International Award for Sense International Enterprise Project

3 December 2024

On 3 December, the Zero Project announced the winners of its Awards for Innovative Solutions centred around Inclusive Employment and ICT. Sense International is thrilled that its work in Kenya has been recognised as one of the 77 winners from across 43 countries.

Sense International’s InBusiness programme provides people with deafblindness or other complex disabilities in Kenya with mentoring and business support to enable them to live independent lives. Micro-Entrepreneurs (MEs) are also connected to other enterprises to help their businesses grow.

This initiative is part of the Inclusive Futures Disability Inclusive Development Programme funded by FCDO.

The Zero Project is committed to supporting the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD), by researching, identifying, communicating, and supporting innovative solutions globally and across all sectors of society. This year’s research cycle was dedicated to the themes of Inclusive Employment, and Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

Through their InBusiness programme Sense International Kenya adapted existing training methods used by our Inclusive Futures Partners to suit the complex needs of the MEs. This included language adaptation, simplified record-keeping tools and providing training for business development support providers so they are able to better understand the needs of the MEs.

The programme provides the MEs with growth kits as donations rather than loans. This approach allows MEs to focus entirely on growing their businesses without the stress of loan repayments. The programme includes business and self-advocacy training, mentorship, and linking them to market opportunities. This approach builds on the strengths of MEs, helping them gain confidence in running successful businesses. Between 2021 and 2024, Sense International Kenya supported 36 micro-entrepreneurs and connected them to 32 public and private institutions. 60 per cent of the first cohort have doubled their sales. With this initiative, 28 of the 36 MEs are able to lead a more independent and fulfilling life, void of depending on family members and others for support.

Daniel Musango, Country Programme Lead for Sense International Kenya said: “People with deafblindness and other complex disabilities are often excluded within their communities, they face many barriers to social and economic inclusion and live isolated lives. Our InBusiness Micro Entrepreneurs programme plays a crucial role in breaking down barriers and developing connections as well as giving people with deafblindness the chance to live fulfilling, independent lives. We are truly honoured to have received recognition for our work from the Zero Project.”

Following the announcement of the Zero Project Awardees 2025, the Zero Project will present and promote these during the invitation-only Zero Project Conference 2025 – #ZeroCon25 – at the United Nations Office at Vienna from March 5 to 7, 2025. For more information about #ZeroCon25, please visit: zerocon25.zeroproject.org. More than 1,000 participants from 100 countries are expected to attend the conference in person, with many more joining online for livestreamed sessions, and on-demand content.