Promoting and Protecting the Interests of Children who Work (PPIC-Work) seeks to improve the working conditions and learning opportunities for economically active children and youth (from 6 to 18 years of age) who work in the growing micro- and small enterprise sector in Egypt. The project works with and through locally owned microfinance institutions (MFIs) to pilot and test financial and non-financial services to businesses employing underage workers. Through the loan process, the project supports microfinance institutions in upgrading technology and improving learning opportunities and safety conditions for at-risk and underage workers in the workplace.

The intervention tools have been developed through a child rights-based approach with a strong emphasis on the participation of working children in the design and implementation of the project. Gender equality has also been a strong focus in developing programming with working children and with MFI staff. The application of these intervention tools are consistent with microfinance best practice principles and can therefore be integrated into the on-going, self-financing programming of MFIs, allowing large numbers of children to be reached over time.

Programming is implemented through a series of linked interventions:

Improving working conditions:

• Dual purpose loans that improve business performance and children’s work
• A code of conduct developed with both business owners and working children
• Capacity building of MFIs and loan officers in techniques to identify, analyze and mitigate workplace hazards

Improving learning opportunities:

• Education support programs to help working children perform in school and build self esteem and confidence
• Computer based learning that teaches business principles and business ethics
• Learning through work that strengthens the learning process within workplaces in collaboration with business owners

Key Processes:

• Children’s rights
• Gender equality
• Children’s participation

Surveys with working girls and boys are showing that improvements in their lives and work occur when

• business owners are aware of problems and are ready and able to make changes, and
• children themselves become aware of their rights and are able to negotiate changes with business owners.

Richard Carothers, Project Director
richardcarothers@rogers.com

Jennifer Denomy, Project Manager
jdenomy@meda.org

2002 to 2009