SEED Program Equips 447 Entrepreneurs with Disabilities across Three Cities

The Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation through SEED program, has successfully concluded a comprehensive series of entrepreneurship and technical skills training sessions in Woliso, Bahir Dar, and Alage for Persons with disabilities.

The initiative reached 447 individuals and was specifically designed to foster economic inclusion for persons with disabilities by equipping them with the practical tools and vocational expertise necessary to launch and sustain independent businesses.

In Woliso, the program prioritized the inclusion of persons with disabilities through a strategic partnership with Light for the World. A total of 116 participants, including 50 women, completed a customized three-day entrepreneurship course.

This was supplemented by specialized technical training delivered by Hope Enterprise, ensuring that graduates possessed both the business acumen and the specific technical skills required for their chosen ventures.

To ensure long-term sustainability, EDI has actively engaged local government authorities to secure essential infrastructure for these emerging entrepreneurs. These discussions have already yielded tangible results, with officials beginning the process of facilitating accessible work premises. This collaborative approach ensures that the transition from the classroom to the marketplace is supported by the physical resources required for business success.

The impact of the SEED program further extended to Bahir Dar and Alage, where 331 persons with disabilities underwent an intensive eight-day capacity-building regimen.

The curriculum integrated psychosocial support with business management and Group Business Development Services (BDS).

By addressing both mental readiness and the technical requirements of business ownership, the program provides a holistic foundation for participants to improve their livelihoods and contribute meaningfully to their local economies.