Cost Estimates per Trainee & Women’s Empowerment Funding Justification
1. Cost Estimates per Trainee
Based on the total project budget of USD 777,960 and 600 direct trainees, the per-trainee investment reflects a full-cycle empowerment model (training → tools → income pathways).
| Cost Category | Cost per Trainee (USD) |
|---|---|
| Training Personnel & Instruction | $238 |
| Equipment & Tool Access | $281 |
| Materials & Consumables | $208 |
| Facilities & Operations | $127 |
| Participant Support (stipends, childcare) | $180 |
| Market Access & Cooperative Development | $108 |
| Monitoring, Evaluation & Safeguards | $61 |
| Administration & Compliance | $95 |
| Total Cost per Trainee | $1,298 |
This cost covers:
• 6–8 months of vocational training
• Shared and personal sewing equipment
• Raw materials and consumables
• Business and cooperative formation
• Protection safeguards and monitoring
• Transition to income generation
Cost Comparison and Value
Comparable vocational programs in displacement settings typically range from $1,100–$1,600 per participant.
This program includes enterprise development and market linkage (not just training), representing higher long-term value.
Equipment investments reduce costs for subsequent cohorts.
2. Cost per Woman Beneficiary
Estimated women participants: 75% (≈450 women)
Effective cost per woman trained: ~$1,350 (includes gender-specific supports)
Cost per woman’s household impacted: ~$225 (average household size 6)
3. Alignment with Women’s Empowerment Funding Priorities
A. Economic Empowerment
• Income-generating skills in sewing and crafts
• Cooperative ownership models
• Access to productive assets (machines, tools)
• Financial literacy and savings groups
Funding Alignment: USAID GEWE, UN Women WEE, and livelihoods-focused foundations
B. Gender-Responsive Design
• Women-only training spaces
• Female trainers and mentors
• Childcare stipends to remove participation barriers
• Home-based production options
Funding Alignment: UN Women, EU gender programming, private foundations
C. Protection and Safeguards
• GBV risk mitigation integrated into training
• Safe scheduling and secure facilities
• Confidential feedback mechanisms
Funding Alignment: UNHCR protection-linked livelihoods funding, humanitarian pooled funds
D. Leadership and Agency
• Women-led cooperatives
• Participation in pricing, production, and governance decisions
• Youth and adolescent girl leadership tracks
Funding Alignment: Women’s leadership and social inclusion funding streams
4. Return on Investment (ROI) for Women’s Empowerment
Projected Economic Outcomes
• Average monthly income post-training: $45–$75 per woman
• Income stabilization within 3–6 months
• Potential annual income per woman: $540–$900
• Household food security improvements and reduced negative coping mechanisms
Within 18–24 months, the initial per-trainee investment is projected to be fully offset by earned income (excluding non-economic benefits).
5. Donor-Specific Funding Options
| Option | Description | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Option 1 | Full-cohort sponsorship for 100 women trainees (training, equipment, stipends, market access) | $129,800 |
| Option 2 | Women’s cooperative sponsorship (25-member cooperative: equipment, materials, business training, startup support) | $35,000 |
| Option 3 | Girl-focused skills track for 30 adolescent girls (safeguarding, mentorship, life-skills integration) | $18,000 |
6. Gender-Specific Indicators (Sample)
• % of women trainees generating income within 6 months
• Average monthly income earned by women participants
• % of women in cooperative leadership roles
• Reduction in reported economic vulnerability
• Participant-reported increases in decision-making power
7. Conclusion (Budget Narrative)
At $1,298 per trainee, this program represents a high-impact, cost-effective investment in women’s economic empowerment in one of the most constrained humanitarian environments in the world. Beyond skills training, the program delivers dignity, agency, protection, and sustainable livelihoods for Rohingya women and their families while preserving cultural heritage.