Context
The education system and the economic infrastructure in the Democratic Republic of the Congo were almost completely destroyed by war, violence and the lack of government structures. This has resulted in extreme poverty and a lack of educational and economic opportunities. In order to overcome this situation, the population requires access to basic education, vocational training and advisory services so that income-generating employment can be created in rural areas. At present such access exists to a limited extent, if at all.
Although it has been possible to integrate many young people and young adults into society and working life since the start of the project in 2005, their economic and social prospects remain poor, particularly for girls and women.
Objective
Governmental and non-governmental players in the fields of basic education and income and employment generation are strengthened in their functions.
Approach
The project has been advancing the economic integration of disadvantaged young people and young adults in Maniema and South Kivu since 2005. In 2012 the project adopted new target groups and methods. The current phase concentrates on education (Component 1), agriculture (Component 2) with all related activities contributing to income and employment generation in rural areas. Component 3 focuses on enhancing the economic productivity of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and has been assigned to GOPA Consultants.
The target groups of the education component are school-age children and young people (particularly girls) and illiterate adults (especially women) in Maniema and South Kivu. The second component targets farmers (women and men) in rural areas who wish to increase their incomes. The project’s third component supports male and female craftspeople in the city of Kindu.
Results achieved so far
With the support of the programme, the government agencies in the basic education sector have been creating functional literacy training centres in 35 village communities since the start of the current phase. A total of 1,300 women and 160 men have so far participated in training. However, they have learned more than just reading, writing and basic mathematics.
The participants in the literacy courses are now better able to absorb and pass on technical information. In the classroom this has helped them to acquire practical skills and a deeper knowledge of agriculture, for example on how to apply improved cultivation methods. As a result they are now economically more productive and earn more. To support this process, the government authorities responsible for agriculture and rural development have developed specific strategies for agricultural advisory services.
The authority responsible for MSME promotion has supported 1,500 craftspeople in establishing seven craft guilds. In Maniema province, a chamber of commerce, in which the guilds are represented, was established by decree.
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Pictures (optional) Picture information Foto Komp 1 (1).jpg
DR Congo. Two young women, a literacy teacher and her student, at a chalkboard in Lukala, a village near Kindu. Literacy training is a cross-cutting theme in the REMAKI project and regarded as particularly innovative by the partners. © GIZ
Maniok auf dem Weg zum Markt in Elila.jpg
DR Congo. Manioc on the way to the market in Elila, a village near Kindu. Producing and selling basic foodstuffs opens up economic prospects for the population. © GIZ