Revolving Credit Fund to Support Livelihoods Recovery in Northwest Syria – Phase II

In response to the increased demand for lending services across various sectors such as trade, services, manufacturing, industrial and agriculture, and in light of the great successes of its first phase, the Syria Recovery Trust Fund (SRTF), in coordination with an Implementing Entity (IE), launched Phase II of its Livelihoods project; “Revolving Credit Fund (RCF) to Support Livelihoods Recovery in Northwest Syria”,

This project aims to advance the growth and sustainability of small and micro-enterprises owned by entrepreneurs through individually tailored loans and non-financial services. It aims to expand beyond Phase I, reaching more beneficiaries in different areas of operation. It also aims to broaden its lending platforms, giving priority to women, youth, persons with disabilities, female-headed households and households without earners, thereby, facilitating these segments’ participation in the economic recovery within their communities.

The project is expected to:

• Expand services to support women entrepreneurs, especially in agribusinesses.
• Support market-based earthquake recovery efforts.
• Expand individualised advisory business services and support.
• Improve the RCF’s financial viability.
• Increase the RCF’s client base.
• Develop a more sustainable financing modality.
• Improve the individuals’ livelihoods and the economic stability within targeted communities.

This will be done by implementing the following activities:             

• Upgrading four Siraj centres.
• Finalising earmarking and selection methodology.
• Finalising six financial products.
• Updating life skills and financial literacy syllabus as well as the business development syllabus.
• Updating the demand-driven coaching and mentoring syllabus.
• Registering applicants.
• Shortlisting applicants.
• Reviewing applications and identifying borrowers based on a set criteria.
• Issuing different types of loans to 1,170 selected entrepreneurs across four Siraj centres in Northwest Syria.
  • Micro-loans: range between USD 400 – USD 1,200 with a repayment period of up to 30 months. These loans support individual entrepreneurs in establishing their new micro-businesses.
  • Development loans: range between USD 1,201 – USD 3,000. These are provided to small businesses that want to expand.
  • Agricultural loans: range between USD 500 – USD 5,000. These are designed to address seasonal cash flow needs, enabling producers to access high-quality inputs and improve equipment and storage.
  • Growth loans: range between USD 3,001 – USD 8,000. These provide market actors with capital to grow their businesses, including those who have benefited previously from other loan products.
  • Emergency loans: the loan amount is determined on a case-by-case basis and based on the need. These will be provided to individuals who require additional capital to support earthquake recovery and recovery from other future shocks, through a re-financing mechanism to help borrowers manage their loans.
• Prioritising engaging women, youth, persons with disabilities, female-headed households, households without earners and those impacted by the earthquake that hit the area earlier this year.
• Providing non-financial products and services to 1,170 borrowers:
  • Sequenced trainings through the Siraj centres, which include the following:
    • Business development training – this will help participants assess the viability of business ideas, develop business plans and improve their practical management skills. For existing businesses, the training will focus on product/service development, investment readiness, business diagnosis, growth plans and new business systems or processes.
    • Life skills and financial literacy trainings – these are designed to help vulnerable households manage irregular finances and unexpected costs, while mitigating risks associated with harmful coping strategies. Participants will also build and/or improve their capacities in conducting market analysis and livelihoods capacity assessments.
    • Marketing and market access training and coaching – these will include topics such as customer retention, access to new or improved markets, standards and certification, pricing, packaging and labeling, sales tips, peer-to-peer networks and meetings with markets actors.
  • Demand-driven coaching and mentoring delivered through in-person activities.

This is anticipated to:

• Increase borrowers’ business revenues.
• Increasing borrowers’ net income.
• Improve unemployment rates, as borrowers/business owners will be able to hire additional employees throughout the year given their increased earnings.
• Improve borrowers’ self-confidence and agency.
• Improve the reduced coping strategies index.
• Improve borrowers’ and employees’ skills and techniques.
• Enhance borrowers’ life skills, financial literacy and business development skills.

With a total budget of around EUR 2.94 million, this project is expected to directly benefit 1,170 farmers and their family members as well as members of their communities indirectly through the revolved funds and improved livelihoods and economic recovery, over a period of 20 months, which includes two months for inception and six months for post-implementation monitoring and evaluation.

For more information on this project, please see:

The SRTF’s Management Committee (MC) Approves Four New Projects and Interventions under the Agriculture, Health and Livelihoods Sectors

For more information on the SRTF visit:

http://www.srtfund.org

Media outlets may contact:

communications@srtfund.org