Economic opportunity
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Photo: Sean Sheridan for Mercy Corps
Markets, whether large or small, keep communities thriving. But conflicts, disasters and a lack of infrastructure can prevent people from conducting the daily transactions on which all growth and progress depend. Around the world, Mercy Corps discovers why commerce is stuck.
In some places, manufacturers need loans to purchase equipment and young people desire job skills. In others, key transportation routes to market must be rebuilt or farmers require better storage to keep their inventory fresh until sold.
Our economic development projects provide financing, equipment, training or technical support. These projects help people find jobs, build their businesses, supply their communities with the goods they need —and improve their lives.
All stories about Economic opportunity
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Haiti: How can we help people in Haiti? (A short presentation for elementary school kids) February 5, 2010
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"Intelligent Investing" with Mercy Corps December 23, 2009
Mercy Corps President Nancy Lindborg was recently interviewed by Steve Forbes about social entrepreneurship, microfinance and other topics.
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Indonesia: A woman's touch December 23, 2009
In the aftermath of the Indian Ocean Tsunami five years ago, the once-bustling village of Klieng Meuriah — like hundreds of villages in Indonesia’s Aceh province — was gone. Its buildings were shattered, its homes reduced to rubble and belongings washed away.
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Lebanon: Foundations for a strong future: Youth in Lebanon and Jordan promote cultural heritage December 2, 2009
Daily life in Lebanon and Jordan means contending with a large number of social and economic pressures and many young people — who make up the vast majority of the population — have lost sight of their cultural heritage.
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Indonesia: Leaving the past behind November 23, 2009
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West Bank and Gaza: We're all the beneficiaries November 21, 2009
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Indonesia: Faster is better November 19, 2009
Every morning at 3:30, Ridwan starts making tempeh. He’s been doing this for almost 18 years.
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Liberia: Mama na come November 19, 2009
Liberians have lots of great expressions, and I've enjoyed learning some of them as we traveled the country. I've shared a few of them here on my blog — how da body, tryin' small, a fish cup of rice.
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Tajikistan: Six days on the road November 18, 2009
I'm both exhausted and exhilarated by my six-day journey through the red clay rocky back-roads of Tajikistan's border area with Kyrgyzstan in the Rasht Valley.
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Liberia: Cocoa, arm wrestling and opportunity November 12, 2009
Annie Garfree has six children, three daughters and three sons. Only her boys are currently in school. But she's eager to make sure all of them get an education.