markets

Aung Myin Hmu Project (Industry Solutions for Safe Employment)

Despite the benefits of migration for rural households, the process is difficult for migrating family members. One of the main drivers of trafficking is the need for women to travel to look for better employment opportunities, making them vulnerable to unscrupulous brokers. Enhancing job opportunities for women and improving access to educational and vocational facilities are key to combating trafficking and creating a successful migration. The Aung Myin Hmu journey began in 2017 with a recognition that female migrant workers were not receiving the skills necessary to produce quality work and improve their earnings, due to a lack of quality driven training provision for the industry. Once in-factory, reports from CARE International showed that 1 in 2 women workers in garment factories in South-East Asia have experienced some form of sexual harassment.
Aung Myin Hmu (AMH) a project of CARE International in Myanmar, worked in partnership with Legal Clinic Myanmar and Business Kind Myanmar (BKM) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration and Population (MoLIP) to improve the quality and safety of employment for urban migrant women. AMH established a Garment Skills Training Centre (TC), supported the establishment of accredited training lines in factories and trained factories in policy for safe and respectful workplaces (prevention of sexual harassment) in garment factories facilitated essential legal and social support to female garment workers. Working with private sector, legal, social and service providers to improve workplace and community protection systems against Gender Based Violence (GBV), AMH ensured that migrant women were able to have easy access to appropriate services.
The project period saw the growth of the industry from around 400,000 workers in 2017 to 700,000 at the start of 2020. COVID 19 had a huge impact on the industry with a 25% of workers losing their jobs or being furloughed, and then in February the military coup impacted the industry further as Brands were uncertain, they would continue working in Myanmar and factories lost orders.
AMH’s two-month courses were designed to train modern sewing methodology on semi-automatic machines, labour law and rights at work though the International Labour Organisation’s (ILO) Better Rights at Work Programme (BRAW) and basic skills, including communication, problem-solving skills, nutrition and personal finance management. Sexual harassment (SH) and environmental awareness training completed the curriculum. Factories have told us that AMH workers are more systematic, progress faster, can use many machines and change styles more easily.
The project promoted the residence of workers as AMH trainees had a higher rate of productivity and earned higher salaries than informally trained workers, enabling them to support their families and make healthier food choices. Trainees gave feedback that the training enabled them to be more discerning in their choice of factory, choosing those with better working conditions and which product they preferred.
A higher productivity rate also increased the factories’ profits and resilience to shocks though it is noted that those factories who placed value in training, were also likely to be those who placed value in workers and therefore could achieve a higher productivity.
During the project period, 5428 trainees graduated from AMH training centres, AMH supported government venue and factory training line of AMH partner garment factories. More than 1400 garment workers graduated from AMH garment training centre.
AMH continued to advocate for the approval of 11 drafted National Occupational Competency Standards (NOCS). Significant challenges, including political sensitivities among stakeholders about the inclusion of industrial relations content contributed to the delays in approval. However, AMH delivered the highest number of test candidates out of all assessment centres in Myanmar and made a major contribution to the overall testing numbers, convincing factories of the relevance of NOCS for the garment sector.
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“DIAGNÓSTICO SOBRE CORRESPONSABILIDAD DE GÉNERO EN PARTICIPANTES DEL PROYECTO IGNITE Y PROPUESTA DE INTERVENCIÓN”

CARE Perú en el marco de su mandato institucional de promover la igualdad de oportunidades de las niñas, jóvenes y mujeres en el Perú, a fin de contribuir en la erradicación de la pobreza, la desigualdad y la discriminación en el país, en el marco de la Agenda 2030 de Desarrollo Sostenible, en alianza con Mastercard, se implementó el Proyecto “IGNITE: Liberando el poder emprendedor de las empresarias” con el objetivo de contribuir a la creación de empleo, mejorar el bienestar de las familias a través de un mejor acceso a productos financieros personalizados para mujeres emprendedoras, y promover un mayor uso de las soluciones financieras digitales, con el propósito de acortar las barreras financieras y no financieras para el emprendimiento de las mujeres. Read More...

