The “Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn)” was a four-year initiative, running from 2020 to 2024, funded by the European Union, the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Ghana, UNCDF, and SNV. The programme aimed to create greater economic and employment opportunities for youth, women, and returning migrants by promoting sustainable, green businesses in the Ashanti and Western regions. It was implemented under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa.

GrEEn contributed to addressing the root causes of irregular migration by supporting sustainable and climate-resilient local economies and green jobs in regions of departure, transit, and return. It focused on building local financial ecosystems to support the development of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) and enable the transition to green and climate-resilient growth.

Through a combination of grants, technical assistance, and convening power, the programme worked with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, other relevant ministries, and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to:

Support the transition of local economies to green and climate-resilient development
Improve access to job and entrepreneurship opportunities for youth, women, and returning migrants
Strengthen local ecosystems that support self-employment and MSME growth

GrEEn was structured around four result areas. UNCDF focused on Results 1 and 3, while SNV led Results 2 and 4:

  • Supported local economic growth and created short-term jobs through cash-for-work
  • Improved access to green jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities
  • Expanded access to financial services for cash-for-work beneficiaries and MSMEs
  • Accelerated the growth of SMEs in the green and circular economy.

Through GrEEn, UNCDF:

  • Created short-term job opportunities through green and climate-resilient investments
  • Strengthened employability through orientation and transition support to skills development including digital literacy
  • Expanded access to financial services, including digital solutions and remittance-linked products, tailored to youth, women, returnees, and MSMEs