Africa: Reflective Stakeholder's Meeting and Pywieg Project Wrap-Up

16 August 2024
Democracy Works (Johannesburg)
press release By Kahisano Kolobe

Synthesising PYWEIG's Results into a Concrete Solution for Women and Youth: A Responsive Enterprise Business Support Services

Background

Strengthening the socio-economic development and employability of women and youth-led enterprises in Lesotho is paramount. In realising this goal, Democracy Works Foundation (DWF), in partnership with the Federation of Women Lawyers (FIDA), implemented a 3-and-a-half-year initiative called: "Putting Youth and Women at the Centre of Inclusive Economic Growth" (PYWIEG). The programme was made possible by the support of the European Union People through the European Union Delegation in Lesotho. The project championed change agents by contributing to the support of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in initiatives that promote youth and women participation and empowerment and strengthening youth and women led CSOs' capacities and participation in decision-making processes at district and national levels.

Additionally, the project contributed to strengthening the capacity of CSOs and Business Development Service (BDS) providers to support the employability, business and entrepreneurial skills of youth and women while also enhancing the capacity of Community Council Members and District Development Coordinating Committees in facilitating participatory and responsive enterprise support services to Small Micro Medium Enterprises (SMMEs) led by women and youth. This has been achieved through supporting, advocating and piloting more relevant education, vocational training development strategies and promoting economic and social rights.

Purpose and Objective

This is envisioned to be a hybrid event that aims to take stock of the PYWIEG journey by examining the achievements, successes and lessons learnt. This will also allow the stakeholders to deliberate on the sustainability and continuity of the implemented interventions. In light of this, the event will also enable the stakeholders to discuss their success stories, the results achieved by the project as well as the opportunities to foster responsive business and entrepreneurial services for women and youth in Lesotho. Discussions will also capture key lessons as well as chart the way forward to enhance sustainability and fortify the achievements of the project, thereby promoting continuity and sustainability of the project. The event will involve stakeholders' input on the recommendations for future interventions.

The event is informed by the following key specific objectives:

  1. To reflect on the achievements, successes and lessons of the PYWIEG project
  2. To examine strategies for sustaining the achievements and successes of the PYWIEG project
  3. To proffer recommendations for future interventions.

Additionally, the event will also herald the launch of an online portal - multisector enterprise support network, incorporating digital technology in response to some of the challenges faced by women and youth in the country. The multi-sector platform publishes services and products aimed at strengthening SMMEs, easily accessible online. Notably, the online portal will also provide some key messages and resources and self-learning materials to guide and support women and youth in their SMMEs.

DWF and FIDA will host the stakeholder's consultations on 23 August 2024.

Target audiences

  • Civil Society Organisations: Youth and Women-led Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) participating in the PYWIEG programme as beneficiaries and those that have not participated.
  • Business Development Service Providers: Organisations offering training, consultancy, and financial services for opportunities and collaboration with the programme beneficiaries.
  • Private Sector: Individuals/ companies/ organisation with vested interest in promoting enterprise development with similar programming.
  • Aspiring and active Youth and Women entrepreneurs to access the wealth of resources and learning products developed from the Programme
  • Development Partners: Development Partners contributing to the realisation of empowered women and youth in Lesotho.

View the Information Pack and Agenda here

Read this report on Democracy Works.

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