Combating poverty and empowering youth.. The impact of economic inclusion programs and their results on society

Combat poverty and empower youth.. The impact of economic inclusion programs and their results on society

The issues of poverty, inequality, and unemployment have transformed from numbers circulated in international reports into a reality that imposes itself forcefully, and puts pressure on the ability of societies to withstand successive economic and climate turmoil. In the face of this scene, economic inclusionemerges as one of the paths that international institutions rely on to strengthen the most vulnerable groups in society.

The concept of economic inclusion – in general – refers to those programs that aim to enable the most vulnerable groups in society – such as the poor, women, and youth – to participate effectively and sustainably in economic activity.

In detail, the concept of economic inclusion translates into helping poor families improve income levels and develop assets through digital cash transfers, skills training, providing capital for small projects, guidance, and facilitating access to markets. These are tools that open new paths towards more sustainable economic opportunities and are not limited to providing direct support.

Within this approach, the World Bank set a goal to expand the umbrella of social protection to reach 500 million people by 2030, including 250 million women. This approach extends to a system of interconnected interventions that translate the concept of economic inclusion into reality, in line with the goals of sustainable development, especially poverty eradication, gender equality, and decent work.

According to the World Bank’s “Status ReportEconomic Inclusion 2024,” these programs have expanded to reach 15 million families – more than 70 million people in 88 countries – most of which are managed by governments, and NGOs are working to expand and supplement support. Despite this progress, extreme poverty remains an urgent challenge, as about 700 million people live on less than $2.15 a day, which makes accelerating the scope of these programs an urgent necessity.

The power of economic inclusion in empowering communities

International experiences reveal that economic inclusion programs have a high ability to improve the lives of poor families and enhance their financial stability. Among the most prominent of these experiments:

Niger

In Niger, household spending on food, health care, education, and other goods and services increased by 15% thanks to the implementation of these programs locally, while the revenues of women’s projects doubled; Which reflects a direct impact on enhancing their economic independence.

Zambia

Also in Zambia, the“Women’s Livelihood Support Program achieved growth of nearly 20% in spending on food and non-food commodities, and 45% in project profits, and was able to cover its cost in just one year, which is a clear indication of its economic efficiency.

Afghanistan

The Afghanistan experience in this context also provides an expressive model of the effectiveness of these programs. Participating families achieved a 32% increase in income and a greater diversification of sources of income five years after implementing the economic inclusion programs. This enhanced its ability to face the challenges of drought and recurring conflicts.

All of these models agree that economic inclusion programs are a development investment with a high return, especially when these programs are integrated with government systems, and then they turn into a development lever capable of expanding job opportunities and improving resilience in the long term.

Engaging women and youth to achieve sustainable change

One of the most prominent effects of economic inclusion programs is their ability to create productive job opportunities for women. Although 90% of these programs target women in general, only a third of them focus explicitly on empowering them economically. These efforts can also be strengthened by introducing some modifications to the program design, to address issues such as social traditions, burdens of care, and legal and regulatory obstacles.

On the other hand, youth unemployment represents another priority, especially in areas that are witnessing rapid population growth. In this context, we find that about two-thirds of economic inclusion programs in such areas focus on youth, and this is through encouraging self-employment in rural environments, while in cities the need for programs that expand job opportunities emerges, through skills training, vocational training programs, and building partnerships with employers, thus providing youth with more economic paths. Diversified and sustainable.

In Bangladesh – for example – a successful model is presented in which the World Bank cooperated with the government to empower young people most in need of support, especially women, through training, mentoring and vocational learning opportunities in new fields, thus enhancing their economic participation and creating more sustainable paths.

Expanding partnerships to leave a comprehensive impact

Expanding economic inclusion programsand increasing their effectiveness requires enhancing the efficiency and quality of their implementation, which can be achieved through government systems supported by digital technologies, and in partnership with non-governmental and community organizations and the private sector to ensure greater access to the most vulnerable groups.

This approach depends on adapting the design of programs to the nature of each community and region, facilitating their expansion and sustainability when integrated within national social protection systems. The integrated model that provides job opportunities for the poor and vulnerable groups – while ensuring appropriate protection during crises – is an effective investment for any government that is serious about combating poverty and providing equal opportunities that enable citizens to improve their conditions and invest in their potential.

A pioneering Egyptian experience

In the context of national efforts to promote social justice and reduce poverty, the experience ofProgramSolidarity and Dignity represents one of the most prominent national models that embody the principles ofEconomic Inclusionthat the article addressed; Because the program provides conditional cash assistance to the poorest families, and extends to include a combination of financial support and empowering individuals by linking aid to education and health, which enhances the building of sustainable human capital capable of improving income opportunities in the long term.

The program targets multiple groups, including children, women, the elderly, and people with disabilities, according to specific criteria that ensure that support reaches those who deserve it. The program has witnessed a remarkable expansion in recent years, covering about 5.2 million families, with a total of 21 million citizens, and with funding amounting to 41 billion pounds, in a step that reflects the state’s move towards a more comprehensive social protection system that is compatible with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as the first goal: eradicating poverty.

Towards a more resilient and just future

The State of Economic Inclusion 2024 report indicates that this inclusion goes beyond being an investment option for governments, to become a path capable of changing the lives of millions of people who daily face poverty, lack of opportunities, and declining hope.

Whether it is for policymakers, development experts, or international partners, expanding economic inclusion programs wherever possible remains an urgent necessity. If societies want to build a more resilient, inclusive and equitable future, strengthening these programs is one of the keys to achieving that goal.

Hence,The Earth Guards Foundation sees the need to make more efforts to strengthen economic inclusion programs, especially with pioneering national experiences such as Takaful and Karama, which have proven the ability of social protection – when combined with economic empowerment – to make a real impact in the lives of the most vulnerable groups; In order to support the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to poverty eradication, decent work and economic growth; In preparation for a more stable and prosperous future for all.