Sunday, June 7, 2009

AusAID for MEDEP’s Phase III in Nepal

Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) have signed a AUS$4.5 million cost-sharing agreement to continue support for the Micro-Enterise Development Programme (MEDEP) in Nepal.

The additional resources from AusAID will allow UNDP to support 20,000 more families to establish agro-based, forest-based, tourism-based and servicebased micro enterprises through MEDEP’s Phase III (April 2008-December 2010).

The programme aims to contribute to the government’s effort to reduce poverty by creating economic opportunites especially for the poor, unemployed youths, women and socially marginalised groups.

“Australia’s support for MEDEP supports the development and livelihood needs of the poorest and the most vulnerable. By addressing the issue of exclusion, MEDEP is contributing to securing peace for Nepal,” said Susan Grace, Australian ambassador to Nepal.

“Employment, specially for the youth and women, is one top priority for Nepal.

AusAID’s contribution is critical to promote this agenda and we very much look forward to this continued partnership,” said Anne Isabelle Degryse Blateau, UNDP country director.

MEDEP is a joint initiative of the government and UNDP since 1998 and the programme is being implemented in 31 districts of Nepal. Since its inception, MEDEP has developed about 37,000 micro entrepreneurs — 67 per cent women, 21 per cent Dalits, and 47 per cent youth — and created about 42,000 additional sustainable jobs for the poor and excluded groups. The average increase in the income of the entrepreneurs is 278 per cent.

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