Trócaire empowers families to recover and rebuild in communities in South Sudan

As Trócaire’s three-year UK Aid Match project comes to a close, families in South Sudan have renewed resilience after years of conflict and climate-related challenges.

With funds raised through their 2021 Lent appeal, Trócaire has supported families to grow and sell their own food, access clean water, strengthen their livelihoods and psychologically recover from effects of country-wide conflict. Women in particular have taken on more active roles in their communities, gaining valuable business and leadership skills.

Meet Mary

A mother of nine children, Mary lives in a community frequently affected by climate crises, such as floods and droughts, which ruin her crops. Tradition farming methods no longer provide enough food for her family, and she struggles to meet their daily needs.

Through the project, Mary has received agricultural training in modern farming techniques and been provided with seeds and tools to put her new skills into practice. Programme staff visit her regularly to offer hands-on-support, and her farm is now thriving, with improvements in planting, soil management and water conservation.

“Since the start of the project, my farming skills have improved, and my harvest, especially groundnuts and sorghum, has increased. Now I can sell a surplus and keep my children in school without struggle.” Mary.

Community handpumps have also been rehabilitated, providing safe and reliable water for the first time in years. This has reduced water-borne diseases and eased the burden on women and girls, who previously had to walk long distances to collect water.

Photograph: Mary and her children harvesting their groundnut crop

Mary has also joined a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), where she’s learnt how to save, borrow and manage money. The VSLA’s provide safe, supportive spaces where women like Mary can build confidence, share ideas and lean on each other. Mary’s group has created a social support fund to pay for school fees for orphaned children in their community, a powerful example of how women’s empowerment can create wider community impact.

“I didn’t know anything about saving before, but now, I save every week and take small loans to pay school fees for my six school-going children.” Mary.

Beyond farming and finance, the project has also established ‘Women and Girls’ Safe Spaces’ where participants can access psychosocial support and life-skills sessions. Here, Mary learns about gender equality and how to advocate for herself and others. In a country where insecurity and displacement can put women and girls at heighted risk of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), these spaces also serve as vital lifelines, supporting survivors to regain confidence and a sense of safety.

“I used to be quiet about my struggles, but I have confidence now to talk about my rights, and I support other women to know theirs too.” Mary.

Photograph: Mary in her community

Learn more about Trocaire’s project.

As ActionAid’s three-year UK Aid Match project comes to a close, communities in four provinces of Cambodia (Kampot, Koh Kong, Kampong Thom and Pursat) are becoming more climate resilient and women are leading advocacy efforts to demand climate justice and gender equality.

In Cambodia, farming and fishing are often vital sources of income for many communities, but the growing impacts of climate change such as frequent droughts, floods and storms, are threatening their livelihoods. Women in particular face ongoing challenges with less access to education, tools and information that would help them deal with climate crises.

With funds raised through their UK Aid Match appeal in 2021, ActionAid’s She is the Answer project has supported Women Champion Networks (WCNs) who are equipping their communities with tools, knowledge and resilience to adapt to climate change, manage disaster risk and advocate for their rights.

Photograph: Natt, who received training in agroecology and now runs her own environmentally sustainable, climate resilient farm. Credit: ActionAid Cambodia.

Women Champion Networks

Initial project activities included setting up four WCNs with 117 women champions selected to drive local climate and disaster resilience efforts. The networks have led practical initiatives such as road improvements, tree planting, and mangrove planting to reduce flooding, boost biodiversity, and improve fish stocks.

In Koh Kong, the networks have supported farmers to set up a coconut husk fertiliser business, an innovative production which helps soil retain moisture and improves yields. The process works by mixing coconut husks, rice hulls, cow dung and other organisms to create a protective fertiliser which supports the growth of vegetables and melon seeds.

In Kampot, ActionAid Cambodia and their partner Children and Women Development Centre Cambodia (CWDCC) have supported the networks to set up a resilience market, a women-led enterprise selling natural products grown by local small farmers. The market is open seven days a week and is an opportunity for women farmers to connect with local buyers, gain entrepreneurial experience and earn their own income. Focused on climate-friendly natural products, the community-based market provides a nearby place for the local community to not only sell their products, but to strengthen collaborations and partnerships with other women, businesses, and local authorities.

“I am really happy and satisfied with the start-up of this resilience market. This is the initiative of women champions as a response to the communities’ needs, empowering women in earning their own income, and promoting climate resilience in the communities.” Chan Kanha, leader of the WCN in Kampot.

And in Pursat, a women-led village savings and loan group has been established, allowing members to invest in climate-smart farming tools, diversify their income and create a safety net for climate-related crises.

