On the security situation in Ukraine: We chose to publish this during the Russian invasion of Ukraine because we want to highlight and honor the work and perspective our colleagues gained from this project. We stand with our colleagues and clients in Ukraine.
Waterloo, ON – Today, MEDA launched its UHBDP project learning series. This learning series contains valuable insights from the UHBDP project, which ran for seven years, and concluded in March 2021. This project aimed to increase the incomes of 44,000 smallholder horticultural small and medium businesses.
Since 2014, MEDA has partnered with MASHAV, MEGA Bank, Zemlya Tavrii, LASKA Fund, ORACS (Odesa Regional Agricultural Consultancy Services), UWFC (Ukrainian Women Farmer’s Council), Agro-Tavria, and five local technical universities to implement this project. This project was funded by Global Affairs Canada.
Through UHBDP, MEDA provided:
- Increased production, harvest, and post-harvest capabilities. It did this by hosting educational events on environmental best practices and gender equality.
- A purchase incentive fund. MEDA partnered with twenty-three companies to implement an e-voucher program for environmental certification and sustainable materials, products, and services.
- Environmentally sustainable production practices for producers. These producers were trained on environmentally sustainable practices through online and face-to-face events.
- Business capabilities and market linkages to partner with lead firms and farmer cooperatives. As a result, it increased their sales during harvest seasons and built the organizational capacities of small farmers and entrepreneurs.
The UHBDP Learning Series is the seventh learning series that MEDA has released. It follows the launch of MEDA’s six other learning series: The Agricultural Transformation Through Stronger Vocational Education (ATTSVE), Improving Market Opportunities for Women (IMOW), The Strengthening Small Business Value Chains (SSBVC), The Greater Rural Opportunities for Women in Ghana (GROW), Nigeria Youth Entrepreneurship and Women’s Empowerment (WAY), and the Jordan Valley Links (JVL) Learning Series.
Kamran Abdullayev, Associate Director, Global Programs Operations in Global Program Operations, reaffirms the project’s value for Ukrainian farmers and their businesses.
“For eight years, we were pleased to watch our clients boost their farm and business’ production capabilities. This translated into more efficient production processes, higher incomes, and a better quality of life for our clients. We’re confident that the lessons that we’ve gained from the UHBDP will provide practitioners with valuable insights that they can use in future projects.”
— Kamran Abdullayev, Associate Director, Global Program Operations, MEDA
Project quick facts
- Funder: Global Affairs Canada
- Partners: with MASHAV, MEGA Bank, Zemlya Tavrii, LASKA Fund, ORACS (Odesa Regional Agricultural Consultancy Services), UWFC (Ukrainian Women Farmer’s Council), Agro-Tavria, and five local technical universities
- Project Length: 2014-2021
UHBDP Key Learning series areas include
- ICT tools for Women Economic empowerment
- Access to high-quality inputs through an E-voucher program
- Gender Equality Smart Innovation Grants
- Improved access to financials via a partnership with a local bank
UHBDP achievements to date
MEDA’s UHBDP Learning Series shares best practices and key learnings from our partnerships and programs in Ukraine, amplifying the voices and perceptions of our clients. Also, check out the UHBDP Client Stories playlist for more information.
