Project description

Title: Technical Cooperation in the framework of the Rural Poverty Reduction Programme
Client: National Planning Commission, Namibia
Financier: EU / 9th European Development Fund (EDF)
Country: Namibia
Overall term: July 2005 to January 2010

Context

Extreme poverty is widespread in Namibia. Most households in rural areas frequently spend more than 60 percent of their total income just on food. Any reduction of income – for instance, through regular harvest failure, plant and animal diseases or environmental damage (not to mention losses of labour through death) – thus hits such households hard. In this situation, HIV/AIDS is viewed as one of the major factors contributing to the rapid spread of poverty. The Rural Poverty Reduction Programme (RPRP), which GTZ IS is implementing on behalf of the Namibian Government, is focusing on these factors in order to reduce poverty.

Objective

The RPRP is designed to contribute to sustainable development in Namibia and to strengthen sustainable rural ways of life in the process. It will support the Namibian Government in implementing its national Poverty Reduction Strategy and strengthen the capacities of the institutions and organisations involved. Income-generating activities on the central, regional and local levels are also planned.

Approach

The RPRP includes the following specific components:

• institutional support
• qualification of local human resources, for example through courses and seminars
• financial support for the construction of rural access connections and water supply, advisory services for clients
• implementation of decentralised activities to boost the local economy, such as the strengthening of small and medium-sized enterprises and regional tourism.