Meet Chea

A business owner who lives in Pursat with her farmer husband and two sons. Chea used to work abroad in Thailand, while her family back home faced food insecurity and couldn’t afford to send her sons to school. By joining the savings and loan group in Pursat, Chea was able to start a food stall in her village selling papaya, spring rolls, grilled meat, salad and drinks. She now has additional income, is able to support her family and can even buy land. Chea joins many women who have been able to access interest free loans for activities such as raising livestock, starting businesses, or farming rice.

Photograph: Chea cooking for her market stall. Credit: ActionAid Cambodia

Sustainable livelihoods

A key part of the project was increasing awareness and understanding of climate shocks and stresses and how to take action to ensure farmers can protect their livelihoods. Over 400 farming households received training and coaching sessions on agroecological farming techniques. For farmers who raise livestock this training included producing natural feed made from corn, beans and potatoes. And farmers who grow vegetables learnt about crop rotation and producing natural composts. To start their sustainable agricultural practices, farmers were equipped with resources such as chickens, seeds and solar water pumps.

Meet Ramyan

She was selected as a model farmer under the project and participated in chicken farming training and building climate-resilient coops. By adopting these practices she has increased her family’s income and inspires others in the community too.

Photograph: Ramyan feeding her chickens. Credit: ActionAid Cambodia

Women-led advocacy

And finally, the project aimed to elevate the voices of women within their communities. With ActionAid’s support, the WCNs mobilised and engaged government officials on key community issues. They facilitated commune public forums, creating a platform for meaningful dialogue with local authorities. As a result, there is growing recognition among officials of the value women-led networks bring and the need for them to be involved. All communes set up through the project incorporated the networks’ demands into their investment plans, achieving 100% of the project’s target. These plans include infrastructure improvements such as canal and drainage rehabilitation, and creating disaster management committees during emergencies.

These initiatives have been vital in strengthening the voice, agency, and leadership of women in their communities. Women champions are not only creating local change but also gaining national and international recognition. One champion represented her community at the Climate Change Summit in Cambodia, engaging with key national stakeholders. Another received the Women of the Future Award in Singapore in 2024 for her outstanding contributions. With continued support, mentorship, and collaboration, the WCNs can continue to empower communities and flourish, leaving lasting impact and sustainability long after the project ends.

To read more about ActionAid’s project visit their website.

Over the past three-years, the British Asian Trust have been delivering their Driving Women’s Economic Empowerment (DWEE) programme in Pakistan. With £2.2million in match funding from the UK government, the programme has supported over 7,000 women in urban and rural areas of Pakistan, equipping them with knowledge and skills to become financially independent.

For many women from undeserved communities in Pakistan, access to financial independence is limited. Literacy and employment rates, particularly in rural areas, are significantly lower for women than for men and this reduces women’s freedom to make their own choices in life.

Photograph: Women at their business training

Earlier this year, programme participants, partners and supporters came together at an event in Karachi to celebrate the programme’s success. The event was a chance for women to share their stories, such as how they have started their own businesses or gained employment, and are now able to provide for their families.

All women supported through the programme received tailored training and mentorship in areas such as dress making, stitching and graphic design, learning valuable skills to enable them to start their careers or launch their own businesses. This support has opened up new income opportunities while also strengthening their social and economic resilience with 5,000 women reporting an increase in their earnings. 4,000 women have also been contributing at least 10% of their household income, leaving them feeling empowered and valued, and able to make joint decisions on where household funds are spent.

While vocational skills training has been a core element, the programme goes far beyond that. By fostering strong market linkages, encouraging shifts in behaviour change and attitudes, and strengthening local ecosystems, the programme is creating meaningful and sustainable change.

Photograph: Women who have taken part in the project

Meet Sobia and Saba – women who became friends during their beautician course, and are now business partners.

Before joining the programme Sobia was a housewife. Although her husband is employed – he drives an auto-rickshaw  – the family were living on a single income which was hard. Sobia attended a beautician course and business development training to learn how to open a business, maintain a budget and manage expenses. She also attended soft skills training which focused on client communications and management. With tools and confidence gained, she and Saba opened their own beauty salon.

Now, Sobia has bought her husband a new auto-rickshaw, her children attend a better school and are eating well, and she and Saba are proud to say they have the freedom to make their own choices. “We gained confidence because of this and now have the freedom to do as we choose” – Sobia.

Photograph: Saba and Sobia in their salon

The DWEE programme is not only creating financial independence and economic resilience but is inspiring women to realise their potential. By learning from and supporting one another, they are creating a cycle of lasting opportunity and change, paving the way for a stronger, more inclusive future for women in Pakistan.

Watch this impact video to learn more about the programme and learn more about Sobia and Saba’s story.