Enhancing sustainable livelihoods and self-reliance

Islamic Relief South Africa supports, educates and advocates for the protection of vulnerable and marginalised people in South Africa, including orphans, vulnerable children, refugees and asylum seekers, and works closely with community and religious leaders, social services, and other organisations to ensure holistic support and provision.

We also work to improve the opportunities and sustainability of livelihoods among vulnerable and marginalised adult groups, by providing microfinancing, mentorship, entrepreneurship, skills development, vocational training and other educational programming that empowers individuals to establish and grow their businesses, and achieve lasting economic independence.

Entrepreneurship and agricultural training

IRSA’s Integrated Development Programme (IDP) aims to upskill and empower women and youth who are disproportionately impacted by the lack of meaningful work opportunities in South Africa, to start and sustain their own businesses – with special focus on women’s participation in the agricultural sector.

The programme aims to empower a total of 200 women and 400 youth across KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape with professional skills, entrepreneurship and small business development support and mentorship, and agricultural training, to help them create sustainable livelihoods and contribute to the development and growth of their communities.

Because IRSA is committed to breaking the cycle of poverty for as many families as possible, many of the women participating in the IDP are guardians to orphans and vulnerable children from our Orphans Sponsorship Programme. We believe that by empowering women and youth with the necessary skills, and by supporting them to access clear pathways out of poverty and towards self-reliance, families and communities will thrive and sustainable transformation will be realised.