CARE International Foundation Switzerland-Sudan The Value Chain of Groundnut, Tomatoes, Hides and Skins in South and East Darfur and South Korofan States – Sudan

There was a value chain study in the year 2016 covering East and South Darfur and South Kordofan States targeting three commodities namely groundnut, skins and hides and tomatoes. Although in the last four years, the country has witnessed a tremendous change in different livelihoods aspects, the 2016 study constitutes a baseline bench mark and give glimpse to the current research. For the validation of the aforesaid study, a careful understanding of the methodology, findings and recommendations are well undertaken to reveal the similarities and differences between the two studies. Read More...

Technical Feasibility Study for Establishing a Mango Pulp Processing Plant in South Kordofan

This technical consultancy is commissioned to assess the viability of a multi-fruit processing facility in South Kordofan region. This region is mango-rich where 35% of all Sudanese mangos originate and therefore a process- ing facility would sit at the heart of the raw material source. Operational best-practices generally promote value-addition facilities to be located either closer to the end user or at the raw material source.
The feasibility study included extensive secondary research on the subject as well as an intensive element of primary research that included field work across South Kordofan (Kadogly, Rashaad, Tandik and Abu Jubeiha), interviews with KIIs, focus groups with farmers, traders & women associations and observational assessments. The analysis of the data and information was enriched by engagement with the supply chain who guided the team to design the appropriate value chain that is conducive to the environment.
This research recommends the adoption of the dormant Tandik facility for the fruit processing facility. Our architectural team have analysed the data and information and trust the Tandik site would require investment to upgrade the facility, but it provides a substantial launch pad for the project to have a near-ready facility. Moreover, the authorities at the Ministry of Agriculture at Kadogly, Rashaad and Abu Jubeiha localities, have all endorsed the adoption of this site and are willing to champion tax and rent concessions for the operator. Read More...

Step Up to Empower Women and End Violence Value Chain and IGA Analysis

This study was conducted in order to assess the socio-economic situation in the project-targeted area and identify potential opportunities for women to participate in far-reaching value chains. This has been done through identifying potential cash crops and their value chains to support women to benefit from; and create clear pathways to participate. In addition to that, the study aims to identify potential key income generating activities mainly for girls and women. The study was conducted for CARE International in Sudan within the project of “Step Up to Empower Women and End Violence” (SEEV) being implemented in Abujibiha and Rashad localities in South Kordofan.
The methodology was based on secondary data collected from the project documents and the reports from relevant government institutions. The primary data formed the backbone of the report and was collected through direct fieldwork that involved Focused Group Discussion (FGDs), Semi Structured Interviews (SSI), Key Informants (KI) and questionnaire administered in seven communities that were sampled covering a total sample size of 600 households. In addition to that, Information sources included women groups, CBOs, project stakeholders and Value Chain actors at markets and production sites.
The main findings of the study indicated that the households’ demographic characteristics are typical for rural households. Illiteracy rates are as high as 29.5% at Tandik in Rashad locality. This will need to be considered in extension messages and delivery of the extension activities, especially in Gabarouna and Taypa in Abujibiha and Tandik in Rashad localities.
Farming constitutes the main livelihood mainstay for households in the targeted area and the main source of income; however, Abujibiha households adopt other sources of income compared to Rashad. More than 60% aof people in the two localities own the land that they cultivate, while 30% of the two localities cannot cultivate all the land they have because they have no resources to do this.
The crops selected for value chain especially sorghum, sesame and groundnut are found to be strategic in relation to food security as well as sources of income. The estimated percentage sold reached 56%, 90% and 64% for the crops respectively in Abujibiha and 46%, 80% and 68% for Rashad locality. There is a need to focus on making the agricultural system more effective and improving agricultural production process through addressing each of the issues stated as explained with details in the report.
Results proved that the farming activities of the selected crops for value chain are not noticeably different between the two localities; however, minor differences exist as indicated by soil characteristics or some specific culture (a group may prefer to grow specific crop). Farming is dominated by womenm where almost 70% of the farming practiced at Bildat (rainy season and winter season) and Gubraka is practiced by women. This is true of sorghum, groundnut, cow pea, and pumpkin. The study revealed that components of agricultural production system, including seed sources, farming practices and storage, in addition to promotion of financing services represent entrance for improving production process, the quality and increasing productivity. Organizing farmers mainly women in production groups and enhancing agricultural extension and agricultural protection through demonstrations and adoption of Integrated Pest Management approach are considered as promising means and added value in relation decreasing loss in harvest. Sorghum, groundnut and sesame cultivation found to be rewarding and contributing remarkably to women income. This is because women dominate cultivation of these crops at Bildat farms (small farms close to villages). Vegetables and other crops grown at Gubraka level also contribute to household food security as well as income.
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Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) Baseline Assessment: Promoting Productive Use of Energy (PUE) for Women and Girls in Sierra Leone

