Economic Development Initiative
United Methodist Women Economic Development Initiative (EDI) provides seed funds to support women interested in starting viable small enterprises, agribusinesses and income-generating activities. This creates economic opportunities even in the most vulnerable rural communities. Empowering women economically enhances livelihoods and improves the well-being of children, families and communities.
The opportunities that these funds create for women, their families and communities are powerful alternatives, especially in light of COVID-19 when there are fewer and fewer paid jobs as the situation is becoming more insecure.
Gender equality is a major consideration in COVID-19 because women are at the heart of care and response efforts, and they do the majority of unpaid care work. Women's economic empowerment closes gaps in the world of work, increases income opportunities, and is key to sustainable development and family and community security.
Economic Development Stories:
Sierra Leonean Women Learn Skills at the Betty Carew Centre
In the Kissy neighborhood of Freetown, Sierra Leone, 12 women learned new, marketable skills of making interior design products and headgear at the Betty Carew Women’s Training Centre.
The Story of Rose Awinja: From the Dumpsite to a Food Basket
After Rose Awinja’s husband died she was left alone with six children to care for and no way to make an income. The United Methodist Women funded Operation Hope delivers a weekly food basket to Rosa’s family, so she no longer has to scavenge at a dumpsite for things to sell.
A Piggery in Sierra Leone Expands During the Rainy Season
One of four recent projects to receive an economic development grant from United Methodist Women, a piggery in the Kono district in Sierra Leone is expanding and will soon supply pigs to the whole district.