Project/Consultancy Title: DREAMS Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis

Background

To address the challenges facing refugees and vulnerable host communities Mercy Corps, along with Village Enterprise and IDInsight are launching a new innovative program that combines two proven approaches - poverty graduation and market system development - layering these approaches in a new way that will ensure that the poorest households are able to improve their income and well-being significantly and sustainably. The program - Delivering Resilient Enterprises and Market Systems for Refugees and Host Communities - or DREAMS will be launched in Dollo Ado and Bokolmayo woredas, Ethiopia and will target the most vulnerable refugees and host communities through prioritizing women and other vulnerable community members to build security and dignity that comes from providing for one’s family.  The Graduation model will provide the capital and skills to support refugees and vulnerable host communities as they establish their businesses, and the Market Systems Development approach will help build market access pathways to ensure those businesses can be successful and sustainable.