Successful implementation of PRIDE Project

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Promoting Rights and Inclusion for Disability Empowerment (PRIDE) Activity was a transformative initiative that advanced the economic empowerment of youth with disabilities (YwDs) across Ethiopia. Implemented by the Ethiopian Center for Disability and Development (ECDD), PRIDE operated from December 2021 across five regional states; Amhara, Oromia, Afar, Somali, and Central and Southern Ethiopia as well as in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa City Administrations. The project centered on two major components: vocational skills and employment, and advocacy for the rights of persons with disabilities by engaging key partners: government bodies, private sector actors, and Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs).

Through strategic collaboration and targeted interventions, PRIDE sought to create an inclusive environment that empowers youth with disabilities to participate fully in the socio-economic fabric of Ethiopia.

Major Achievements

Vocational Skills Training

In partnership with TVET colleges and Community-Based Training Centers (CBTs), PRIDE provided comprehensive vocational training to 900 youth with disabilities (463 male, 437 female) across diverse fields. Participants gained hands-on skills in areas such as garment making, basic computer and printing classes, handcrafts, mobile maintenance, hairdressing (male and female), poultry farming, animal fattening, woodworking, metalwork, food preparation and weaving. Each trainee completed a three-month training program and successfully passed the Certificate of Competency (CoC) exam, equipping them with the credentials to pursue employment or launch their own businesses.

Start-Up Business Support

After graduation, 780 youth organized into Income Generation Activities (IGAs). With over 20 million birr in USAID funding, 700 YwDs (339 females and 361 males) were organized into 96 IGA groups received working spaces from the government and startup kits from the project covering machinery and raw materials. Fields included garment making, poultry farming, hairdressing, animal fattening, food processing, and coffee production etc. Additionally, participants saved 10% of the support in dedicated saving accounts, reinforcing financial responsibility and sustainability.

Internships and Employment

To support wage employment, PRIDE placed 290 graduate YwDs (117 females and 173 males) graduates from universities and TVET collegesin three-month internships at public and private institutions. From these, 35 youth (22 male, 13 female) secured permanent employment in professions aligned with their educational background.

Stakeholder Engagement & Policy Advocacy

PRIDE fostered strong collaboration among stakeholders through awareness-raising events and training. Local steering committees were formed to guide implementation and ensure buy-in from all actors, including government officials and community-based organizations.

A Lasting Impact and a Model for the Future

While the PRIDE Activity has officially concluded, its impact continues to resonate. A recent field visit by the FDRE Authority for Civil Society Organizations (ACSO), which is responsible to register and supervise non government organizations to ensure that they undertake their activities in compliance with the law, to two PRIDE target areas highlighted the ongoing success of the IGAs and the meaningful engagement of stakeholders. The delegation admired PRIDE’s achievements in improving livelihoods and shifting perceptions around disability inclusion in the target areas.

The success of the PRIDE initiative highlights the transformative power of international partnerships—such as that between USAID and ECDD—in advancing inclusive and impactful development. International support, both financial and technical, plays a vital role in empowering local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to deliver sustainable, life-changing programs.

Yet, lasting impact hinges on locally-driven solutions. Local CSOs must remain proactive, tailoring interventions to reflect the unique needs and contexts of their communities, and ensuring that development efforts are participatory and grounded in local realities. PRIDE stands as a compelling example of what can be achieved when global collaboration aligns with strong local leadership to build a more inclusive and equitable future for all.