Female entrepreneurship combatting poverty in Burundi
Foi en Action (Faith in Action Africa) is a locally led organization in Burundi that works to empower women in vulnerable rural and peri-urban areas. Through a holistic approach, the organisation combines entrepreneurship, community and access to finance to enable women to become self-sufficient and active citizens.
Foi en Action’s main activities are carried out through organised self-help groups where women receive training in entrepreneurship, economics and life skills. A central part of the work is the organisation’s solidarity funding model, which gives women access to start-up capital through joint savings and loans within the group. In parallel, women’s leadership, self-confidence and role in family and society are strengthened. Through this work, Foi en Action counteracts economic vulnerability, injustice and social exclusion.
With the support of Social Initiative, Foi en Action will further develop and scale up its work with self-help groups in the Muhuta and Mugere regions under this partnership. Over five years, the organisation will organise and support 200 groups with a total of approximately 4,000 participants, the majority of whom are women.
Social Initiatives’ support enables training, coaching and access to solidarity funding to enable more women to start and run viable income-generating businesses. The partnership also contributes to Foi en Action’s long-term goal of strengthening women’s economic empowerment and creating sustainable change for families and communities in Burundi.
