This thematic area focuses on the livelihoods of women and youth by prioritizing local economic development. These include:
- Education, skills development and entrepreneurship
- Promote access to quality vocational trainings
- Promote the development of life skills, soft skills, and hard skills
- Entrepreneurial trainings, coaching and support
- Access to financial services and promotion of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs)
- Financial literacy and management trainings
2. Promote personal development and social inclusion through building social connections and relationships.
3. Community Engagement: Promoting volunteerism and community service
META Foundation is committed to promoting financial inclusion through various initiatives aimed at enhancing access to financial services for underserved communities. Under this thematic area, META Foundation facilitates the establishment of Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), which are community-based groups that allow members to save together and access small loans from those savings. We provide training to VSLA members on financial literacy, savings culture, and effective loan management to ensure the sustainability and success of the groups and offers continuous support to improve the governance and management structures of VSLAs, ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making.
META Foundation is currently introducing and integrating digital tools to streamline VSLA operations. This includes mobile applications for record-keeping, digital wallets for savings, and mobile banking services to enhance financial transactions and access to formal credits by VSLAs members. As part of our digitization efforts, we educate VSLA members on the use of digital platforms and tools to ensure they can effectively leverage technology to manage their savings and loans. META Foundation also facilitates linkages between VSLAs and formal financial institutions, particularly rural and community banks, to provide members with access to a wider range of financial products and services. We do this by building partnerships with stakeholders, including community chiefs, financial service providers, international NGOs and Development partners, government agencies, and other NGOs, to create a supportive ecosystem that enhances financial inclusion.
META Foundation has worked with the Ghana Sweden Chamber of Commerce (GSCC) for over 4-years in support of women and youth skills and entrepreneurship development in Ghana.
The two organisations have championed job creation for the youth through vocational skills development, ICT, Agriculture and entrepreneurship. The organisations have also incorporated health and well-being in supporting beneficiaries, especially adolescent girls and young mothers.
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