Economic Development
At Dorcas, we support people who are facing barriers to self-employment and employability. We do this by equipping them with essential job skills, guiding them through the process of setting up a small business, and connecting them to markets. This increases their income and reduces poverty.
We enhance economic opportunities by boosting productivity, improving market access, and promoting inclusive growth. This enables communities to diversify and sustain their livelihoods, improving overall well-being.
Our programmes focus on employability and skills development, micro-business support and value chain development. By providing the necessary tools, we empower people and communities to flourish and build a secure future.
Building sustainable livelihoods in conflict-affected communities in Ukraine
From September 2024 to April 2025, Dorcas Ukraine led the 'Restoring Hope' project, which improved employment opportunities for those affected by the conflict in the Zaporizhzhia and Zakarpattia regions.
Particular attention was given to supporting women raising children alone, mothers with multiple children, internally displaced persons living in collective centres, and families caring for older relatives or people with disabilities.
Each project participant acquired professional skills and received a toolkit to facilitate their work.
Empowering women through the Farmer Field School in Egypt
Fatma is an inspiring example of a woman from Egypt who has become a self-sufficient and flourishing entrepreneur. Through the Dorcas Farmer Field School, she acquired the skills to produce laundry detergent and turned this knowledge into a successful business. Today, she earns an income, supports her family and saves for the future.
Watch the video below to find out more.
Stories and articles
How beekeeping strengthens food security in Kenya’s drylands
Across Kenya, communities are experiencing the growing impacts of climate change. Rainfall has become increasingly erratic, harvests are less reliable, and many rural families struggle to secure enough food throughout the year. In the semi-arid […]
The Dorcas Food Campaign: Fighting hunger and poverty
Food is a fundamental human right, yet hunger remains a global issue. According to the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)1, around 673 million people around the world living with hunger due to adverse conditions such […]
Local power creates lasting change: Dorcas strategic plan 2026-2030
Reading time: three minutes. Dorcas is proud to announce the publication of its strategic plan 2026-2030: Local power creates lasting change. This roadmap sets out Dorcas’s vision for the coming years, focusing on empowering local […]
Climate-smart farming in Kenya: Boniface’s story of transformation
Dorcas Kenya and our partner, Kitise Rural Development (KRD), have recently concluded the Makueni Pasture and Milk Value Chains Project. Through this initiative, we worked to enhance livelihoods in Makueni County by promoting climate-smart agriculture, […]
Supporting families in crisis in Ukraine
Reading time: 2 minutes In Ukraine, many families are forced to flee the ongoing conflict, seeking safety in western regions such as Transcarpathia. This displacement has a severe impact on their livelihoods and overall well-being. […]
Building sustainable livelihoods in conflict-affected communities in Ukraine
From September 2024 to April 2025, Dorcas Ukraine led the ‘Restoring Hope’ project, which aimed to improve employment opportunities for those affected by the conflict in the Zaporizhzhia and Zakarpattia regions. Following completion, we assessed […]
Dorcas launches groundbreaking PIP project in Upper Egypt
In early 2025, Dorcas in close partnership with our long-time partner Life Vision launched a new three-year PIP project in Upper Egypt. This innovative approach – relatively new to the Middle East – directly addresses […]
Ahmed’s journey: from vocational training to entrepreneurship
Ahmed, a 20-year-old young man from Abosto Kebele in Shashamene Town, Ethiopia, faced significant challenges early in life. He dropped out of school due to financial difficulties and moved to Addis Ababa in search of […]
Resilience amid conflict and displacement in Ukraine
Today marks three years since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine began. Over this time, many have endured immense suffering and loss. Yet despite these challenges, Dorcas Ukraine has seen the extraordinary resilience of our project […]
Communities and families flourishing through a women’s savings group in Kenya
In Kajiado South, Kenya, the Ilaramatak Esukuta Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), a women’s savings group comprising 38 women, is a symbol of hope and resilience. This group is one of 30 VSLAs supported […]
500 Transcarpathians and IDPs are learning new professions
This year, with the support of World Vision International, the Dorcas Ukraine team is actively implementing a project to train IDPs and affected people in Transcarpathia in entrepreneurial skills. This is a unique opportunity for […]
From Seeds to Success: Edmira’s Inspiring Journey
Edmira (51) lives with her husband and three children in the village of Valbona, Tropoja, Albania. A few years ago, she participated in a project by Dorcas Albania, receiving support in the form of potato […]
Social Mobilisation and Local Enterpreneurship Support – SMILES programme
The SMILES programme provides an integrated approach to improve the well-being of people in vulnerable circumstances in Tropoja and Puke, Albania. The programme is based on two Dorcas concepts, namely Social Empowerment and Protection (SEP) […]