The ford resource and engagement centre (frec) programme's contribution to mitigating poverty : perspectives from early exit and currently enrolled participants

Abstract

The United Nations has identified poverty as the greatest global challenge, making its eradication a priority at a global, regional, and national levels. While plans have been outlined to combat poverty, collective action from all stakeholders is required for meaning action. The FREC programme, as an incubator for micro-businesses and a trainer of entrepreneurs, can be considered as one of these stakeholders. However, its role in mitigating poverty and contributing to sustainable livelihoods is unknown. The goal of the study was to explore the FREC programme’s contribution to mitigating poverty from the perspectives of early exit and currently enrolled participants. This study was explored within the theoretical framework of the sustainable livelihoods framework. The study employed a qualitative research approach, and the type of research was applied. The research design was a case study, and purposive sampling was used to select five early exit and five currently enrolled participants from the FREC programme. One-on-one semi-structured interviews were conducted for data collection, and the data was analysed thematically. Data quality was ensured by assessing the trustworthiness of the study, and ethical considerations were strictly adhered to throughout the research process. The findings indicate that participants joined the FREC programme primarily to enhance their entrepreneurial knowledge and skills and to access financial support. Participants reported improvements in their social and economic well-being as a result of their engagement in the FREC programme, although these improvements were not substantial. The findings suggest that participants believe the FREC programme has the potential to bring about long-term, sustainable change in their livelihoods. Participants also provided suggestions for how the FREC programme could be improved to increase its impact on poverty mitigation. The study concludes that the FREC programme contributes to mitigating poverty, according to both early exit and currently enrolled participants. The entrepreneurial skills and insights gained through the programme have a positive impact on participants’ social and economic well-being. The study recommends that the FREC programme partners with established businesses to provide funding and mentoring, enhances the role of facilitators, and integrate developmental social work to strengthen social development partnerships, ensuring more prominent and sustainable outcomes.