Rebuilding life in Burundi

This project responds to serious socio-economic challenges affecting vulnerable populations in Cankuzo and Ruyigi provinces, Burundi. These areas are characterized by widespread poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity, exacerbated by limited economic opportunities and poor access to credit. Burundi has faced repeated crises that undermined stability and development. The civil war and 2015 unrest caused over 300,000 deaths and mass displacement. Ranked 187th of 191 (HDI 2023), Burundi has the world’s lowest GNI per capita. Around 1.5 million people need aid, mainly for food and protection. Cankuzo and Ruyigi alone host over 201,000 people in need, including 47,000 returnees and 20,000 IDPs. Social cohesion is strained by political tensions and land conflicts, as returnees often find their property occupied. Land access is vital: 70% of legal disputes concern land. Women, though 55% of the workforce, are disproportionately affected by poverty and asset loss due to weak rights.

Burundi is one of the world’s most fragile countries, affected by decades of conflict, political instability, and poverty. Refugees, returnees, IDPs, and host communities face major challenges in meeting basic needs and building livelihoods. Poor infrastructure, lack of schools and healthcare, fuel shortages, and restrictive currency controls worsen the crisis. Access to credit is another barrier,interest rates often exceed 20%, making loans inaccessible for vulnerable families. Our project is based on the belief that targeted, community-led interventions with technical training and support can drive lasting impact. We aim to equip communities with skills and resources to create income, foster social cohesion, and build resilience. Despite urgent needs, international presence is minimal. Few NGOs operate locally, and foreign investment is scarce.

1. Creating Cooperatives After consultations with local authorities, beneficiaries are selected based on shared vulnerability criteria and organized into formal cooperatives. Members receive vocational training (agriculture, livestock, business) and productive assets (tools, small livestock). Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) are formed to promote financial inclusion, each group trained and equipped for self-managed savings and lending. Cooperatives receive ongoing support until sustainable, able to offer internal loans and formally registered. 2. Community Microprojects 14 priority microprojects are identified and implemented via inclusive roundtables and cash-for-work, with technical supervision. 3. Conflict & Human Rights Training is provided on mediation, rights, and gender equality. Mediators receive materials and guidance. Protection services are mapped; community events promote dialogue and cohesion.

We collaborate on the ground with LWF Burundi – World Service, which has been active in the country since 2006 and brings solid experience in the fields of livelihoods, protection, and social cohesion. LWF Burundi’s work is anchored in a broad network of collaboration with institutional and community stakeholders, including the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MINEAGRIE), the National Agency for Cooperatives (ANACOOP), and the National Seed Certification Office (ONCCS), along with numerous civil society organizations: AFAPD: peace and development organization targeting women. FVS-AMADE: local organization promoting child protection and economic empowerment of vulnerable families National Women's Forum: A national institution working to promote women's rights. Provincial section of the General Directorate of Repatriation Committees for hill community development BPMCA: Provincial Office of Cooperative and Associative Movements. CDFC: Family and Community Development Centers.

The project aims to create sustainable livelihoods based on beneficiaries’ choices, supporting cooperatives and income-generating activities through training, tools, and access to resources. In the short term, participants will acquire relevant skills (e.g. in agriculture or trade), form cooperatives, and launch productive initiatives. In the medium term, 14 community microprojects will foster collaboration between returnees, IDPs, and host populations, reinforcing social cohesion. Conflict prevention and rights awareness will be strengthened through trained local mediators and protection mapping. Measurable outputs include the number of trained individuals, active cooperatives, functioning VSLAs, and implemented microprojects. Direct benefits include improved income, social inclusion, and local leadership. In the long term, the project will contribute to reduced economic vulnerability, peaceful coexistence, and greater community resilience, especially for women and marginalized groups

The project stands out for its participatory and sustainability-focused approach. Beneficiaries choose their training paths and co-design cooperatives and microprojects based on real needs, ensuring ownership and relevance. Support goes beyond start-up: cooperatives receive structured accompaniment toward autonomy, formal registration, and access to institutional support. VSLAs promote financial inclusion and local capital circulation. Once self-sufficient, cooperatives reinvest profits to replicate the model, triggering community-led growth. This cycle ensures long-term impact and local resilience. Our organization combines field-based experience in fragile contexts with deep community ties, a skilled local team, and a track record in livelihoods, peacebuilding, and grassroots engagement. Foundations can trust our grounded, inclusive methodology and proven capacity to deliver lasting results in underserved areas.