Monrovia – The Government of Liberia through the National Commission On Disabilities (NCD), has launched an empowerment an economic empowerment project, which aims to empower 5000 persons with disabilities (PWDs) across the 15 counties beginning with piloting phase targeting 100 PWDs in Bong, Nimba, Lofa, Grand Bassa, and Montserrado Counties.
The piloting phase consists of four components, which includes, Livelihood skill training for women and girls with disabilities, Entrepreneurship support for women and youth with disabilities, Agri-business support for farmers with disabilities, Academic assistance for children with disabilities and those of parents with disabilities.
The initiative will last up to 2029 and will involve collaboration with relevant stakeholders and organizations representing PWDs.
The Livelihood Skill Training will Focus on women and girls with disabilities (15 beneficiaries in five counties), while the Entrepreneurship Support is Targeted at women and youth with disabilities (40 beneficiaries in five counties.
The Agri-business Support will provide Assistance for farmers with disabilities (25 beneficiaries in five counties), while the Academic Assistance will provide Support to children/students with disabilities and children of parents with disabilities (20 beneficiaries in five counties).
The project is aligned with the overall goal of the National Development Plan, the AAID (Contributing to Liberia’s Transition from low-income country to lower-middle income country).
Specifically, the Project is aligned with Pillar 6 (Human Capital Development) of the National Development Plan-AAID, contributing to the strategic policy of the pillar, Develop a skilled, knowledgeable, healthy and empowered population, to drive sustainable and inclusive socio-economic development.
The project will support the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), supporting the principle of “Leave No One Behind” through inclusive and resilient interventions.
Overall, the Goal is to reduce the number of PWDs lacking access to economic and social opportunities through transformational programs by 5000 in the next 5 years.
The initial phase will last for 6 months, with specific aim to provide access to finance for 40 women and youth with disabilities distributed across the five project counties, support employable and livelihood skills for 15 women and girls with disabilities distributed across the five project counties, support agribusiness initiatives for 25 farmers with disabilities distributed across the five project counties, support tuition aid for 20 children/students with disabilities out of school due to lack of support distributed across the five project counties.
The Empowerment of 100 PWD’S will support 40 PWDs women and youth with disabilities through training and access to finance to improve their businesses in five counties.
25 farmers with disabilities will be supported through capacity building and access to finance to increase productivity and value addition, while 15 women and girls with disabilities will be supported to acquire employable skills to enhance livelihood independence.
20 children/students with disabilities and children of parents with disabilities will be supported through tuition aid service to enhance school retention for students with disabilities.
The National Commission on Disabilities will partner with the Liberia Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture and OPWDs to provide business idea generation, entrepreneurship skill and farm management skill training.
The National Commission on Disabilities social work department and county coordinators will be capacitated to conduct regular field visits and engage with beneficiaries to provide coaching and mentoring for all beneficiaries in consultation with the Project Officer to ensure that gradual positive change in the mindset of PWDs, deviating from seeking charity and gift to seeking livelihood and economic independence.
The Economic Empowerment project aims to create lasting positive change for persons with disabilities, ensuring their active participation in national development and societal well-being, reducing the level of vulnerabilities and poverty among persons with disabilities.
