Improving the population’s living conditions in western Chad

Context

Chad is one of the poorest countries in the world and is also hosting many refugees from Sudan. In addition, the country is heavily affected by the impacts of climate change, and its agricultural sector is struggling to adapt. As a result, many residents are at risk of hunger and live in poverty; the drivers of displacement are on the rise. The growing competition for natural resources, such as fertile soil, is undermining social cohesion and exacerbating conflicts.

Many women are exposed to violence and various forms of disadvantage. The country does little to involve women and young people, in particular, in economic development plans. These groups, specifically, also lack vocational education and training options and work and income opportunities.

Objective

Local people in western Chad are able to improve their livelihoods in the long term.

Approach

The project empowers the people of western Chad to increase their income and work opportunities; it does so by adapting farming techniques and practices to climate change. It also offers vocational education and training to enable women and young people, specifically, to broaden their sources of income. This is intended to reduce hunger and poverty and create economic prospects.

The non-profit organisation Bet Al Nadjah is providing 1.3 million euros in funding for the project. It is making financial resources available to people who have completed vocational education and training and people in the agri-food sector for business start-ups and investment.

The state food authority also receives 300,000 euros through the project. This enables it to certify products, introduce quality management systems and support micro and small enterprises and smallholders in exporting their products outside of Chad.

Last update: February 2025