[{"bbox": [129, 135, 1101, 223], "category": "Text", "text": "developed countries, the programme will ensure that the formalisation requirements are not too restrictive as to prevent Micro and Small Enterprises from benefiting from the access to finance facility of the programme."}, {"bbox": [129, 234, 1101, 583], "category": "Text", "text": "Policy dialogue involving key government stakeholders, SME associations including the Malawi Confederation of Chambers of Commerce and Industry, and the SME Chamber, and other non state actors concerned with entrepreneurship related policies and laws, is an essential intervention of this action. The logic driving this intervention rests in that entrepreneurship growth is continually stifled by poorly crafted policies, limited enforcement of good policies, and lack of incentives to support growth of the MSME sector. If stakeholders (private sector, economic think thanks, chambers of commerce, umbrella organisations) are willing to engage in discussion with the government, the implementing agency and the EU on recommended policy measures, then the enabling environment for entrepreneurship growth may be improved. Also, if government works towards redressing the policy constraints and offers adequate incentives to businesses, these may in turn be more inclined to formalise their status and grow into mid-sized companies, offering decent employment and complying with legal, regulatory and fiscal responsibilities."}, {"bbox": [129, 634, 1101, 896], "category": "Text", "text": "There is strong recognition of lack of entrepreneurial culture in the country, coupled by restrictive negative attitudes towards women and disadvantaged groups involved in entrepreneurship ventures. The rationale for developing various media activities surrounding entrepreneurship is to showcase and communicate positive messages on entrepreneurship and the far-reaching positive contributions to an individual's life, the society and the nation as a whole. The idea is to change the mind-set of the youth from searching for employment in the corporate world, to creating successful business ventures and become employers themselves. Focus will also be on changing husbands' negative attitudes towards spouses involved in entrepreneurship, and women's self-undermining attitudes towards their entrepreneurial capabilities."}, {"bbox": [129, 907, 1101, 966], "category": "Text", "text": "Having a 7-year action will ensure that sufficient capacity is built in all stakeholders, and linkages and synergies are consolidated."}, {"bbox": [129, 1020, 357, 1049], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 4.3 Mainstreaming"}, {"bbox": [129, 1061, 1101, 1149], "category": "Text", "text": "A number of cross-cutting issues are at the core of the current action, considering its inclusiveness and sustainability objectives. The Action will seek to specifically target populations living in vulnerable situation, in particular women and youth."}, {"bbox": [129, 1160, 1101, 1393], "category": "Text", "text": "**Gender equality and women empowerment** will not only be mainstreamed into the results areas, activities and indicators, but will also be a significant objective of the action. The action will seek in particular to support women's access to TEVET, credit and opportunities for business development. To make sure that the gender aspect remains at the forefront of the action, partnership with a Non-Governmental Organisation dealing primarily (or solely) in gender issues may be mobilised in support. Experts in gender issues within TEVET and the entrepreneurial ecosystem will be requested as part of the implementing entity's required pool of experts during implementation."}, {"bbox": [129, 1404, 1101, 1578], "category": "Text", "text": "Female students are disadvantaged both in formal as well as in informal TEVET training as many drop out of primary or secondary school with poor literacy and numeracy skills. This action will continue to enhance and extend access and retention in TEVET programs by using guidance and counselling programs implemented in secondary schools highlighting TEVET careers. Furthermore, the action will ensure that issues of gender based violence in technical training institutions are addressed in order to provide safe access to the female students."}, {"bbox": [603, 1665, 630, 1690], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "17"}]