Last May, we presented a project to support agriculture and craftsmanship in southern Burundi. In a few months, it will come to an end. We therefore wanted to show you the concrete impact and sustainability of an initiative that you have supported with us.
Louvain Coopération has been present in Burundi since 2003 and, despite years of civil war and the most recent political tensions in 2015, the UCLouvain NGO remains active in this country where the needs are enormous.
To support the population, we are running a large-scale project (PROVAPA-TUGWIZAKAZI) to assist farmers and artisans in order to increase and diversify family incomes, but also to promote job creation. This project is supported by the European Union and is being implemented in the south of the country (in the provinces of Makamba and Rutana), a region where associations are usually less present and which currently hosts many returnees from Tanzania.
In concrete terms, the aim is to increase families' agricultural production so that they can eat enough throughout the year and earn an income by selling their surplus. This involves distributing livestock, providing training, supporting the production of adequate tools and quality seeds, etc. In addition, young people and women are supported in setting up profitable economic activities (trade, hairdressing, baking, beekeeping, sewing, carpentry, mechanics, blacksmithing, welding and basketry) through training and tools. All these sectors provide employment not only for the entrepreneur, but also for their neighbours.