Project description
A co-led initiative across two provinces puts women-led sanitary-pad production at the center of livelihoods and community health. Nurseries, seed banks, agroforestry and practical vocational training connect ecosystem restoration with income and skills.
Explore the community context, existing work and development plans described by the project.
Project Overview
This project is a community-led initiative in Mozambique designed to address extreme poverty, limited access to basic health services, environmental degradation, and lack of economic opportunities for women and youth.
The initiative integrates women-led sanitary pad production, agroforestry and ecosystem restoration, vocational training, and community health support systems to improve livelihoods, strengthen resilience, and restore local ecosystems.
By combining income-generating activities with environmental restoration and community health services, the project provides a practical pathway toward improved well-being, economic stability, and sustainable resource management.
Back to sections ↑Location and Leadership
- Country: Mozambique
- Regions: East & South
- Provinces: Manica & Maputo
- District: Chimoio
- Communities: Susundenga and Matutuine (Machangulo)
- Project Lead: Children Education in Biodiversity Conservation
- Project managers: Mufudzi Junior; Zito Bande
Community Context
Communities in the project areas face significant socio-economic challenges, including extreme poverty, limited access to education, and inadequate healthcare, water, and sanitation services.
Households are typically large, often consisting of 8 to 10 members, and rely on subsistence agriculture and small-scale informal businesses that do not provide sufficient income for basic needs.
Early marriage rates are high, particularly affecting girls’ education and long-term opportunities. Women and youth face limited access to employment and training opportunities, and menstrual hygiene management remains a challenge due to lack of affordable products.
This project responds to these challenges by providing integrated solutions that combine livelihood development, health support, and environmental restoration.
Back to sections ↑Ecological and Economic Context
The region includes agricultural landscapes, forests, and wetland ecosystems, which are under pressure from unsustainable practices.
Key environmental challenges include:
- deforestation and charcoal production
- water contamination
- overfishing
- biodiversity loss
The local economy is primarily based on:
- subsistence agriculture
- fishing
- small-scale trade
Despite these challenges, the region has strong potential for:
- agroforestry systems
- ecosystem restoration
- community-based enterprises
Project Components
Women-Led Enterprise
- Establishment of sanitary pad production units
- Creation of income-generating opportunities for women
- Improved access to menstrual hygiene products
Agroforestry and Ecosystem Restoration
- Establishment of community nurseries and seed banks
- Tree planting and restoration of degraded land
- Conservation of biodiversity and natural resources
Community Health Systems
- Support for access to basic healthcare services
- Collaboration with local government health institutions
- Integration of menstrual hygiene and health education
Vocational Training
Training programs for youth and community members in:
- small business development (e.g., beekeeping)
- English language training
- ICT and digital literacy
- entrepreneurship and cooperative management
Business and Livelihood Support
- Distribution of business kits
- Support for micro-enterprise development
- Strengthening of local economic activities
Beneficiaries and Impact
Direct Beneficiaries:
- Women engaged in sanitary pad production and enterprise
- Youth participating in vocational training
- Community members accessing services
Indirect Beneficiaries:
- Schools and institutions
- Local farmers and households
- Surrounding communities
Sustainability Framework
Social Impact
- Improved access to menstrual hygiene products
- Increased participation of women and youth
- Improved access to basic services
- Strengthened community well-being
Environmental Impact
- Agroforestry development and tree planting
- Ecosystem restoration and biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable use of natural resources
Economic Impact
- Women-led enterprise development
- Seedling production and agricultural value chains
- Skills training leading to employment
- Growth of small-scale businesses
Strategic Role and Scalability
This project serves as a regional model for combining enterprise development with ecosystem restoration and community health systems.
It has the potential to:
- expand women-led enterprise networks
- support regional restoration initiatives
- strengthen community-based training systems
- contribute to broader development platforms across Mozambique
Partnerships and Collaboration Needs
Key areas of support include:
- technical assistance for enterprise systems
- agroforestry and nursery development expertise
- collaboration with local government health services
- training and curriculum development
- enterprise and cooperative management support
Community Governance
The project is led by Children Education in Biodiversity Conservation in collaboration with:
- women’s groups
- youth organizations
- farmers
- schools and local government institutions
Participants will receive training in:
- enterprise development
- agroforestry practices
- cooperative management
- entrepreneurship and financial literacy
Integration Within Broader Framework
This initiative aligns with the Collaborative for Change – LCPA framework by integrating:
- environmental restoration
- community health systems
- women-led enterprise
- vocational training
It contributes to broader efforts to build sustainable, community-led development systems across regions.
Back to sections ↑