Request for Expression of Interest
PAIDAR – Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh
(Microgrants for Setting up Micro/Small Businesses)
NRSP is implementing the Microgrants component of the PAIDAR programme in District Sujawal, Sindh, with funding support from the European Union and technical guidance from United Nation’s Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The initiative aims to boost economic recovery and resilience in a region deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating floods of 2022. Sujawal, one of the most vulnerable districts, faces high levels of poverty and unemployment, compounded by a fragile economy. Through the provision of microgrants, PAIDAR programme is empowering local entrepreneurs to establish and expand businesses, creating new income streams and revitalizing the local economy.
The PAIDAR programme is part of a broader effort to support economic recovery in Sindh, developed under the province’s Poverty Reduction Strategy (PRS) with EU assistance. A key component of this strategy is the creation of Rural Growth Centers (RGCs) in five districts, including Sujawal, to serve as economic hubs that drive rural development. The microgrants program complements this initiative by promoting small businesses that will provide crucial inputs, such as raw materials and skilled labor, around these RGCs. This integrated approach is designed to stimulate local economies and foster sustainable development.
The microgrants initiative is particularly focused on addressing the livelihoods crisis in Sujawal. By offering financial support to potential entrepreneurs, the program provides a lifeline to communities that have been severely impacted by natural disasters and economic disruptions. These grants enable individuals, especially women and youth, to start or expand businesses, creating employment opportunities and fostering economic empowerment. The focus on vocational training and skills development further ensures that both skilled and unskilled labor can benefit from the growing market demand.
Ultimately, this microgrants component aims to strengthen the overall economy of rural Sindh by fostering a vibrant network of small enterprises that can support the long-term growth of the region. By creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and enhancing market links, the initiative contributes to the socio-economic uplift of Sujawal and surrounding areas, promoting resilience and sustainable development for years to come. The Microgrants Component of the PAIDAR Programme is expected to continue till end May 2026.
Thematic Focus of the Microgrants
The micro-grants would be awarded for a diverse range of viable business ideas in any area that contribute to the objectives of the PAIDAR project. There is no pre-defined list of thematic areas and this would depend on the grantee’s needs, prior experience and feasibility of the proposed business ideas. However, grants would not be awarded in these four negative list areas: a) infrastructure/ construction, b) subsistence grants, c) grants for non-productive purposes such as purchase of appliances etc., and d) production of agriculture & livestock.
The Microgrants offer enormous opportunities for value chain development in areas of Agriculture and Livestock, Fisheries and Handicrafts & Traditional Crafts As well.