This report presents findings from a baseline assessment conducted to provide contextual analysis of the Solar Harnessed Entrepreneurs (SHE) project’s target population, capturing initial data against selected indicators in the project Results Framework. The SHE project aims to provide women groups and individual run enterprises with a package of support, including financing for energy-enabled appliances, training in their use and an enhanced market access and linkages with the aim to leverage the new access to energy for business growth. The ideal setting of the project is to cover over 330 newly enabled businesses by engaging 7,120 women, living in Sierra Leone’s mini-grid locations.
Although quantitative data collection was largely used to get primary information using structured questionnaires for personal interviews, the research team also used qualitative methods through Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), with respondents drawn from the renewable energy sector/mini-grid power stations. The study also used Focus Group Discussion (FGD) guides to interview Project’s target groups and individual women entrepreneurs in the study areas. The coverage of the assessment was to include twenty (20) communities in all seven (7) intervention districts (Bo, Bonthe, Moyamba, Pujehun, Kambia, Koinadugu and Bombali), but based on initial targets for the first phase of implementation, only sixteen (16) communities were reached during the assessment.
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My Forest, My Livelihood, My Family program (FUTURES) Baseline report

The FUTURES—My Forest, My Livelihood, My Family program (FUTURES) serves communities in the Yayu Coffee Forest Biosphere Reserve (YCFBR) located in Southwestern Ethiopia, in Oromia Regional State. The YCFBR encompasses the Hurumu, Yayo, Bilo Nopa, Alge-Sachi, and Doreni woredas of Illu-Abba Bora zone and Chora woreda of Buno Bedele zone and includes protected forest area as well as designated areas for economic activities like coffee and spice production, commercial forest plantations and eco-tourism, and areas where many traditional and modern agricultural practices take place.
Households in the area depend on a combination of small-scale agricultural and forest management systems dominated by traditional agronomic practices and characterized by a lack of crop diversity and low productivity. Deforestation, degradation, and increased loss of biodiversity are major concerns for sustainable agricultural and livelihood practice in the region. Social, gender, and cultural barriers have historically limited women’s and youth’s engagement in agricultural and economic sectors. High rates of early and forced marriage, and limited availability of reproductive health and family planning services, especially youth-friendly services, may further limit women and youth from participating meaningfully in agricultural practice and livelihood generation. Government services and local civil society organizations in the area operate at a limited capacity, and their offices are male-dominated and do not meaningfully incorporate a gendered approach to their work (Gebrehanna and Seyoum, 2020).
The three-year FUTURES project was launched in April 2021 to address many of the health, environment, and livelihood concerns of the YCFBR region. The project is implemented by CARE Ethiopia and its three local partners, Oromia Development Association (ODA), Environment and Coffee Forest Forum (ECFF), and Kulich Youth Reproductive Health and Development Organization (KYRHDO). The FUTURES project evaluation, funded by USAID, and led by Data for Impact (D4I), aims to understand the impact of the FUTURES project on key health, agricultural, and livelihood and conservation behavioral outcomes, and to contribute to knowledge about the implementation of cross-sectoral programs, including monitoring, evaluations, and learning (MEL) of such programs. Read More...

POST PROJECTSUSTAINABILITYSTUDY OF SETU (SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION OFTHE ULTRA POOR)

POST PROJECT SUSTAINABILITY STUDY OF SETU09CARE Bangladesh implemented (2009-2015) Social and Economic Transformation of the Ultra Poor (SETU), under the EEP/SHiREE program funded by former UKaid from the Department for International and the Swiss Agency for Development Cooperation in four districts: Ranpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat and Nilphamari of the Northwest region of the country that is severely affected by seasonal food insecurity. The design of SETU was structured around CARE's Criteria and threshold of calculating multidimensional poverty livelihood opportunities; social inequalities playing out different forms of exploitation, dependence, discrimination, and marginalization; and weak governance at all levels resulting in lack of participation of extreme poor and poor people in Union Parishad and local development processes.This PPS study of SETU aims to assess how and to what extent the graduation model sustains in later years; and the factors that determine sustainability or lack thereof in the same population group. The study followed the same area and sample (418) households of SETU’s end evaluation study and included 95% of households who graduated and 5% of HH who have not graduated. Read More...

