Income Generation
EFA works with all member associations to develop and launch small income generation projects. EFA assists associations in accessing micro-credit loans or grants from existing poverty reduction mechanisms in the community to launch these projects.
Since 2008, EFA has served as a technical partner to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Extreme Poverty Reduction Program, which provides grants to eligible civil society organizations for poverty reduction and economic development opportunities. The Extreme Poverty Reduction Program funds member associations directly for their income generation projects, with EFA serving as the technical grant monitor to ensure the successful implementation of the project. The UNDP Extreme Poverty Reduction Program has funded the expansion of the community garden project for AJSYSGOD and the development of an animal husbandry business for AWALLA.
EFA also seeds some of these associations with zero-interest loans and provides mentorship during the delicate start-up phase to ensure success and proper management. Through income generation projects, associations develop the cohesiveness and financial independence necessary to support members and plan for the future.
Income generation projects provide association members with steady employment that is free from stigma and discrimination, on-the-job skills development that can be adapted for use in their everyday lives, and shared income that the association can use to cover operational costs, launch new activities, and subsidize assistance to members with nutritional and medical needs.
