In cooperation with CGAP the Consultative Group for the Advancement of the Poor (CGAP), and the Social Welfare Fund (SWF), SFD is implementing a pilot that aims at training a group of economically active SWF beneficiaries on establishing income generating activities. The project which will last thirty month, aims at targeting 750 beneficiaries in the Governorates of Aden, Lahj, and Taiz.

The consulting company acting as the technical assistance advisor has conducted a comprehensive baseline survey before the intervention to measure its impact. The survey was conducted wit the IPA Company and Yale University in the Governorates of Aden, Taiz, and Lahj. Also, the project 33 training course targeted at more than 600 beneficiaries living in the target areas, all working in activities such as: animal husbandry, marketing, and hairdressing. The project has already begun the process of buying working assets for all of its beneficiaries who had been trained to manage income-generating activities.

Graduating out of Poverty Project Yemen March 20^th, 2011

SFD continued to finance a number of small and micro finance programs and institutions to allow them to continue the provision of their financial services to the target group (males and females) carrying out income generating activities. Total funding reached YR 1.2 billion (equivalent to $ 5.5 million), as follows:

Funding of Small Enterprises

Funding of the Small and Micro Enterprises Development Fund:

SEDF is considered as the only governmental entity that provides financial services to male and female small entrepreneurs., through a number of branches spread across Yemen's Governorates. SFD is considered as SEDF's main funding partner, as YR 640 millions (about $ 3 millions) were set aside for covering the funding needs for its branches in Taiz, Ibb, Aden, and Mukalla. This amount is equivalent to the total amounts disbursed through three agreements signed with SFD.

Funding of Micro Enterprises

National Microfinance Foundation:

NMF was funded with YR 107.5 millions (equivalent about YR 502,800,000 million). This fund represents the total amount agreed upon in the loan agreement to finance operations in 12 branches in the Governorates of Sana'a, Hajja, Lahj, Hodeida, Dhamar, Ibb, Taiz. Such funding allowed NMF to continue the provision of its services to the target group.

Abyan MF Project:

The project provides its services in a number of districts in the Governorate of Abya, in addition to the city of Al-Mukalla by targeting women, mainly. Abyan MF was funded with YR 150 millions (about $ 701,590), representing the amounts agreed upon in two funding agreements signed the Yemen's Women Union – Abyan branch, which is the umbrella organization for the project.

Aden Microfinance Foundation:

A fund of YR 20 millions (about $ 93,450) was provided as part of a funding agreement signed with the foundation according to serve the target group in the Governorates of Aden and Lahj.

Sana'a Microfinance Program (Azal):

SFD funded the program with YR 80 millions (about YR 374,182) in accordance with a loan agreement signed with SOUL (the program's umbrella organization). Furthermore, a funding agreement worth YR 40 million, representing the second installment of total loan, amounting to YR 120 millions.

Nama Microfinance Program:

The program obtained a fund worth YR 97 millions (about $ 453,695) that was approved to cover the its needs, after witnessing an expansion of its activities through the opening new branches in Hodeida and Ibb, in addition to its existing branches in Sana'a, Taiz, and Aden. The fund is part of two agreements signed with Al-Islah Al-Ijtimaii Charitable Society - the umbrella organization.

Hadhramout MF Program:

SFD funded the program with YR 44 millions ($ 205,800), representing the total amount agreed upon in a loan agreement signed with Al-Nahdha Chariable Society. The program delivers its financial services in Seyun, Shibam, Tarim, Al-Qatn, Al-Soum.

Al-Awael MF Company:

The company was financed with YR 33 million (about $ 154,350), and is considered the first company in Yemen that provides its services mainly to women in a number of areas such as: the city of Taiz, Al-Raheda, and Al-Qaeda.