ILO-led business coaching boosts livelihood development of women entrepreneurs in Grenada
Programme seeks to strengthen gender equality and resilience in agribusiness sector.
10 September 2023
A unique business coaching programme developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO) is directly providing gender-responsive business skills development to 14 women who are small-scale business owners in Grenada’s farming and fisheries sectors.
Delivered with support from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), the eight-week programme coaches women entrepreneurs on how to successfully start and manage their businesses so they can become empowered socially and economically. The coaches are women who have been prepared by the ILO to deliver coaching to other women who are aspiring to grow their own enterprises.
The unique coaching model offers a sustainable approach to knowledge sharing and skills development since it can be regenerated over time. Built on the comprehensive UNTFHS framework, the coaching provides participants with practical and tangible benefits such as financial literacy and planning skills to improve their decision-making for increased productivity, earnings and agility of their businesses and communities. It will also promote greater involvement of women in labour markets and contribute to the strengthening of local value chains.
“Rural women are among the most vulnerable groups in small island developing states such as Grenada. This coaching is designed to strengthen their capacity to cope better with risks related to climate and environmental disasters, health crises, global economic downturns and geo-political conflict. As a result, they will be better equipped to minimize possible disruptions to their businesses and livelihoods for the long-term wellbeing of themselves and their families,” said John Bliek, ILO Caribbean Specialist in Sustainable Enterprise Development.
“I am learning how to prepare a business plan so I can map processes, make improvements to my operations and train others to help me run my business,” says Stephanie Lewis, a farmer who is benefiting from the business continuity aspects of the programme.
Upon completion of this innovative business coaching programme, the ILO expects that women entrepreneurs in Grenada’s agriculture and fisheries sectors will be better positioned to increase their market access and readiness, thereby strengthening their economic participation, and increasing their resilience to shocks.
For more information, please visit the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security website.
Delivered with support from the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security (UNTFHS), the eight-week programme coaches women entrepreneurs on how to successfully start and manage their businesses so they can become empowered socially and economically. The coaches are women who have been prepared by the ILO to deliver coaching to other women who are aspiring to grow their own enterprises.
The unique coaching model offers a sustainable approach to knowledge sharing and skills development since it can be regenerated over time. Built on the comprehensive UNTFHS framework, the coaching provides participants with practical and tangible benefits such as financial literacy and planning skills to improve their decision-making for increased productivity, earnings and agility of their businesses and communities. It will also promote greater involvement of women in labour markets and contribute to the strengthening of local value chains.
“Rural women are among the most vulnerable groups in small island developing states such as Grenada. This coaching is designed to strengthen their capacity to cope better with risks related to climate and environmental disasters, health crises, global economic downturns and geo-political conflict. As a result, they will be better equipped to minimize possible disruptions to their businesses and livelihoods for the long-term wellbeing of themselves and their families,” said John Bliek, ILO Caribbean Specialist in Sustainable Enterprise Development.
“I am learning how to prepare a business plan so I can map processes, make improvements to my operations and train others to help me run my business,” says Stephanie Lewis, a farmer who is benefiting from the business continuity aspects of the programme.
Upon completion of this innovative business coaching programme, the ILO expects that women entrepreneurs in Grenada’s agriculture and fisheries sectors will be better positioned to increase their market access and readiness, thereby strengthening their economic participation, and increasing their resilience to shocks.
For more information, please visit the United Nations Trust Fund for Human Security website.