Peace through Economic Action and Community Empowerment

This project aims to reduce rural poverty and enhance inclusion towards post-conflict stability in central Sofala. This project seeks to improve health and education services advance local economic opportunities and strengthen participatory governance in the Gorongosa National Park (GNP) and its buffer zone with special attention to women and girls. Project activities include: (1) improving reading and life skills for girls through support to girls’ clubs; (2) providing skills training to women smallholders on good agronomic practices and climate-smart techniques for essential food and cash crops (cashew and honey); and (3) establishing Women’s Development Committees to promote greater participation of women in community decision-making.

The expected outcomes for the project include: (1) improved access to and performance of education and health services in the GNP Buffer Zone with particular emphasis on girls and women; (2) improved sustainable economic opportunities for men and women through rural productive value chain development including addressing barriers for women to benefit from these opportunities; and (3) improved men and women’s civic participation and benefit from local development processes.