The project we are proposing aims to promote the economic and social development of a cooperative consisting of 30 women in the rural area of Toubacouta, focusing on self-sufficiency and the empowerment of the most vulnerable individuals. Access to water will be ensured through the installation of a 30-meter-deep well equipped with a solar-powered pump. Additionally, to preserve water resources, a drip irrigation system will be implemented.

The project plans to increase the frequency of vegetable harvests up to three times a year, thereby improving the income and food security of the women in the cooperative and their families—approximately 300 people in total. Furthermore, we aim to strengthen the beneficiaries’ autonomy through specialized training on innovative agricultural practices, cooperative management, and the independent use of water and photovoltaic systems.

To ensure the sustainability of the economic model, we will actively involve the beneficiaries and local stakeholders from the initial phases through working meetings. This approach is based on the belief that access to water and renewable energy production are crucial in stimulating the development of African rural communities. The project will have a duration of 12 months, during which we will strive to build a replicable and sustainable economic and environmental system in the long term.

The general objective of the project is to promote the economic and social development (self-sufficiency and empowerment) of vulnerable individuals (a cooperative of 30 women) in the rural area of Toubacouta. To achieve this goal, we have identified the following specific objectives:

1. Ensure access to water through the installation of a modern 30-meter-deep well equipped with a solar-powered pump.
2. Ensure groundwater conservation through a drip irrigation system.
3. Increase the annual harvesting cycles of horticultural products (up to three harvests) thanks to continuous water availability.
4. Increase the income of the women in the cooperative through vegetable sales.
5. Promote food security by increasing the availability of horticultural food products for the 30 women and their families (300 people).
6. Enhance the autonomy of beneficiaries in conducting economic and self-sufficiency activities through specialized training.
7. Strengthen the management skills of cooperative members (statute, sales, administration) through targeted training.
8. Provide knowledge on innovative agricultural practices through specialized training.
9. Develop skills for the independent management and use of water and photovoltaic systems through training sessions.
10. Engage beneficiaries and local stakeholders from the early stages to ensure the sustainability of the economic model through working meetings.

Considering the previously described objectives—related to access to water and renewable energy production as key drivers of economic and social development in African rural communities—and the involvement of local actors in developing a replicable and sustainable economic and environmental system, we propose a 12-month project.

Lenders

This project was carried out with the collaboration of these public body lenders or private company lenders

BnD private lenders