Sustainability of impact-strengthening the Dairy value Chain (SDVC) Final Report

Strengthening Dairy Value Chain (SDVC) Project was one of the first Value Chain Development (VCD) programmes of CARE Bangladesh, it had its roots in focusing extensively in supporting farmers through provision of organizing, training and technically supporting farmers. SDVC-II had a more market led focus and a more facilitative approach. It worked across the dairy value chain, ranging from Livestock Health Workers (LHWs), Input sellers, Milk Collectors, BRAC Dairy, and others. This study aimed to measure long-term sustainability of impacts through Market Systems Development Approach. The study focused on capturing the sustainability of the project’s interventions, 5 years after the project had closed.
SDVC built household resilience, improved livelihoods, and helped chronically food insecure households increase their income and dairy consumption. The project focused on implementing change through a set of interventions namely:
• Improving Productivity
• Increasing Access to Inputs
• Increasing Access to Markets
• Improving the Policy Environment
• Supporting Use of Technology and Data
The study adopted the AAER (Adopt, Adapt, Expand, Respond) framework1 for capturing systemic change. The study found that after five years of project completion, substantial linkages remain, and functions continues to serve the poor in a systematic manner. Where we found that market actors such as Livestock Health Workers, Retailers, Collection points continue to function strongly. Similarly, we found that BRAC dairy continues to source milk from collection points, where smallholders supply roughly 70-80% of the milk. Other processors were also found to utilise the collection points in terms of sourcing milk. BRAC intends to replicate the dairy hub model with the use of Digital Fat Testing Devices in the southern part of Bangladesh as well. All processors like PRAN, Milk Vita, Rangpur Dairy were also found to have been sourcing from the established collection points.
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Sugu Yiriwa etude de base (Baseline for Mali’s Sugu Yiriwa project)

L’étude de base pour l’établissement de la situation de référence des indicateurs de performance est une investigation initiée par Feed the Future Mali Sugu Yiriwa dans les cercles des régions de Mopti (Tenenkou, Youwarou, Douentza, Koro, Bankass, Bandiagara, Djenné et Mopti) et Tombouctou (Tombouctou, Goundam, Niafounké et Diré) dans le but de disposer d’une base de référence de certains indicateurs de performance afin de mieux suivre leur évolution ou changement.
Spécifiquement, il s’agit de connaître le niveau de référence de :
● L’indice de la capacité à se remettre des chocs et stress de la zone d’intervention ;
● La valeur des ventes annuelles des exploitations et des entreprises recevant l’assistance du Gouvernement Américain ;
● Pourcentage de changement dans l’offre des produits agricoles sur les marchés ciblés ;
● Pourcentage de changement des prix des produits agricoles sur les marchés ciblés ;
● Le nombre d’hectares sous pratiques de gestion ou de technologies améliorées qui font la promotion des pratiques améliorées de réduction des risques climatiques et/ou de gestion des ressources naturelles avec l’aide du gouvernement américain ;
● Le nombre d’individus dans le système agricole qui ont appliqué des pratiques améliorées de gestion ou des technologies avec l'aide du gouvernement américain ;
● La propriété des actifs ;
● L’accès au crédit et décisions à la matière ;
● Le pourcentage de participants qui déclarent une augmentation des aliments riches en micronutriments sur le marché local au cours des 12 derniers mois
● Augmentation en pourcentage d'aliments riches en micronutriments dans les marchés ciblés ;
● Le pourcentage des participants aux activités agricoles sensibles à la nutrition de l’USG consommant un régime alimentaire d’une diversité minimale.
Au total, 1,301 ménages et 132 structures (organisations des producteurs, associations villageoises d’épargne et de crédit et entreprises incluant les agro-dealers et vendeurs individuels) ont été enquêtées dans les deux régions concernées par l’étude. Read More...

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