Mushrooms, micro-granting and meaningful pathways for rural women in N’Dali, Benin
How much impact can a microgrant of €500 to €750 have? In Agoua village, central Benin, it helped empower young women, strengthen livelihoods and build local leadership through the Fungi for Her Freedom project.
Led by Wilfrid Adjimoti of YPARD Benin, the initiative uses mushroom farming as a low-cost, sustainable livelihood strategy to address poverty, limited land access and climate-related displacement. Mushroom cultivation was chosen because it requires little space, uses locally available agricultural waste and provides quick harvests, making it particularly accessible to women.
The project combined practical mushroom cultivation training, gender justice workshops and peer learning sessions. Participants received micro-farm starter kits and developed the skills, confidence and networks needed to grow their own enterprises.
By placing leadership in the hands of local youth, the initiative strengthens economic opportunities, promotes gender inclusion and demonstrates the untapped potential of mushrooms as a tool for rural development across Sub-Saharan Africa.
Find out more about YPARD here.
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