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Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment

Economic empowerment as a pathway to child protection and youth success

About the Program

Poverty is one of the main drivers that pushes children to the streets and keeps youth vulnerable. At IDYDC, we believe that strengthening family and community livelihoods is key to breaking this cycle. Through our Livelihoods & Economic Empowerment program, we equip families, women, and youth with the skills, resources, and opportunities to build sustainable sources of income.

Our work includes:

Family economic strengthening: Families of reunified children are trained in financial literacy and supported to access micro-credit services. This helps them manage finances better and engage in income-generating activities, reducing the risk of children returning to the streets.

Savings and loan groups (VSLAs): Women and youth are trained on how to form Village Savings and Loan (VSL) groups with their peers. These groups encourage a saving culture, build resilience, and provide access to small loans for household needs or starting small businesses.

Youth empowerment through savings groups: Youth who graduate from the Upendo Rehabilitation Center are supported to form saving groups, strengthening their financial independence and helping them work towards their dreams.

Entrepreneurship and vocational skills: Young people are trained in entrepreneurship and practical skills that open pathways for employment or self-employment.

By combining financial literacy, access to credit, and skills development, this program not only empowers youth and women economically but also strengthens families to provide lasting care and protection for their children.

Active Initiatives

Current and completed projects under this program.

Child Protection and Youth Empowerment Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment

Kizazi Kipya : New Generation

Kizazi Kipya (meaning New Generation) was a nationwide initiative aimed at improving the well-being of vulnerable children and young people in Tanzania, particularly those affected by HIV and AIDS. The project focused on strengthening families, improving access to essential health and social services, and ensuring that children and adolescents grow up in safe, supportive environments. From 2016 to 2021, IDYDC implemented Kizazi Kipya activities in Iringa Region in partnership with PACT, Railway Children Africa, and other national and international stakeholders. Project Goal To improve the health, protection, and socio-economic well-being of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) and adolescents, particularly those affected by HIV, by strengthening families and linking children to essential services. Legacy and Learning The Kizazi Kipya project strengthened community systems for child protection and laid a foundation for integrated service delivery for vulnerable children in Iringa. Lessons learned from this project continue to inform IDYDC’s ongoing work in child protection, early childhood development, and youth empowerment.
2016 - 2021
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Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment

Going Beyond

The Going Beyond – Partnering for a Youth-Led Future project is a collaboration between Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT) and the Mastercard Foundation that aims to scale DOT’s evidence-based, peer-to-peer model and will be executed in four African countries – Côte d’Ivoire, Malawi, Zambia, and Tanzania. Over five years, Going Beyond will empower over 300,000 youths, particularly young women, in Africa to lead transformational change. The project aims to progressively transfer the delivery and ownership of DOT’s evidence-based, youth-led programming, and equip youth as leaders of the future, drive economic growth, and contribute to sustainable development in their communities. Key outcomes include increased business revenues, improved livelihoods, and enhanced opportunities for youth employment.
2024 - 2028
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