ANNUAL REPORT 2021
PROJECT FOR FINANCIAL INCLUSION IN RURAL AREAS (PROFIRA)
The government of Uganda and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) jointly designed the Project for Financial Inclusion in Rural Areas (PROFIRA). The overall goal of PROFIRA was to increase income, improve food security and reduce vulnerability in rural areas. Its development objective is to substantially increase access to and use of financial services by the rural poor population. The project is focused on the large portion of the rural population that has little or no access to financial services.
Supported CSCGs and Membership
Under the Project for Financial Inclusion, ENIPS was expected to establish 1,500 CSCGs in West Nile with a target of 37,500 members. WENIPS surpassed this target and achieved a total of 1,525 CSCGs with a total of 44,671.
This represents over achievement of 2% and 19% for number of CSCGs and number of members respectively. In addition, 26250 (70%) were to be women while 5,625 (15%) to be Youth. WENIPS surpassed this target as well by achieving 33,732 women and 14,211 youth representing 28% and 166% overachievement respectively
RPSF I
The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on smallholder farmers in Uganda, including the farmers who were beneficiaries of ongoing support to VSLAs under the PROFIRA project. To alleviate the situation, IFAD approved a USD 2,121063 grant facility to the Government of Uganda (GOU). The grant, called Rural Poor Stimulus Facility (RPSF), aims to mitigate the effects of the pandemic by sustaining and improving the food security and resilience of poor rural people in the rural areas.
Key Outputs
- 12,750 VSLA members trained and mentored in IGA Management.
- 12,750 VSLAS members trained and mentored in management and book keeping of the external cash grant.
- At least 10,200 VSLA members (at least 80% of the VSLA members) operating viable income generating
activities. - 100% of the beneficiary VSLA linked to Stanbic Bank and are receiving Cash Grants in order to grow larger
and long-term loans from the VSLAs’ own funds. - At least 50% of supported VSLAs using digital technologies
Results
Supported VSLAs and Membership
WENIPS selected more groups in order to buffer and provide for any subsequent attrition and fall outs. This was also at the urging of PROFIRA PMU since not all groups were recommended for the 5,000,000 grants ceiling. All groups selected were based on a pre-selection criteria among which included VSLA maturity, membership composition, leadership and compliance to an approved VSLA methodology. Performance is presented below:
All groups were sensitized on the benefits of a lower interest rates. All groups reduced their interest rates from
average of 10% to average of 5%. This also involved amending their By-Laws and Regulations.
Sustainability
The MOU with PROFIRA required WENIPS to develop and implement at least one sustainability strategy. WENIPS accordingly developed two approaches: the Common Fund and Retained Earnings approaches. All VSLAs were trained on these approaches and are implementing them with retained earnings set between 5 and 20%.
IGA management Skills
All supported VSLA members were trained in generic business management skills focusing on Financial Literacy and Business Development Skills using our flagship Selection, Planning and Management of Income Generating Activities Model.
RPSF II
The purpose of the assignment is to provide mentoring and handholding support to RPSF beneficiary VSLAs. Mentoring will capitalize on tailored business planning and management skills to ensure that the VSLA members who receive loans utilize them well to boost their individual or group-based Income Generating Activities (IGAs). Handholding will focus on ensuring VSLAs achieve effective external cash grants management skills without distorting their VSLAs methodology
EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES
WENIPS as a Service Provider shall ensure that the following outputs are achieved.
- 510 VSLAs and their members under RPSF (per district) mentored in IGA Management and Book Keeping of the External Cash Grant.
- At least 80% of the VSLA Members operating viable Income Generating Activities.
- Reports on the utilization of the Cash Grants received by the beneficiary VSLAs under the RPSF (Both Digitized and NonDigitized VSLAs).
- Monthly Progress Reports using the formats provided by PROFIRA PMU.
- End of Contract Report.
Key Results
Staff under the project have been oriented and deployed
Key Activities (Please refer appendix I
The contract is effective from 20th October 2022 and will end on 20th December, 2022
AGA KHAN/EARLY YEARS ECD PROJECT
WENIPS won an innovation challenge organized by Early Years Foundation and Aga Khan called a Hybrid Model project to transform Early Childhood Development in Mother Priscilla ECD in Paminya. Under this project, WENIPS will train parents in soybean and soap making as an income generating activity so that they can recover from the effect of COVID -19. It is expected that parents will be able to support their children in the school by paying their children’s fees and providing their nutritional needs
Key Activities (please refer to appendix I
MWANGAZA PROJECT
With support from Mwangaza Foundation, WENIPS continue to distribute Pico Plus Lanterns to rural communities in West Nile.
Through effective engagement with the Mwangaza team, WENIPS has increased sales of Pico+. These lights are a perfect substitute and replacement of traditional Tadooba.
They are affordable (sold at only 16,000/- as opposed to open market rate of 30,000), portable, five times brighter than kerosene lamps and lasts at least 72 hours. Through this project, our communities can smile as children study in safe and carbon-free environments. We also created a network of Community Liaison Officers and Village Agents who are distributing these products in the community on fixed salaries and commission based reward system. With new arrangements with Mwangaza which has resulted in increased supply of Pico+, more products will be able to reach the communities of West Nile.
PROSPECTIVE PROJECTS
WELTHUNGER-HILFE – WENIPS CONSORTIUM PROJECT
UNDCF
UGEFA
FOOD INCOME AND ECONMIC PROJECT FOR LIVELIHOOD IMPROVEMENT
Other Programme Issues
WENIPS Family loses a member (Late Candia Felix)
2021 IN PHOTOS
WENIPS CEO – Mr. Onegi P. Jenaro during orientation and training of RPSF staff
Programme Staff pose for group photo after training in Financial Literacy and Mindset Change by Uganda Cooperative College – Kigumba
RDC Zombo, Ms. Pays a visit to WENIPS office as part of strategic partnership with government
