About Us

ABOUT

The One Economy Foundation is a social welfare organisation (Reg. WO 468), launched in May 2016 and established under the Namibian Companies Act as a Section 21 entity (Association not for Gain).

Namibia, like many countries, has a dual economy: one comprising middle to high-income earners, and the other made up of low-income individuals.

The One Economy Foundation exists to bridge this socioeconomic divide by building pathways to equality and shared prosperity—creating an economy where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.

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PURPOSE

Our goal and vision is to:

Work to transform mindsets and empower communities in order to improve their livelihoods through evidence-based interventions;
Facilitate an enabling environment for young people to break the chains that limit their potential;
Serve youth from vulnerable communities, especially those who would not otherwise have fair access to quality education, health and wellness and entrepreneurial opportunities.

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HEART

Our purpose and mission is to:

Establish an intersectional safe space with adequate capacity and resources to respond to the needs of young people in a coordinated manner;
Serve people from all backgrounds - especially young people - whose potential may be limited by inequality and psychosocial and socio-economic challenges;
Co-create interventions and programmes informed by the lived experiences of our beneficiaries.

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GOAL

WE ARE PEOPLE-CENTRIC

We ensure our programmes and interventions are informed by the lived experiences of our beneficiaries, hereby building long-lasting relationships and sustainable solutions.

WE ARE NEEDS-SPECIFIC

We implement programmes and interventions which are relevant, targeted and evidence-based.

WE ARE BRIDGE-BUILDERS

We connect the powerless to the powerful, and we help build a bridge between the two economies to achieve greater impact.

WE STRIVE FOR COLLABORATION

We work with like-minded organisations and strengthen existing systems to avoid duplication of efforts and optimise resources.

WE’RE ALL ABOUT EMPOWERMENT

We empower people, communities and organisations to champion their own growth and development.

WE LOVE DIALOGUE

We convene, encourage and elevate open and frank dialogue on burning issues that are traditionally considered taboo, and we use our platforms to disseminate key learnings and provide policy recommendations.

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AIM

The One Economy Foundation adopts a holistic approach to its interventions and initiatives, ensuring impact at every stage of life.

We prioritise the voices of those directly affected by the issues we seek to address, and through continuous benchmarking and meaningful engagement with communities and young people, we ensure our programmes genuinely reflect their needs.

The foundation places a strong emphasis on educational programmes to enhance learning and skill development, which includes:

• Afterschool Programmes: Offering structured afterschool activities to support

• Tutoring and Mentorship: Providing tutoring and mentorship to support academic success.

• STEAM Training: Promoting science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics education.

• Computer Literacy: Enhancing digital skills and computer literacy.

• Innovation: Encouraging innovative thinking, design and problem-solving.

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PROVISION

Our primary focus is on safeguarding individuals from harm through essential programmes, awareness raising and initiatives aimed at prevention and support. This includes:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Healthcare: Providing prevention awareness and comprehensive SRHR clinical services.

• Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBV-F) Awareness: Implementing initiatives to combat GBV and femicide and aftercare support.

• Mental Health and Psychosocial Support: Offering non-judgemental mental health services and psychosocial support to youth.

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CAPACITY

EDUCATION

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SAFEGUARDING

We develop and provide accredited training programmes to up-skill young people, parents, community-based groups, corporates and frontline service providers. Building capacity through entrepreneurship and skills development programmes is a cornerstone of the foundation’s approach. This includes:

• Entrepreneurship: Providing resources and training to foster entrepreneurial skills.

• Skills Development: Offering programmes aimed at enhancing various skills.

• Mentoring: Establishing mentoring programmes to guide and support individuals in their personal and professional development.

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A fundamental part of our service delivery model is providing integrated services that address various socio-economic needs, thereby laying strong foundations for young individuals. This involves:

• Early Intervention: Delivering critical services and interventions at an early age to foster strong character development.

• Holistic Services: Ensuring the provision of comprehensive and integrated services.

Our Guiding Principles

At the One Economy Foundation, we are dedicated to creating opportunities for individuals and communities by addressing their needs through a life-cycle approach. With a bottom-up approach and a commitment to fostering non-judgemental spaces, we strive to design programmes that reflect the aspirations of our youth and communities.

Governance

With a board led by a majority of independent non-executive directors, our operations are guided by a robust governance framework and comprehensive policies, further reinforcing our commitment to transparency and accountability. This is consistently reflected in our history of unqualified audit opinions.

Sustainability

Our sustainability model is deeply integrated throughout the foundation, from our programming that strategically leverages smart partnerships to reduce operational costs, to the income-generating facilities provided by our campus.

Partnerships

Strong partnerships strengthen our reach and impact. We work with diverse organisations to bring shared resources and expertise to our initiatives, enhancing our mission of holistic empowerment.

Governance

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Board