INDIA - Project Unnati
In 2019, The Road to Parity entered a partnership with Indian NGO, Learning Links Foundation (LLF), to fight extreme poverty through micro-entrepreneurship.
Under the partnership, people in extreme poverty are given the opportunity to set up a business. Many of the beneficiaries are illiterate and have no prior business experience.
Strict criteria was agreed on who should be eligible for funding. An outreach team went into slum areas of Delhi to engage with the community and determine who may be suitable.
Using a micro-grant model, fledgling entrepreneurs are supported to buy the equipment and supplies needed to start trading. They are also given some basic training in marketing and managing money. The businesses are simple and usually street-based, selling daily, household items. Often, the tiny ventures quickly become profitable, significantly increasing household income.
The first batch of funding was released at the end of 2019. In all, 90 enterprises have emerged in the poorest of areas. The partnership with LLF concluded in 2023, creating a lasting legacy of empowerment, financial independence and socio-economic inclusion.
Under the partnership, people in extreme poverty are given the opportunity to set up a business. Many of the beneficiaries are illiterate and have no prior business experience.
Strict criteria was agreed on who should be eligible for funding. An outreach team went into slum areas of Delhi to engage with the community and determine who may be suitable.
Using a micro-grant model, fledgling entrepreneurs are supported to buy the equipment and supplies needed to start trading. They are also given some basic training in marketing and managing money. The businesses are simple and usually street-based, selling daily, household items. Often, the tiny ventures quickly become profitable, significantly increasing household income.
The first batch of funding was released at the end of 2019. In all, 90 enterprises have emerged in the poorest of areas. The partnership with LLF concluded in 2023, creating a lasting legacy of empowerment, financial independence and socio-economic inclusion.
Pictured from front right to left, The Road to Parity Founder, Jonathan Hill with Sudeep Dube and Rashmi Mishra from Learning Links Foundation, meeting potential entrepreneurs in India
Meet Phoola
Phoola at her street stall in Delhi
Phoola was among our first beneficiaries and the funding provided enabled her to set up a little street business in Delhi, selling boiled eggs.
The 28-year old can't read or write, and when we came across her, she was in a desperate situation, working as a domestic helper - and the main breadwinner for a family of six.
Despite this, she bravely came to a community centre in a Delhi slum and pitched her business idea. She was holding a baby that began urinating on the floor as she tried to explain her dream venture.
Phoola calmly used the baby's ragged underwear to mop up the puddle created, nipped away to get cleaned up, and resumed the meeting as if nothing had happened. She displayed unbelievable resolve.
We asked Phoola to describe in one word what being one of the first beneficiaries meant to her. She said "Unnati," which translates to progress, as she believes her new enterprise will bring prosperity.
Our entrepreneurship programme in India was then called Project Unnati. Phoola's egg stall was just one of dozens of small businesses which rose out of the slums of Delhi.
The 28-year old can't read or write, and when we came across her, she was in a desperate situation, working as a domestic helper - and the main breadwinner for a family of six.
Despite this, she bravely came to a community centre in a Delhi slum and pitched her business idea. She was holding a baby that began urinating on the floor as she tried to explain her dream venture.
Phoola calmly used the baby's ragged underwear to mop up the puddle created, nipped away to get cleaned up, and resumed the meeting as if nothing had happened. She displayed unbelievable resolve.
We asked Phoola to describe in one word what being one of the first beneficiaries meant to her. She said "Unnati," which translates to progress, as she believes her new enterprise will bring prosperity.
Our entrepreneurship programme in India was then called Project Unnati. Phoola's egg stall was just one of dozens of small businesses which rose out of the slums of Delhi.
UGANDA - Project Twekembe
In 2024, The Road to Parity started a new entrepreneur programme in Uganda, its second country of operation after India.
As in India, a micro grant is provided to people in extreme poverty so they can get the supplies and equipment needed to start a tiny enterprise.
TRTP partnered with Canaan Children’s Development Initiative (CACDI), a non-profit organisation in Uganda's Luweero District, north of the capital, Kampala.
CACDI comes to the rescue of highly vulnerable children, such as orphans, disabled youngsters and those infected with HIV/AIDS to provide welfare and educational support.
It also supports widows and victims of domestic violence. By coming together, the two organisations are helping mainly widows and domestic violence victims to start their own businesses.
The first beneficiaries were asked to suggest a name for the programme that would resonate locally. Several mentioned the word Twekembe, which broadly translates to 'let's fight against poverty'. So, the initiative was called Project Twekembe.
Agnes was among our first beneficiaries in Uganda. She's a mother of four young children who all depend on her after her husband was left disabled following an accident. Only two of her kids were able to go to school.
As in India, a micro grant is provided to people in extreme poverty so they can get the supplies and equipment needed to start a tiny enterprise.
TRTP partnered with Canaan Children’s Development Initiative (CACDI), a non-profit organisation in Uganda's Luweero District, north of the capital, Kampala.
CACDI comes to the rescue of highly vulnerable children, such as orphans, disabled youngsters and those infected with HIV/AIDS to provide welfare and educational support.
It also supports widows and victims of domestic violence. By coming together, the two organisations are helping mainly widows and domestic violence victims to start their own businesses.
The first beneficiaries were asked to suggest a name for the programme that would resonate locally. Several mentioned the word Twekembe, which broadly translates to 'let's fight against poverty'. So, the initiative was called Project Twekembe.
Agnes was among our first beneficiaries in Uganda. She's a mother of four young children who all depend on her after her husband was left disabled following an accident. Only two of her kids were able to go to school.
Agnes, pictured with outreach worker, Henry, at our partner organisation, Canaan Children’s Development Initiative
She’d try to sell a few second-hand shoes to get some money in, but couldn’t afford much stock so was making about £1 a day (USD 1.35).
With our support, she’s been able to significantly expand her store with second-hand and new shoes – and her income has increased six-fold!
It might not seem much, but the extra money has made a big difference to Agnes’s family – and it’s helped all four children now attend school.
Uganda faces major challenges getting young people educated. Less than 1 in 10 children in the poorest 20% of the population enrol for secondary education, says the UN.
Getting extreme poverty on the map - programmes launched in India and Uganda
Helping one, benefitting many
While we provide a micro-grant to one person at a time to set up a business, the opportunity changes the fortunes of entire households, which has been as many as 11 people per house. Here are some of the families who are benefitting from a Project Unnati enterprise.
