Making Cents International

Supported by Making Cents, the #INVEST and #UNITY projects highlight the critical role of personalized support in entrepreneurship development. By recognizing that each business operates in a unique context and tailoring guidance accordingly, both projects were able to support businesses in achieving notable outcomes. Key principles, such as resource investment and flexibility, provide a valuable framework for future initiatives to drive meaningful, lasting change for entrepreneurs. Read on: https://ow.ly/2EBq50Uv8wj

Lately, the international development sector has been abuzz with fresh insights from combining gender and social inclusion analyses. These analyses have been instrumental in advancing #Gender in USAID programming over time, but they have not always fully captured the disparities that hinder the achievement of USAID development objectives. Dr. Christine Allison explains the four key distinguishing differentiators that result in a wider variety of insights, entry points, and leverage points.

Coming this fall. #GYEO2025

Making Cents is proud to support the growth and development of young professionals in #Ukraine through USAID’s #UNITY activity. Hear from four of our interns on how their experience contributed to their professional development.

Making Cents’ Sr. Director for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, Muthoni Kamuyu-Ojuolo, attended the SVRI Forum in Cape Town, South Africa this October. Among other themes, technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) was an area of much discussion. Power inequalities play out in all types of societal interactions, including in the digital arena, and especially on social media platforms. While the #16Days has passed, we can still consider the types of actions we can all take that can advance more equitable sociocultural norms. Read on: https://ow.ly/SqL150UoGJt

Making Cents aims to embed practices that combat stigma and discrimination, promote empowerment, and improve the lives of underrepresented communities. Through the implementation of #IDAMS, we are increasing engagement of diverse perspectives. We support Grupa Izadji in #Serbia to advance inclusion in Serbia’s workplaces and business communities by promoting economic empowerment for LGBTQI+ people. Additionally, the #UNITY activity in Ukraine aims to foster youth leadership and increase youth economic opportunities. By promoting empowerment and elevating marginalized voices, we strive to create a more equitable world. https://ow.ly/bf0E50UnO6C #HumanRightsDay

We are excited to announce that Making Cents’ YEO 2030 Program Manager, Vicky Aridi, will speak at COP-16 on December 7, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. She will share insights from this year’s #GYEOSummit and our work at two key events: 1. Decent Youth Employment: Hosted by ILO, UNCCD, and UNEP and featuring speakers from the Government of Germany, African Development Bank, UNEP, ILO, and the private sector. 2. Job Creation: Youth at the Forefront of Green Solutions: Hosted by the Youth Employment Funders Group and UNEP, with young entrepreneurs; UNEP's Youth, Education, and Advocacy Unit; and representatives from the Youth Employment Funders Group and ILO. We look forward to engaging with global leaders and innovators in #youth employment and sustainable development.

The USAID #CAREGBV Activity developed a suite of knowledge products to strengthen USAID’s collective prevention and response in #GBV development programming. These resources support users in applying comprehensive and inclusive approaches to address GBV. View the catalog here: https://bit.ly/49FXaYK #16Days

Through the #IDAMS Activity, Making Cents works for #inclusion for persons with disabilities. IDAMS has convened persons with disabilities and other key stakeholders to provide USAID Operating Units and Missions with valuable insights and recommendations on how to improve disability inclusion in policies, programs, and country strategies. IDAMS has provided recommendations to USAID’s Bureaus of Humanitarian Assistance and Global Health to improve disability inclusion in their policies and programs (Assessment of Disability Inclusion in Humanitarian Response: https://ow.ly/PQzn50UkleU). IDAMS has also provided strategic guidance for USAID’s new children’s eye health program and examined the situation of persons with disabilities in various inclusive development analyses in the Democratic Republic of Congo (IDAMS DRC Inclusive Development Analysis: https://ow.ly/ap7G50UkleV), Guinea, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. We will continue to support persons with disabilities and work for their inclusion. #IDPwD

For 28 years, WoMen Against Rape (WAR) has been a safe haven for #women and children in #Botswana. Join WAR’s leaders on The PYD Lab as they discuss their vital work in the Northwest District and how USAID’s CARE-GBV Small Grants Program supported their resilience and wellness. Listen now: https://ow.ly/SCtC50Ue1FP #16Days #EndGBV