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What we do

Economic Opportunity

economic-opportunity-tint.png Economic Opportunity

Overview

To achieve the most lasting development in fragile settings, one intervention is more powerful than all the rest: creating jobs.

Relief International’s economic opportunity programs are based on the belief that creating employment is the most critical pathway to building resilience for communities in vulnerable situations. Our programs are based on sustainable, enterprise-oriented solutions. We help small producers and other entrepreneurs build businesses that transform their communities, create quality jobs, and increase productivity, market opportunities, and incomes. We do this by expanding access to small-scale technologies that are appropriate for fragile settings, as well as providing technical assistance, knowledge, and financial support.

All of Relief International’s livelihoods work is underpinned by protection measures. This means we ensure that groups with high vulnerability or special needs have access and dignity in attaining the economic opportunities they need to thrive.

Our economic opportunities programs include:

  • Energy projects like fuel efficient cookstoves, solar power, and small-scale village electrification that offer environmentally-friendly solutions that lower expenses.
  • Promotion of low-cost technologies, all locally manufactured by the local private sector using techniques that do not require costly imported machinery.
  • Boosting incomes while protecting biodiversity through profitable resource management and industry building.
  • Agribusiness initiatives that alleviate poverty through enterprise-focused agricultural interventions.
  • Fostering entrepreneurship for forcibly displaced persons by providing training, start-up grants, and establishing community savings and loan groups.
  • Providing cash-based assistance to families during emergencies or times of economic strain to stimulate the local economy.
  • Establishing household gardens that enable women to sell excess produce at the market to generate more income.
South Sudan. Elie Gardner/RI
Our Impact in 2023

Where we focus in economic opportunity

308K
people with increased income from sustainable economic opportunities
14K
people trained on critical skills and capacity building for increased access to economic opportunities
4.2K
number of jobs created for people in fragile settings
South Sudan. Elie Gardner/RI

Enterprise Development in Fragile Settings

Philippines

From the ground up: The women leading grassroots peacebuilding efforts in the Philippines

Last month, Relief International facilitated a five-day workshop as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the participation and leadership of women in peacebuilding across the Philippines.  

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South Sudan

Glimmers of hope amid ongoing crisis in South Sudan

In the face of continued conflict, displacement, and climate shocks, Relief International is working with community members to improve sustainable access to clean water and rebuild livelihoods.

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Türkiye

Using gaming to transform rehabilitation in Türkiye

We have been supporting people with disabilities in Türkiye for more than eight years. Today we are using gaming technology to help patients stay motivated, consistent, and confident in their recovery.  

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Yemen

From survival to strength: How women in Yemen are rebuilding their lives with dignity

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Ghana

The Gyapa™ cookstove: A thriving, climate-friendly business

Since 2007, Relief International has worked alongside Ghanaian communities and CO2 emissions experts to design, produce and sell a cooking solution that is not only safer, but more cost efficient and climate conscious. With each cookstove sale, local businesses benefit—in turn bolstering the Ghanian economy.

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Pakistan

Building futures: How skills training is transforming the lives of youth in Pakistan.

As the world marks World Youth Skills Day, Relief International stands proud of its contribution to providing tailored, community-based skills development programs across Pakistan.

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Yemen

Ghabsha’s Path to Self-Reliance Through Sweets

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Lebanon

Cultivating a More Secure Future in Lebanon

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Lebanon

Nidal’s Culinary Journey in Lebanon

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Philippines

From the ground up: The women leading grassroots peacebuilding efforts in the Philippines

IMG_3042-e1774259881233.jpg

South Sudan

Glimmers of hope amid ongoing crisis in South Sudan

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Türkiye

Using gaming to transform rehabilitation in Türkiye

Ahad-with-her-solgan-2.jpg

Yemen

From survival to strength: How women in Yemen are rebuilding their lives with dignity

Ghana-2.jpg

Ghana

The Gyapa™ cookstove: A thriving, climate-friendly business

7a2d7089-6684-4ae9-b088-f1d8ad424b3c.jpg

Pakistan

Building futures: How skills training is transforming the lives of youth in Pakistan.

Yemen

Ghabsha’s Path to Self-Reliance Through Sweets

Jerjes-Lebanon-Livelihoods-2024.png

Lebanon

Cultivating a More Secure Future in Lebanon

Nidal marketing her products

Lebanon

Nidal’s Culinary Journey in Lebanon

IMG_8269.jpg
IMG_3042-e1774259881233.jpg
DSC04368-Edit.jpg
Ahad-with-her-solgan-2.jpg
Ghana-2.jpg
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Jerjes-Lebanon-Livelihoods-2024.png
Nidal marketing her products
IMG_8269.jpg

From the ground up: The women leading grassroots peacebuilding efforts in the Philippines

IMG_3042-e1774259881233.jpg

Glimmers of hope amid ongoing crisis in South Sudan

DSC04368-Edit.jpg

Using gaming to transform rehabilitation in Türkiye

Ahad-with-her-solgan-2.jpg

From survival to strength: How women in Yemen are rebuilding their lives with dignity

Ghana-2.jpg

The Gyapa™ cookstove: A thriving, climate-friendly business

7a2d7089-6684-4ae9-b088-f1d8ad424b3c.jpg

Building futures: How skills training is transforming the lives of youth in Pakistan.

Ghabsha’s Path to Self-Reliance Through Sweets

Jerjes-Lebanon-Livelihoods-2024.png

Cultivating a More Secure Future in Lebanon

Nidal marketing her products

Nidal’s Culinary Journey in Lebanon

Featured Resources

Client Perspective

Through Relief International's business skills training program, I learned to design attractive gift boxes and how to reach my clients directly without any middle-men. Now I earn more profit.

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South Sudan. Elie Gardner/RI

Get in touch

For more information on Relief International’s work in economic opportunity, please contact [email protected].