Livelihoods — Empowering Communities Through Economic Independence
GrowthAid supports vulnerable communities with training, seed capital and market access so individuals can establish sustainable income streams and rebuild resilience.
Current focus:
Agricultural value chains, small business grants, vocational training, and market-linkage facilitation across 6 regions.
What we do
At GrowthAid, we believe that sustainable livelihoods are the foundation of thriving communities. We work to empower individuals especially women and youth with practical skills, entrepreneurial training and access to financial resources that enable them to achieve economic independence and create lasting change in their communities.
Through our livelihoods initiatives, we help transform potential into prosperity by building self-reliant families, resilient communities and a more equitable future for all.
At GrowthAid, we believe that sustainable livelihoods are the foundation of thriving communities. We work to empower individuals especially women and youth with practical skills, entrepreneurial training and access to financial resources that enable them to achieve economic independence and create lasting change in their communities.
Through our livelihoods initiatives, we help transform potential into prosperity by building self-reliant families, resilient communities and a more equitable future for all.
Holistic livelihoods support: skills, finance, markets and mentorship
Our Livelihoods Programs
Skills Training and Capacity Building
We provide comprehensive, hands-on training that equips community members with income-generating skills and business management knowledge. Every participant is supported to turn their new abilities into viable, sustainable enterprises.
Key Focus Areas include:
- Soap and detergent production
- Traditional craft development (basket weaving, beadwork, textiles)
- Pastry and snack production
In regions such as Northern Ghana and the Upper East, GrowthAid has strengthened traditional crafts that have supported families for generations. We connect artisans to profitable markets, introduce modern production methods and encourage cooperative structures that promote shared success.
Farming as a Business
Agriculture remains the backbone of many rural economies. GrowthAid promotes ‘Farming as a Business’, helping smallholder farmers transition from subsistence farming to market-oriented agribusiness.
Our training covers:
- Modern and climate-smart agricultural practices
- Crop diversification and improved seed usage
- Post-harvest management and value addition
- Record keeping, cost-benefit analysis, and market linkages
- Agricultural improvements and farm management
By helping farmers view agriculture as a profitable enterprise, we enhance productivity, food security, and rural incomes while fostering resilience against climate and economic shocks
Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs)
Access to finance is a major barrier to entrepreneurship. GrowthAid addresses this through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), community-led financial groups that encourage saving, lending and investment.
Through VSLAs:
- Members build financial discipline and resilience.
- Women and youth gain access to microloans for business start-ups and expansion.
- Groups foster solidarity and collective growth.
VSLAs have become a cornerstone of our programs, empowering participants especially women entrepreneurs to invest confidently in their livelihoods and futures.
Women’s Economic Empowerment
Women play a vital role in community development. At GrowthAid, we place gender equality and empowerment at the heart of every livelihood intervention.
- Our women-focused initiatives provide:
- Access to training, microcredit, and cooperative networks
- Mentorship in leadership and entrepreneurship
- Safe spaces for women to share ideas and build confidence
At GrowthAid, we believe that when women thrive, entire communities benefit. By empowering women to start and grow businesses, we promote economic justice, household stability and intergenerational progress.
Youth Engagement and School-Based Programs.
To secure a sustainable future, we invest in the potential of young people. GrowthAid’s youth initiatives combine skills development, mentorship and community service, ensuring that young people are both employable and socially responsible.
Youth learn practical trades such as:
- Soap making and food processing
- Vegetable gardening and agripreneurship
- Beadwork, tailoring.
- Basic ICT and digital literacy
These programs not only provide marketable skills but also instill values of innovation, teamwork and community stewardship.
Our Impact
GrowthAid’s livelihood initiatives have reached communities across Ghana from Buenyonye, Gortsonyo, Kpanvo to Tsitsiponya, improving the lives of hundreds of families. We measure success not only in training sessions held but in businesses launched, incomes increased and households lifted out of poverty.
Highlights include:
Women-led soapmaking cooperatives in Kpanvo generating steady household income.
Kpanvo
Youth at Nalerigu gaining Basic skills with our community support initiatives.
NaleriguOur Approach
GrowthAid’s livelihoods work is community-driven and gender-responsive. Every project begins with a needs assessment and a gender analysis to ensure that interventions are locally relevant and inclusive.
We support participants with tools, start-up kits, seeds and access to credit; strengthen market linkages and provide continuous mentorship and field monitoring. By partnering with district assemblies, women’s groups, the Ghana Girl Guides Association and local NGOs, we ensure our programs remain culturally appropriate, equitable and community-owned.
Get Involved: Partner With Us to Create Lasting Change
Your support can help transform lives and expand opportunities for women, youth and families across West and East Africa.
Farmers adopting improved practices, resulting in higher yields and food security.
Bimbagu