Across the globe, community-based organisations (CBOs) are at the forefront of driving change where it matters most. These grassroots initiatives, deeply embedded in the communities they serve, tackle pressing challenges with a level of cultural and contextual understanding that larger institutions often struggle to achieve.
The challenge of mindset change in smallholder farming
At Itanya Africa Group, we have grappled with a fundamental question: How do we encourage smallholder farmers to implement new practices, particularly those that require little to no financial investment but promise long-term benefits? Last December, we launched our vertical garden intervention, building on prior capacity-building sessions on composting and regenerative agriculture. However, despite our training efforts, farmers were slow to implement composting on their farms.
The turning point came when we applied the principle of social proofing. We identified a respected community influencer—the chairlady of a self-help group—and introduced vertical gardens at her home. Soon, other women in the village took notice, and demand surged. In fact, they were willing to contribute 10% of the cost for their own vertical gardens, a sign that the intervention resonated with them. Yet, a challenge remains: how do we replicate this model for composting? Unlike vertical gardens, composting lacks immediate visibility, making it harder for farmers to see the benefits firsthand. The question now is: What incentives will drive adoption?
Eugene Kaiga
The role of CBOs in addressing systemic barriers
This experience highlights a core strength of CBOs: deep community engagement and adaptive problem-solving. Unlike large-scale organisations that implement top-down solutions, we work within the social fabric of the community, testing and refining strategies that resonate with local realities. However, for CBOs like Itanya to continue this work, we need sustainable funding.
Despite their ability to drive impactful change, most CBOs lack consistent financial support. They are often overlooked by major funding institutions in favor of larger, internationally recognised NGOs. This funding gap means that CBOs must rely on volunteers, limiting the scale and speed of interventions that could transform entire communities.
Investing in CBOs: A all to Action
If we want to see real, scalable impact in rural development, we must prioritise funding for CBOs. These organisations are not only implementing change but are also shaping long-term behavioural shifts—something that cannot be achieved through one-time interventions. With greater financial support, CBOs can scale successful models, conduct deeper follow-ups, and refine approaches to ensure lasting transformation.
Your support can help:
- Expand access to vertical gardens and water pans, providing food security for more families.
- Develop strategies to incentivise composting and other regenerative practices as well as syntropic agroforestry.
- Train more local influencers to accelerate mindset change and adoption of sustainable practices.
By investing in CBOs, we are not just funding projects—we are empowering communities to lead their own transformation. Learn more about how you can support Itanya Africa Group and drive sustainable, farmer-led change. Learn more here.