Multicultural partners plant cocoa in the DR Congo

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), cocoa farming has the potential to do more than provide an income. It can help protect the Congo Basin rainforest, create local jobs, and give farming families the opportunity to build a better future. However, many smallholder farmers face persistent poverty, limited access to markets, and a lack of training in sustainable agricultural practices. Through this project, we aim to promote shade-grown cocoa farming near the Dyjepredhu Reserve and Virunga National Park, helping communities protect biodiversity while developing more sustainable livelihoods.

Our project has a total budget of $25,000, and we are currently preparing for implementation. We are identifying qualified trainers and prospective learners who will participate in the upcoming activities. Planned interventions include distributing quality cocoa seedlings, training farmers in sustainable agroforestry, improving cocoa traceability to reduce the risk of revenues supporting armed groups, and strengthening local processing opportunities through Virunga Origins. To date, we have raised $0 toward our fundraising goal. We are therefore working to mobilize the resources needed to begin implementation. Through our collaboration with GlobalGiving, we hope to reach more international donors and build the support required to turn this vision into action.

The change we seek is both environmental and human. By helping farmers adopt sustainable practices and access better market opportunities, we aim to reduce pressure on the rainforest, improve household incomes, create employment, and strengthen community resilience. Our long-term ambition is to support agroforestry across 10,000 to 20,000 hectares, while building a stronger local cocoa economy. These figures represent our goals, and achieving them will depend on funding, implementation, and continued community participation.

You can help make this vision a reality. We invite individuals, organizations, and partners around the world to support this initiative. Every donation, no matter the amount, can bring us closer to launching training activities, equipping farmers with the knowledge they need, and creating new opportunities for rural families. We sincerely thank GlobalGiving for helping connect our mission with a global community of people who care about sustainable development and lasting change. To all our current and future supporters, thank you for believing in the power of local communities to shape their own future. With your help, we can protect forests, strengthen livelihoods, and build a more hopeful future for the next generation.