A young woman receives a boxed sewing machine at the handover

Completed · July 2025 to June 2026

BRIDGE I

Building Resilience in Youth and Families through Inclusive Livelihoods and Empowerment

When: July 2025 to June 2026
Where: 5 communities, West Mamprusi Municipality, North East Region
Funded by: Vibrant Village Foundation
Budget: USD 10,000

The problem

Young people in West Mamprusi finish an apprenticeship but cannot afford the tools to start earning.

At home, women carry most of the unpaid care work and have little say in household and community decisions. Youth unemployment and limited access to financial services keep families poor.

What we did

Building on the YES Project, BRIDGE combined three kinds of support in the same five communities:

Start-up equipment for young people trained in tailoring, hairdressing, weaving, carpentry, tile making and soap making.
Village Savings and Loans Associations strengthened with mentoring and regular technical support.
Gender Model Families: 28 households trained to share work and decide together, with monthly meetings and community sessions on shared responsibilities.

Results

young people set up in business with start-up equipment13 young people set up in business with start-up equipment

households trained as Gender Model Families28 households trained as Gender Model Families

active savings group members, out of 12092 active savings group members, out of 120

saved by members, who took GHS 46,250 in loansGHS 67,180 saved by members, who took GHS 46,250 in loans

What changed

For young people

More income, more business, more confidence and a better ability to meet household needs.

For savers

Affordable credit to invest in businesses, farming, school fees and health care.

For families

Better communication, shared housework, joint decisions and stronger relationships.

Photos from BRIDGE I

Community members hold a Gender Model Family action plan — A Gender Model Family action plan, March 2026.

A hair dryer handed over at the start-up kit ceremony — A hair dryer for a young hairdresser, December 2025.

Women and men at a Gender Model Family session — A Gender Model Family session.

A weaving set handed over to a young weaver — Weaving set handover, December 2025.

Start-up equipment laid out for a handover ceremony — Equipment ready for the BRIDGE I handover, December 2025.

A Gender Model Family facilitator works with a couple — Gender Model Family session, March 2026.

Members of the Kukua savings group count their savings at the share-out — The Kukua savings group at its share-out, February 2026.

BRIDGE II is running now

Helping 150 young people, 28 Gender Model Families and 5 savings groups earn more, save more and make decisions together, building on what YES and BRIDGE I achieved.

Support BRIDGE II About BRIDGE II

More projects

All projects

Women and men seated in a large circle at a community session in West Mamprusi

Running now · July 2026 to June 2027

BRIDGE II

Helping 150 young people, 28 Gender Model Families and 5 savings groups earn more, save more and make decisions together, building on what YES and BRIDGE I achieved.

August 2024 to June 2025

YES Phase II

57 young people trained in business and money management, 29 given start-up equipment, and five new savings groups.

Hair dryers and sewing machines ready for a start-up kit handover

August 2023 to June 2024

YES Phase I

150 young people trained in leadership, group dynamics and advocacy in five communities; start-up equipment for 29 young women.