Empower 150 Women in DRC with Eco-Farming

1. Executive Summary

The project “Empower 150 Women in DRC with Eco-Farming” aims to strengthen the economic, social, and environmental resilience of 150 rural women in Kabare and Walungu, South Kivu Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Through eco-friendly agriculture and the creation of community savings groups, the project addresses poverty, food insecurity, and environmental degradation at the same time.

The total project budget is USD 5,000.
To date, no funds have yet been raised, but thanks to our strategic collaboration with GlobalGiving, we are confident that this fundraising goal will be achieved with the support of committed donors.

The project is scheduled to begin in November 2025. We are currently in the phase of identifying trainers and beneficiaries.

2. Background and Justification

In rural areas of South Kivu, women are the backbone of agricultural production and household survival. However, they face:

• extreme and persistent poverty;
• very limited income-generating opportunities;
• exclusion from formal financial systems;
• unsustainable farming practices that degrade soil and ecosystems.

These challenges trap families in a cycle of vulnerability. This project offers a practical and sustainable response by placing women at the center of change, through ecological farming and community-based savings mechanisms.

3. Project Objectives

Overall Objective

To sustainably improve the living conditions of 150 rural women in South Kivu through ecological agriculture and community-based financial inclusion.

Specific Objectives

• Build women’s skills in eco-friendly farming techniques;
• Increase vegetable production and household food security;
• Improve household income;
• Promote savings and access to small loans;
• Strengthen women’s leadership and community participation.

4. Beneficiaries

• 150 rural women from Kabare and Walungu
• Their families and surrounding communities as indirect beneficiaries
• Local markets, strengthened by sustainable and healthy food production

5. Key Activities

• Training women in:
• composting and organic fertilization
• mulching techniques
• crop rotation
• organic pest control
• Establishment of community savings and loan groups
• Local production and sale of vegetables
• Creation of a community fund to provide small loans

6. Expected Results

• 150 women trained and economically empowered
• Improved household and community food security
• Increased income from vegetable sales
• Greater access to savings and small loans
• Improved soil health and environmental protection
• Stronger role of women in local decision-making

7. Approach and Sustainability

The project is built on a dual sustainable model:

1. Ecological farming, which reduces costs and protects natural resources
2. Community savings groups, ensuring long-term financial continuity

Trained women will reinvest their income in:

• family health
• children’s education
• local economic activities

As a result, the project’s impact will continue well beyond its initial implementation period.

8. Project Budget

• Total budget: USD 5,000
• Funds raised to date: USD 0

Through the GlobalGiving platform, the project benefits from international visibility and a trusted framework for transparency and accountability, significantly increasing its chances of reaching the fundraising goal.

9. Current Status

• Project concept finalized and validated
• Partnership with GlobalGiving established
• Identification of trainers and beneficiaries underway
• Project start planned for November 2025

10. Call to Donors

We make a strong and heartfelt appeal to individuals, foundations, companies, and partners of goodwill:
your support can transform the lives of 150 women and their families.

Every contribution—no matter the size—helps to:

• fight poverty
• improve food security
• protect the environment
• promote gender equality

By supporting this project, you are investing in real, measurable, and lasting impact.

11. Acknowledgements

We express our deepest gratitude to everyone who believes in this initiative.
Special thanks go to GlobalGiving for its partnership and trust, as well as to all current and future donors whose generosity makes this project possible.

Together, we can build a more just, greener, and more resilient future for rural women in South Kivu.

Introduction:

The project "Empower 150 Women in DRC with Eco-Farming" aims to strengthen the autonomy of rural women in the Kabare and Walungu regions of the Democratic Republic of Congo. This project, which promotes eco-friendly farming and savings groups, is designed to improve the living conditions of 150 women by providing them with tools for sustainable income while contributing to environmental preservation.

Project Context:
In South Kivu province, rural women face major challenges: extreme poverty, limited economic opportunities, and exclusion from financial systems. Unsustainable farming practices exacerbate food insecurity and environmental degradation. This project addresses these issues by introducing sustainable agricultural practices such as composting, crop rotation, and organic pest control. Additionally, the integration of savings groups enables women to pool funds for collective investments and access microcredit.

Project Objectives:

1. Enhance women's skills in eco-friendly farming: Train 150 women in composting, organic pest control, crop rotation, and other sustainable farming techniques to help them become leaders in eco-friendly agriculture.
2. Promote financial inclusion: Organize the beneficiaries into savings groups to enable them to collectively manage funds, access small loans, and support community-based projects.
3. Increase income and food security: By selling locally grown vegetables, women will increase their income and contribute to improving food security within their communities.
4. Promote gender equality and reduce poverty: Empowering women will reduce gender inequalities and contribute to poverty alleviation in rural areas.

Methodology:
To achieve these goals, we have developed an integrated approach that combines agricultural training and financial education. The main steps are as follows:

• Practical and theoretical training: Participants will be trained in ecological farming techniques, which will enable them to grow local produce sustainably.
• Creation of savings groups: Women will be organized into small units where they will pool a portion of their earnings to finance collective projects and offer low-interest loans to members.
• Monitoring and evaluation: A monitoring system will be put in place to assess the project's impact on agricultural productivity, income, food security, and women's empowerment.

Project Budget:
The total budget for the project is 25,000 USD. Although funds have not yet been fully raised, we are confident that, thanks to our partnership with GlobalGiving, we will reach this goal. The funding will cover training costs, the purchase of agricultural materials, the operational costs of savings groups, and the infrastructure needed for project implementation.
General Budget Breakdown:

• Training and awareness: 7,000 USD
• Agricultural materials and resources: 8,000 USD
• Savings group organization: 5,000 USD
• Monitoring and evaluation: 5,000 USD

Expected Impact:
This project will have a direct and lasting impact on the participating women, as well as on their families and communities.

• Economically, women will see an increase in their income through more efficient farming practices and access to funds for micro-investments.
• Socially, they will become role models of female leadership and agents of change in their communities, helping reduce gender inequalities.
• Environmentally, the use of sustainable farming practices will contribute to the preservation of land and natural resources.

Call to Action:
We urge all donors and partners to join this initiative and help empower rural women in South Kivu. Your support is crucial for turning this project into a reality, allowing 150 women to improve their living conditions and become catalysts for change in their communities. With the support of GlobalGiving, we are confident that we will reach our funding goal and make a lasting impact on the lives of these women.

Acknowledgments:
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all those who have already contributed to this project. Your generosity will transform the lives of many women and their families. We are also grateful to GlobalGiving for their invaluable support, which will enable us to reach our funding target.

Conclusion:
This project is more than just an agricultural initiative. It is an investment in the future of women, their families, and their communities. Together, we can build a more just, equitable, and sustainable future for rural women in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Thank you for your support and commitment to making a difference.