Economic Empowerment is about enabling people in need to become economically independent so they can lead self-determined lives. Despite economic growth in Eastern Africa, poverty rates remain very high, with rural populations and the younger generation in major cities particularly affected. Our work in this focus area is based on two initiatives: enterprise development and vocational training.

In times of crises, rapid and stable support is of the utmost importance. Our long-standing partner organizations, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, @fire - Internationaler Katastrophenschutz, and Ärzte ohne Grenzen Schweiz / Médecins Sans Frontières Suisse, have been physically on the ground since day one.

We are extremely proud to announce that the MicroBuild Fund has received the World Habitat Award by UN-Habitat. The MicroBuild Fund of Habitat for Humanity International focuses on helping low-income families access housing through microfinance institutions and has helped over one million people worldwide.

Regular collaboration with international musicians and orchestras is a key element of the Iberacademy curriculum. At the end of January, the Iberacademy Orchestra Medellín embarked on its next concert tour to Europe. The young musicians will perform at the first music festival of the year, the renowned "Mozartwoche Salzburg”, before traveling on to Feldkirch.

Block your calendars already now on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. (GMT+1). Join us for a fascinating live-stream session and listen to Maritime Archaeologist Franck Goddio. He will update us on the latest developments of the ongoing excavations of Thonis-Heracleion in Egypt.