The specific objectives are:

• Promoting employment opportunities and increased income for the poor and poorest;
• Making markets accessible for the poor and poorest;
• Improving local economic framework conditions to the benefit of the poor and poorest.

The focus will be a) on skills development in particular for young people and b) on local economic development since this is the key for the poor and poorest to improve their livelihoods.

SDC will enhance access to and control over resources through improved framework conditions & pro-poor Policies

• Influence favorable local and national framework conditions for employment and for MSEs, fostering pro-poor policy changes;
• Support empowerment of women in business-related matters;
• Support linkages between local government and private sector contributing to local economic development.