CBM and our project partner, the National Union of Disability Organisations in Rwanda (NUDOR), received an award for promoting disability inclusion in our work. The prestigious award was presented to CBM on 6 March at the Zero Project Conference, held at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria.
This award honours initiatives that address the needs and rights of persons with disabilities, contributing to a more just and inclusive society—a world with zero barriers. The 2025 theme focuses on innovative solutions for employment and information and communication technology (ICT).
The winning project, “Save and Invest for Your Bright Future,” focuses on livelihoods for persons with disabilities in rural Rwanda. It has successfully established 750 village savings and loan groups (VSLGs), benefiting 22,500 members, 90% of whom are persons with disabilities or their caregivers, and 60% are women.
Impact of VSLGs on economic empowerment
Eugenie Mukantagwera, CBM Country Director in Rwanda, emphasised the project's impact in remote areas where poverty is prevalent and people often struggle to meet basic needs such as education, food, and medical services.
“VSLGs bring people together to pool their money and distribute loans for income-generating activities, which are then paid back. The project helps people with disabilities to be self-sufficient, so they don’t have to wait for support from others and can develop confidence,” Eugenie explains.
