Five years skill training, career counselling open avenues for thousands towards path of success, stability.

PESHAWAR -- A five years project focusing on promotion of peace and improved stability in fragile regions of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa through skill training and introduction of sustainable economic opportunities for income generation and livelihood, opened new avenues for thousands towards path of success and stability.

The project titled as `Market and Employment for Peace and Stability (ME4PS)', was jointly launched by HELVETAS, a Swiss based non-governmental organization, and ACTED (Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development), a French humanitarian organization.

The target area of the project was Charsadda, Mohmand and Bajaur districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, benefiting thousands of people.

The beneficiaries of the project are mostly youth (male, female including persons with disabilities) received skill training and counselling about sustainable opportunities for income generation.

The project implementation revolved around three steps including social inclusion for mainstreaming of Persons with Disabilities, Economic Stability by imparting Vocational and Digital Training skills and Business Expansion by educating about new trends of agriculture and trade.

'ME4PS facilitated 7391 farmers and SMEs (23 percent women and 76 percent men) to expand their existing businesses in on and off farm value chain,' informed Syed Nadeem Bukhari, Senior official of HELVETAS.

The project introduced improved technologies to the farmers such as mulch sheets, anti-frost sheets, vertical farming and low cost walk in tunnel.

The farmers and SMEs experienced significant increase in production, income, knowledge and skills, Nadeem added.

Around 322 SMEs (mostly informal economy) were assisted in development of their business. While 277 women and 45 men were supported on cost sharing basis.

'With the support of ME4PS, the SMEs not only generated more income but also created employment opportunities, he added.

Around 78 percent of trained individuals (320 women and 762 men) entered into gainful employment. Of these trained individuals 63 are PWD, Persons with Disabilities, 13 women and 49 men.

604 beneficiaries (9 women and 595 men including 32 PWD) employed in 597 businesses in 21 different trades. While 478 beneficiaries (women 311 including 13 PWD and 167 men including 17 PWDs) are self-employed, Nadeem continued.

Sharing some success stories of the project, Nadeem gave example of Berhaman, a physically disabled lady from far off village of Bajaur who was...

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