A significant feature of the project is its departure from the traditional mode of providing direct support to individuals, and instead promoting productivity increase, value-addition, market linkages, and access to financial and business development services of producer organizations and small businesses. This will include building skills and knowledge of producer organizations on improved technology, advanced processing and business planning and management.
Enhancing livelihoods opportunities of marginalized groups including women, youth, ex-combatants, the disabled, and other traditionally vulnerable groups is another significant component of the project.
Total funding for the project, titled Northern Livelihood Development Project, is 6 million Norwegian Kroner (approximately USD 1 million). The project will be implemented over a period of 12 months, commencing in July 2012, in close cooperation with International Financial Institutions, INGOs and NGOs.
Meanwhile Norway and UNDP is also cooperating through the ‘Capacity Development for Recovery in the North’ (CADRIN) project aiming to enhance the planning and coordination capabilities of the District and Divisional Offices.