Who We Serve
One size does not fit all
Using a human-centered approach, we have adapted our program to meet the specific needs of vulnerable populations.
Women
Over 83% of our entrepreneurs are women. Promoting gender equity and agency is a priority of our organization and an outcome of our program. According to the UN World Food Program findings, women and girls are most affected by neglect in rural, poverty-stricken areas. In Africa, women are more likely than men to be illiterate, perform unpaid work and eat less in lean times. With the income and savings from their businesses, our female entrepreneurs achieve increased involvement in household and community decision-making, and prioritize education, health care, and nutritious food for their families.
Learn more about our gender equity priority
Youth
Africa has the largest concentration of young people in the world, with close to 60% of its population under the age of 25. Most rural youths are unemployed, with few if any economic opportunities in the formal labor sector. Village Enterprise’s program provides rural youth with the resources, skills, and opportunity to become successful entrepreneurs. Investing in youth supports developing local and national economies and unlocks economic opportunities for decades to come.
Learn more about our work with youth
Refugees
Sub-Saharan Africa hosts more than 26% of the world’s refugee population. In Uganda alone, the number of refugees nears 1.5 million people and continues to grow due to unrest and civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan. Village Enterprise is responding to this crisis by providing refugees with a path out of poverty and dependence on aid by supporting them in creating sustainable businesses.
Learn more about our work with refugees