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EU-Funded BRACE Programme Successfully Wraps Up in Balochistan, Pakistan

EU-Funded BRACE Programme Successfully Wraps Up in Balochistan, Pakistan

EU-Funded BRACE Programme Successfully Wraps Up in Balochistan, Pakistan
EU-Funded BRACE Programme Successfully Wraps Up in Balochistan, Pakistan

The six-year European Union-funded Balochistan Rural Development and Community Empowerment (BRACE) Programme has successfully concluded with a final dissemination workshop held at the office of the Balochistan Rural Support Programme.

BRACE, with an EU investment of €45 million, has been a significant initiative for community empowerment in Balochistan, directly benefiting 300,000 families across 10 districts: Jhal Magsi, Kech, Khuzdar, Killa Abdullah, Chaman, Loralai, Pishin, Washuk, Duki, and Zhob.

Implemented by the Balochistan Rural Support Programme (BRSP), National Rural Support Programme (NRSP), and Rural Support Programmes Network (RSPN), the project covered one-third of Balochistan and employed a mix of approaches for social mobilization, capacity building, and civic oversight. It focused on empowering vulnerable communities, with a strong emphasis on women’s empowerment.

Key achievements include:

  • Income Generating Grants: Disbursing PKR 668 million to 13,968 extremely poor participants, with 72% of them being women.
  • Mobilizing 300,000 households, half of which were economically disadvantaged.
  • Establishing a cohesive network of approximately 26,375 Community Organizations, 5739 Village Organizations, and 237 Local Support Organizations.
  • Implementing the program in collaboration with the Local Government and Rural Development Department, Government of Balochistan.
  • The final workshop was attended by esteemed guests, including government officials and civil society representatives. The program’s impact on improving socio-economic conditions, particularly for women, was highlighted.

Dr. Tahir Rasheed, CEO of BRSP, emphasized the positive influence of the BRACE program and noted that women played a significant role as decision-makers in their households.Mr. Arshad Rashid, Chief of Programmes at PPAF, praised the efforts of all the Rural Support Programs in successfully completing the BRACE Program. He stressed the importance of continued support from the Balochistan government to strengthen local governance systems.

A community leader from Pishin district shared his achievements, including advocacy for girls’ education. Ms. Nabeel Baloch, NRSP’s General Manager for Makran Division, highlighted that financial services, including Income Generating Grants and interest-free loans, were directed to women.The workshop concluded with the distribution of shields among BRACE program leaders and a vote of thanks by Malik Anwar Saleem Kasi, Chairman of BRSP.

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