increase economic empowerment to strengthen resilience for adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) most affected by COVID-19 in targeted areas in Ghana and Senegal. The project’s locally-led approach harnesses proven resources from training mentoring and curriculum programs in skills development and entrepreneurship through in-person and adapted digital models. Project activities include: (1) sensitizing community members (men women boys and girls) on AGYW participation in entrepreneurship; (2) scaling-up economic activities in informal sector opportunities created by COVID-19; (3) providing (COVID-19)-adapted training to AGYW in entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihoods and support; (4) raising awareness on gender-based violence and support services provided during COVID-19; and (5) building network opportunities for AGYW entrepreneurs and investors. The project aims to reach over 6 700 AGYW in Ghana over 3 200 AGYW in Senegal and indirectly benefits approximately 50 000 (of which 50% women) in the targeted project areas.
Expected Results
The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased access to resources and services for adolescent girls and young women to maintain their livelihoods in response to COVID-19; and (2) improved entrepreneurship for adolescent girls and young women through business development services that are adaptive in response to COVID-19.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of the end of the project (December 2021) include: (1) sensitized 38 277 people in Ghana and Senegal (73% women; 27% men). The training focused on the socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 sexual and gender-based violence unpaid caregiving and entrepreneurship of adolescent girls and young women; (2) trained 9 114 adolescent girls and young women in life skills. Training included sexual and gender-based violence and sexual and reproductive health and rights; (3) 679 adolescent girls and young women reported increased access to economic opportunities and livelihood skills; (4) trained 9 534 adolescent girls and young women in business development and life skills to respond to the socio-economic situation caused by COVID-19; (5) organized and facilitated six networking opportunities for adolescent girls and young women entrepreneurs and various investors; and (6) measured an average 82% increase in monthly income for adolescent girls and young women who participated in the project.
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Canada World Youth
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
YFMInternaAssistPartnershp&Programing Br
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Unsolicited Proposal