GOV.BW

Government poverty eradication initiatives are included in nation’s long term strategy, Vision 2036 and other National Development Plans, which outlines poverty eradication as one of the key policy deliverables.

In 2011 government revamped its effort and commitment to addressing poverty and came up with Poverty Eradication Programme (PEP) to economically empower and capacitate current and prospective beneficiaries to lead a dignified life. PEP is meant to assist individuals and or group to graduate from extreme poverty or abject poverty through;

• sustainable income generation and employment initiatives
• capacity building and skills development
• organized individuals or groups and provide funds in order to promote micro and small scale entrepreneurship

This is coordinated from the Office of the President through Poverty Eradication Coordination Unit (PECU). PECU was established to accelerate programme uptake particularly those in abject poverty whose dignity has to be restored as a matter of urgency, and at the same time coordinating efforts of other stakeholders.

Youth Development Fund (YDF) is a socio-economic programme for start-ups and expanding businesses. YDF was introduced in the financial year 2009/10 as an economic empowerment programme meant to assist aspiring youth to venture into various economic enterprises funded at 50% loan & 50% grant. MYSC works in collaboration with other stakeholders such as Local Enterprise Authority to build the spirit of entrepreneurship and other government ministries and parastatals who offer technical support. YDF aims to achieve the following:

• Promote active participation of youth in the socio-economic development of the country
• Encourage the out of school, marginalized, unemployed and underemployed youth to venture into sustainable and viable income generating projects
• Promote the development of competitive, sustainable and growth-oriented citizen owned youth enterprises
• Reduce rural-urban migration by making it attractive to start growth-oriented enterprises in rural areas.
• Create sustainable employment opportunities for young people through the development of sustainable projects.

The arts and culture grant offers financial assistance towards the development of the Arts and Culture sector. The aim of the grant is to empower artists, cultural practitioners and organisations to contribute towards economic diversification through the establishment of the creative industries. The limit for small grants is P50 000 while for large grants is P250 000.

Key areas include;

• Capacity building workshops, seminars and training.
• Entertainment covers shows, performances, music, comedy, poetry, theatre, drama and edutainment.
• Literary works cover activities around content creation, presentation and promotion of literary works, book production, translation/adaptations, discussions based on written works, writers/readers competitions
• Hosting and curating exhibitions
• Hosting fashion shows
• Public arts which includes production of sculptures and murals in public places

The Women’s Economic Empowerment Programme is an initiative to help groups of women obtain seed money to start their own income generating projects. This grant also accommodate groups that include both women and men.