The International Rescue Committee works to protect, support and improve household livelihoods and to revitalize local economies. We work in four key areas to achieve this: knowledge and skills, finance and resources, access to markets, and strengthening institutions. Between 2006 and 2009 we've helped nearly 260,000 people get jobs, trained 21,000 people in business-related themes and helped 4,000 enterprises start up or expand.
Knowledge and Skills
We work with farmers, entrepreneurs and apprentices to enhance their "know-how" in business and economy. This can increase incomes, improve job prospects and grow businesses.
For example, in Liberia, the IRC supports two vocational training schools to train students in professions such as electrical engineering, mechanics and agriculture. On graduation we help link students to employment opportunities.
Finance and Resources
We work with micro-finance institutions and community-savings associations to increase access for individuals and small and medium enterprises to finance and resources such as credit and targeted investment. In post-conflict situations where access to credit is limited, we provide direct cash grants to individuals and enterprises.
In Burundi the IRC has trained and supported over 1,700 men and women in savings and loans associations. These self-managed institutions provide savings, insurance and credit services to people who don't have access to banks. Such projects often also support non-economic goals, such as improving women's decision-making power.
Access to Markets
There is no point in having the tastiest goat meat or producing the most beautiful shoes if there is no one to purchase these goods. We work to make markets work to the maximum extent possible for people affected by conflict.
In the displaced-persons camps of northern Uganda, marginalised and isolated farmers are now collectively negotiating with and profitably selling to one of Uganda's largest private sector cotton buyers. Initial sales of nearly $25,000 transformed the lives of more 400 households.
Strengthening Institutions
As well as working directly with individuals, communities and small businesses we also work with governments and non-governmental institutions to improve the business environment.
Building on the Ugandan government's recent push for decentralization and local planning the IRC is undertaking pioneering efforts to support economic planning and investment in the Karamoja region. Private and public sector investments are used to improve infrastructure, business processes and market linkages.
