Partnerships that leave communities strong, self-reliant, and resilient have been at the core of the work of Groundswell International and its partners in West Africa. A key part of this work is training field teams to facilitate community-led approaches and strategies to scale agroecology, combining learnings from different countries. Earlier this year, member organizations from Burkina Faso and Ghana participated in a series of trainings and pilot programs aimed at helping communities … [Read more...] about Scaling Agroecology in West Africa with Community-Led Agroecology Committees: Lessons for Facilitators
West Africa
How a Young Agriculture Student in Burkina Faso Turned Passion into Purpose
'In the heart of every young person lies the potential for greatness' Unknown In many rural African communities, youth are often perceived as detached from agriculture—more drawn to city life and office jobs than farming or community-based livelihoods. This perception partially reflects a reality: youth still see conventional farming as labor-intensive, poorly paid, and lacking dignity, and the lack of jobs in rural areas pushes many to leave their home in search of opportunities … [Read more...] about How a Young Agriculture Student in Burkina Faso Turned Passion into Purpose
Partner Impact: Sahel Eco Empowering Farmers and Driving Agroecology in Mali
In 2024, our partner Sahel Eco helped drive a farmer-led transition to agroecology in Mali across the Ségou region. Working closely with local communities, they supported efforts to restore degraded land, strengthen food sovereignty, create spaces for women to lead powerful initiatives, and offer young people tangible, hopeful alternatives for a more secure future. The Sahelian context The Sahel is one of the poorest regions of the world. Stretching across Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, … [Read more...] about Partner Impact: Sahel Eco Empowering Farmers and Driving Agroecology in Mali
Expanding Agroecology in West Africa: Welcoming CEAL and Urbanet as New Partners in Ghana
We are thrilled to announce two new partnerships in Ghana that will strengthen our collective network impact: the Center for Ecological Agriculture and Livelihoods (CEAL) and Urbanet. These local organizations share our commitment to empowering smallholder farmers, advancing agroecology, and building resilient communities. By joining forces, we aim to extend the support available to those most affected by poverty, food insecurity, and climate change in Northern Ghana, and pool learnings … [Read more...] about Expanding Agroecology in West Africa: Welcoming CEAL and Urbanet as New Partners in Ghana
Displaced Women Farmers in Burkina Faso: Symbols of Courage Amid Rising Violence
Sixty-four-year-old Tindano Pobarou, a mother of nine (five daughters and four sons), lived a peaceful life in the village of Bassieri. But one night, at 3 AM, she was forced to flee her home as armed groups attacked her village. She and her family crossed multiple dangerous regions with little time to prepare, and life as she knew it was turned upside down. The land she cultivated, the home she built, and the security she once had were gone. Yet, Pobarou refused to give up. She kept crossing … [Read more...] about Displaced Women Farmers in Burkina Faso: Symbols of Courage Amid Rising Violence
How Penda Turned a Dumping Ground into an Agroecological Urban Farm in Senegal
It's April. The temperature hovers at 104F (40°C). The ground feels hot beneath our feet, the wind is dry, and the air is heavy. Half-built buildings with brick and concrete walls line narrow sandy streets, where women stride with heads held high and shoulders back, balancing fruit baskets atop their heads. The sky isn't as gray as in downtown Thiès or Dakar, but pollution still lingers, with faint smells of burning waste. Baobab trees, their branches bare, and a few thorny bushes are the only … [Read more...] about How Penda Turned a Dumping Ground into an Agroecological Urban Farm in Senegal