Once hailed as the environment’s hero, a synthetic alternative to natural resources like ivory and tortoiseshell, among others, plastic has now become a major environmental villain. Environmentally speaking, it’s one of the greatest paradoxes of our times. Qualities like its durability and versatility have also led to its persistence in landfills and our oceans, causing immense harm now and into the future. While plastic revolutionized industries and fueled advancements, indiscriminate use and ineffective waste management systems have brought us to a point where we need to make some hard choic ..read more

Situated just off of a bustling street in Nampula, Mozambique, lies a small bakery. Outside, the warm air is filled with the sound of motorbikes and the excited chatter of people selling goods. Inside, away from all the commotion, 35-year-old Lúcia Sigauque deftly swirls layers of white icing onto a vanilla cake.  A New Beginning as a Woman Entrepreneur For Lúcia, starting a bakery in 2020 represented a new beginning. After being let go from another job, she needed to find a new source of income but didn’t know what to do next. So, when a local organization offered her the opportunity to ..read more

What is a Ripple Effect in Reducing Poverty?   When I joined TechnoServe in October 2019 to lead our digital marketing and fundraising efforts, I remember hearing the term “ripple effect” frequently in conversations about our work. It applies to what we do in many ways. What is a Ripple Effect? A ripple effect is the continuing and spreading results of an event or action.  The smallest ripple begins when we work with a farmer or small business owner, and she starts to earn a better income. She changes her life and often spends the additional income on her family. The ripple ex ..read more

TechnoServe’s April 2024 Photo of the Month features clients’ stories championing the environment while building better livelihoods. This month, we introduce you to the stories of individuals in Ethiopia, Malawi, and Mexico whose efforts support their economic future and foster environmental sustainability.  Discover three examples of environmental initiatives led by TechnoServe’s clients, then vote for your favorite photo.  Halima’s Work for the Environment and Against Pollution in Addis Ababa Halima Awol standing at her collection center in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (TechnoServe) In A ..read more

Fueling Women’s Economic Opportunity in Mozambique Millions of women in the Global South lack access to a savings account, a credit line, or digital financial services. TechnoServe builds strategic partnerships with local financial institutions like M-Pesa and AfricaWorks to address this challenge.  By conducting market research, offering tailored training, and supporting the design of gender-focused financial products, our Women in Business (WIN) program in Mozambique created mutual benefits for women and the financial sector alike. What’s the impact of investing in financial inclusion f ..read more

Today we’re sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the daily activities of Érica Muarramuassa, a TechnoServe associate business advisor in Mozambique. Associate business advisors are responsible for identifying, recruiting, and training entrepreneurs – the clients of the program. They facilitate workshops, networking among entrepreneurs,  and mentoring sessions in business skills, financial literacy, and gender awareness. To do so, associate business advisors work closely with local communities, women and youth entrepreneurs, and public and private sector partners. Read on to learn more abou ..read more

Felistus Issangya, a forward-thinking entrepreneur, noticed a troubling trend in Tanzanian cities. Obesity rates across the country were rising due to limited healthy snack options. Inspired by the World Health Organization’s data, she saw a business opportunity that would also empower local communities and smallholder farmers, especially women. In 2016, Felistus started Feda Foods, a company with a mission to revolutionize the snack industry in Tanzania. Today, Feda Foods provides nutritious snacks made from locally sourced nuts like cashews, peanuts, and almonds. The company’s business model ..read more

Are you an informed global citizen? Test your knowledge of current events with TechnoServe’s March 2024 world news quiz. March 2024 News Quiz Recent military victories by Ukraine helped re-open the Black Sea to which of the country’s main exports? Sunflowers Grain Oil Copper International Women’s Day was March 8. If all gender gaps were eliminated in the world’s workforce, by how much would global GDP improve? 33% 20% 15% 8% West and Central Africa experienced what kind of disruption on March 14? Tornadoes Youth protests Internet outages Severe flooding The U.N. issued its annual ..read more

In an era when the clarion call for environmental preservation resonates louder than ever, the words of Rachel Carson, a pioneering American biologist whose seminal work, ‘Silent Spring,’ awakened the world to the dangers of environmental pollution, echo profoundly. Carson’s assertion that “man is a part of nature, and his war against nature is inevitably a war against himself” has never been more relevant. It underscores the intricate bond between humanity and the natural world. This perspective resonates in the words of Barack Obama, who poignantly remarked, “We are the first generation to f ..read more

7 International Development Terms to Know in 2024 1. COP29 Each year, heads of state, scientists, advocates, and nonprofits like TechnoServe gather at the world’s most important event dedicated to the fight against climate change: the Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, better known as COP. This year’s edition, COP29, will take place from November 11 to 24 in Baku, Azerbaijan.  Building on the key outcomes from last year’s COP28, the meeting will be critical to ensuring that farmers, small business owners, and other vulnerable community ..read more