Trade Empowerment

The aim of the 'Trade Empowerment' component is to support people at the grassroot level to utilise trade and trade policies as means to earn a decent living and to establish sustainable livelihoods. Poor and marginalised communities are in focus.

MS Uganda efforts are concentrated on market linkedage and connecting producer groups, particularly women and youth, with national, regional and international supply chains. The socially beneficial niche sectors such as fair trade and organic agriculture have our attention. MS Uganda engage in policy advocacy and contribute to the strengthening of the capacity of Ugandan producer groups at grassroot level and civil society organisations. The aim is to empower them to engage in pro-poor, people-centred trade policy advocacy and monitoring. We also offer assistance to raise awareness and to mobilise and support civil society groups. We support in particular campaings aimed at senstitising citizens and consumers on consumer rights, local, organic and fair trade production and consumption, and unfair trade-related polices and practices. 20% of all MS Uganda resources in 2008 - 2011 are allocated to trade empowerment.

Development objective
A favourable, people-centred trade policy environment which promotes increased economic engagement of the poor and marginalised in Uganda and East Africa resulting in sustainable livelihoods

Immediate objective to pursured in four districts by the end of 2011:
* Consumers, partcularly women and youth, empowered to demand for their rights, get value for money and make ethical choices
* Trade polices that better reflect the needs and choices of the people of Uganda and Eastern Africa, especially the poor and marginalised male and female to be promoted.
* Increased profitablility of maize, sesame and handicraft production for smallholder producers, especially women and youth, through linkages to viable and equitable markets.

Four districts:
Kampala, Masindi, Arua and Lira. The possibility of up scaling to other districts, however, exists during the course of the implemention.