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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Afghanistan: Forsaking the Flower for a More Hopeful Future February 10, 2006
As Afghanistan struggles to lift itself from decades of conflict and oppression, a flower threatens to keep its society down.
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United States: Reclaiming the U.S. Gulf Coast January 29, 2006
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Tajikistan: Tajikistan's New Entrepreneurs January 13, 2006
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West Bank and Gaza: When Life Gives You Olives January 6, 2006
Khuloud Qassem used to think that making soap from olive oil required complex chemical compounds and snazzy technology.
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India: Life in the Himalayan Foothills December 30, 2005
Darjeeling's soaring natural splendor often hides the depths of poverty.
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United States: Reclaiming Neighborhoods December 9, 2005
Bienville Ancar didn't just lose his house and business to Hurricane Katrina. Like so many of his neighbors, he lost history, a sense of place and the feeling of home.
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Indonesia: New Hope for Tibang December 2, 2005
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Indonesia: How Cakes and Crackers Saved a Village November 22, 2005
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Lebanon: The Old Man and the Mill November 22, 2005
Chebba, South Lebanon - His real name is Ali Ismail. But people here still know him as Ali Tahan, which means Ali the Miller.
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Sudan: The Skills to Thrive November 11, 2005
Hassa Hissa Camp, Darfur — It is graduation day at the Women's Training Center in Hassa Hissa displacement camp, and these women are ready to celebrate.