The Nigeria Community Action for Resilience and Economic Stimulus (NG-CARES), in collaboration with the Federal Government, the World Bank, and the Edo State Government, has empowered 922 youths and women through livelihood support. The beneficiaries, who are part of the first batch under the Livelihood Support Disbursement Linked Indicator (DLI 1.3) of the EDO CARES Project’s fourth phase, received this support to improve their economic standing and break the cycle of poverty.
Adesuwa Agbonavbare, the Training and Communication Officer of the Edo State Cash Transfer Unit, made this announcement in a statement released in Benin City. She explained that the grant program specifically targets youths and women from poor and vulnerable households across 11 Local Government Areas of the state. The beneficiaries were selected from the State Social Register and underwent verification, enrollment, and training in livelihood and soft skills before receiving the grants.
The grants, which ranged between N100,000 and N200,000, were determined based on the micro business plans and trade areas of the recipients. These funds were directly transferred into the bank accounts of the beneficiaries, enabling them to purchase necessary equipment to enhance their trades and sustain their livelihoods.
Agbonavbare expressed gratitude to Governor Godwin Obaseki for facilitating the resources needed for this initiative. She highlighted that the financial empowerment provided through the NG-CARES program is expected to alleviate the economic challenges faced by the beneficiaries, helping them improve their living conditions.
The EDO CARES Livelihood Support Program is one of the disbursement-linked indicators under the broader NG-CARES Project in Edo State, which is a World Bank performance-based initiative aimed at fostering economic resilience among vulnerable communities. Further grants are anticipated for additional beneficiaries once they complete their bank account formalities.
