ENTREPRENEURSHIP
WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

Violence is often linked to poverty. This was the motivation for the WDC’s establishment of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Program—to help give women greater economic empowerment. Women have access to training in entrepreneurship skills development, especially business management and business planning, credit management, and also marketing. They also have access to livelihood loans, a micro-credit program to support small businesses. Loans can be as small as 5000 rupees, and yet this money can make a huge difference in helping women with start-up funding, or in getting their products to market.

“The WDC has helped me in every aspect of my life. Because of that we have improved financially, and I have become one of the leaders of my community. The training that we have received from WDC for the last 14 years has helped to improve our standard of living personally and in our community. Life is much more comfortable now.” 
(Ramya Kulatunga, woman entrepreneur, Gampola)

YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP PROGRAMME

Through its work in vulnerable communities, the WDC has recognized that a lack of education or skills, along with poverty, forces some youth to fall prey to drug abuse, violence or crime. WDC was able to extend its services to this vulnerable segment of society. With the aim of improving the educational and economic status of vulnerable youth, the WDC offers knowledge and skills development training as well as opportunities for self employment and progress in life. A new funding organization sponsored this project for WDC.

The youth selected for training were assembled through women’s groups in three selected districts. Over 500 youth received awareness on themes outlined in the general WDC programs, and then were trained in skills such as soft toys and doll making, fabric painting, home gardening, horticulture, food technology, three-wheeler repair, house wiring, gem cutting, and other skill areas.

Three Vocational Training Centers were set up in the three districts providing a permanent opportunity for youth of these areas. We had many requests to continue these training courses, which were popular among the youth who saw their friends gaining opportunities towards a secure income. 

The trained youth together with the women who are engaged in self employment, set up an Association for Micro Scale Entrepreneurs. The youth collaborate with the respective women’s forum and participate in trade fairs, gaining opportunities to market their products to NGOs and government institutions. These young entrepreneurs also collaborate with the National Youth Council to participate in trade fairs/exhibitions.