Economic Growth Congo, Democratic Republic of the Project #56985

Businesses for 60 Changemaker Women in DR Congo

by FEDERATION DES ORGANISATIONS DES PRODUCTEURS AGRICOLES (FOPAC SK)

Summary

This project will advance new initiatives of women's economic development within the context of peacebuilding in Rwenena, DR Congo. Economic progress is unsustainable without peace. We provide business start-up training and provisions for more than 60 women. Households are working cooperatively to advance the enterprises and ensure basic needs are met. Our facilitated peace summits have become beacons of hope in and beyond Rwenena.

$10,000
total goal

$784
remaining

37
donors

3
monthly donors

1
year

Challenge

A former refugee camp, international agencies have considered Rwenena too conflict-prone to be safe and too remote to access due to lack of adequate infrastructure. Women have long been considered inferior to men, who make all decisions and who don't hesitate to abuse women with sexual- and gender-based violence. Women's voices & self-esteem are lost. Sudden crises inevitably result in food insecurity. Rwenena must withstand shocks to prosper and break the cycle of poverty.

Solution

We provide tools & training for the development of women's micro-enterprises including business literacy. Women share best practices & lessons learned. We encourage socioeconomic growth of the household unit: With weekly planning meetings & collaborative labor, they advance what becomes a family business. We coordinate well-respected peace summits conducted by a local leader. These events offer an inter-ethnic platform for residents & area leaders to hear & address grievances.

Long-Term Impact

People and families aligned with the community-led development approach in Rwenena will continue to work together to maintain peace and advance economic prosperity. These successes will spread to more residents & more communities. Peace summits will continue as a forum for holistic communications, reforms, & new initiatives. More young people will marry inter-ethnically for love & family. Today's women changemakers are giving their daughters newfound hope & confidence for their futures.