1200 Vulnerable women and youth receiving economic empowerment through Innovative Livelihood Interventions

Konkola Copper Mines has been partnering with DAPP since 2009 to implement part of its Corporate Social Responsibility programmes around its mine in a project called “KCM –Supporting Communities in Sustainable Livelihoods”. The project aims to reduce poverty among 1200 vulnerable women, youth and their households through innovative livelihood and economic empowerment as well as early childhood education and WASH interventions.

The project is currently being implemented in four districts of Zambia; Chingola, Chililabombwe and Kitwe on the Copperbelt Province and Shibuyunji District of Central Province. Women and youth group members have been reached with trans-formative social and economic activities and provided with income generating equipment, which include; sewing and knitting machine, welding machine, day-old chicks and block-making machines. The Women and the Youth groups were trained and coached in entrepreneurship skills, linked to markets and input supply.

Further, in Nampundwe area of Shibuyunji District, 20 preschools have been established with over 1,000 pupils enrolled at the preschools. The project also undertakes promotional activities on health, sanitation, nutritional and sustainable environmental activities in which skills and knowledge on good practices in the households are shared.