ENHANCE II Project: Kick-off Meeting Report

Project Overview

The ENHANCE II Project is implemented by the Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD) with the finance and technical collaboration of ILO-PROSPECTS. This initiative focuses on improving the socio-economic conditions and livelihoods of skilled persons with disabilities, including refugees, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and vulnerable host community members. Operating in the Kebrebeyah and Qoloji areas of the Somali region in Ethiopia, the project addresses systemic barriers to employment by providing tailored vocational training, delivering comprehensive business development services (BDS), and partnering with financial institutions to secure startup capital and working premises. Ultimately, the project aims to facilitate a smooth transition into self-employment for 178 individuals, fostering long-term economic independence, social inclusion, and systemic community resilience. ENHANCE II has Twelve months project life (January 1^st to December 31^st 2026).

Kick-off Meeting Summary

To launch the initiative, a kick-off meeting was held in Jigjiga on May 16, 2026. The primary objective of the meeting was to familiarize stakeholders with the project’s core activities and to build a collaborative framework for successful implementation.

The meeting was attended by representatives from ILO-PROSPECTS, various government stakeholders, Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs), and cooperating partner organizations. Key institutions in attendance included:

• Refugees and Returnees Service (RRS)
• United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
• Jigjiga Polytechnic College and Jigjiga University
• Regional Bureaus, including the Bureau of Women and Children Affairs, the Bureau of Labour and Skills, and the Bureau of Job Creation and Employment
• Four distinct OPDs representing individuals with hearing, physical, visual, and intellectual disabilities

The ECDD implementation team was represented by the Program Director and two Jigjiga-based project officers.

Key Discussion Points & Outcomes

The meeting featured highly engaging and productive discussions centered on strategic implementation:

• Accelerated Implementation: Participants emphasized the importance of executing project activities efficiently to ensure measurable results are achieved well before the project’s official closing date.
• Allocation of Working Premises: A major point of discussion involved securing physical workspaces (sheds) for beneficiaries once they complete their preparatory training and launch their businesses.

Government Commitment: In a significant breakthrough, the Bureau of Labour and Skills committed to providing the necessary working premises for the participating adults with disabilities.

Participant Demographics

A total of 30 participants attended the meeting, including 21 men and 9 women. The disaggregated data regarding gender and disability status is detailed below: