(Since March 2000)

TSEP mission is to reduce poverty by helping poor people of very low income to start micro businesses. The program targets the poorest and most vulnerable sectors of the population particularily women and unemployed young people.

TSEP has been designed to help poor people help themselves. It is mainly dedicated to reducing poverty by assisting unemployed poor people to start businesses that they plan and manage themselves.

TSEP is not a credit program, but it provides seed capital in the form of a L.E.300 (US$53) conditional grant to be disbursed in two equal installments.

TSEP is based on the belief that development must begin with people with their own ideas and experience, and build on their skills and unemployed time.

TSEP is funded from the contributions of the businessmen and the members of ABA. 
TSEP is managed by the SME Project Staff who volunteered to implement the program.
The clients of the SME Project also help in monitoring the beneficiaries of the program.

The grant is disbursed in accordance with the following conditions:

First Installment: 
(1) Recipient should plan & manage the business 
(2) Recipient should work a minimum of 8 hours per day in 3 months
(3) Recipient should plan to continue & expand the business

Second Installment:
(1) The business is still active after 3 months
(2) Proof of working at least 8 hours per day during the 3 months

Graduation:
All the beneficiaries of TSEP who sustained their businesses are eligible to join “Blossoms of Micro Enterprise Program” and could receive loans according to the regulations of that program. Loans will be disbursed on SOLIDARITY GROUP basis.