Back On The Map

Summary

Back on the map project launched under the Livelihoods and Inclusive Finance Expansion (LIFE) Funded by USAID and implemented by EDF (Entrepreneurial Development Foundation).

Through this project, our principle objective was to support entrepreneurs evolve into business leaders and improve economic opportunities of marginalized low-income microenterprises especially those lead by women.

As this objective and during the four cycles of the project, EDF was able to implement training workshops in 12 different places for 12 different groups of beneficiaries, with a total number of 360 beneficiaries out of a total of 300 with 20 % over target and we still have pending interested trainees in the South and in the Bekaa.

EDF distributed 115 in-kind grants to MSMEs for $128,975.

The Participation of women was impressive, 56% in Bekaa and 50% in south. Participants were totally committed to the training and showed enthusiasm while participating in the training sessions and activities. Many groups are still pending in the south and the Bekaa.

Results

Beneficiaries informed us that their revenue was increased directly after the training.

Beneficiaries moved from home to a shop or for another big shop with more exposure.

Beneficiaries created 19 (7%) new jobs opportunities

With disability participated to the training and four of them benefited from in kind grants.

As usual, we got supported by many NGOs and Communities as:Saida Municipality, Michel Daher Social Foundation, Clac – Kaa, Culture Club – Tyre, Montada El Mokaadine – Zahle, Ain Ebel Municipality, Ghaze Municipality, Mount Hermon Municipality Federation, Kousaibe Municipality, Development Cooperation of Jezzine.

Testimonials

Meet Ahmad El Baba from Saida, a working man with a strong will and an exceptional love for life. Ahmad benefited from the USAID funded LIFE project. He enrolled in a training workshop delivered by Entrepreneurial Development Foundation (EDF) and he presented a simple business plan at the end of the training. As a result, he received an in-kind grant that hugely impacted his source of income. He is now able to ensure additional income to his family.

“Go for it! And you can do it!” This is how Rouba Ayyoub from Kfarmechki in Western Bekaa is encouraging every woman who has a great idea to turn it into a great venture. Thanks to the training and equipment she received from #USAID, under the The Livelihoods and Inclusive Finance Expansion project – LIFE project, Rouba was able to improve her production of healthy food products, expand her business, and create opportunities for several households. Rouba is a testament to the spiraling potential of women when given the right resources and motivation.

My name is Isabelle Bou Khalife Saliba and I’m a mother of 3. I started my business 12 years ago in Kaa al Rim in Zahle. We produce wheat groats, moughrabie and couscous and we export worldwide. With the help of EDF and their training courses, I was able to better structure my business and expand it. We entered the world of spices and this is where I requested a spice filling machine from the USAID funded LIFE project in order to save time and effort. Entering a new expansion opened several business opportunities where I was able to hire employees and increase my profit.

My name is Lina Fakhreddine, Founder of “Hiwayat”, a specialized training center for kids and adults where we teach handicrafts. I joined a training course funded by USAID, where I learned some aspects of Business Management, Finance and Marketing. USAID also provided us with an embroidery machine and a refrigerator that helped us increase our earnings. I encourage every woman with a passion to achieve her dream and become a role model for her children.