SDI empowers communities by supporting entrepreneurship and business development. The aim of this focal area is to increase income , employment and self reliance.  Our key approach include; a) skills development; b) market linkages; c) Value Addition; d) Collective Marketing and e) Linkages to financing Institutions. SDI has supported a number of community enterprises such as beekeeping, dairy farming, handicrafts and small-scale irrigation
Handcraft Cooperatives
Picture

Through the Youth Economic and Social Action, SDI trained  80 handicrafts artisans (  women, youth  and men) in handicrafts. In the year 2018 SDI is upscaling this intervention to link handicrafts artisans to local and international markets and fair-trade  schemes.

​Smallholder Dairy Improvement Project (SDIP)
​Supported by IFAD through Rural Livelihoods and Economic Enhancement Programme (RLEEP), SDI  implemented SDIP in Thyolo, Matapwata EPA from 2014 to 2017.The project worked with 5 Milk Bulking Groups (MBGs) namely Nansadi, Namahoya, Goliati, Matapwata and Kalimbuka. The overall objective of the project was;
 - To sustainably increase daily household milk production and income by 80%   for dairy farmers in Matapwata Extension Planning Area while adapting to effects of climate change and ensuring food security.
The project had over 1000 farmer beneficiaries. It also promoted adoption of biogas technologies. This was done to help farmers to keep their kholas clean while at the same time providing them with energy and manure.Dairy farmers in Matapwata Extension Planning Area are engaged in dairy farming business using cross breeds and pure dairy cows.