Background of CARE Pathways Program
Innovative Interventions of the Pathways Program
To achieve its ambitious goals, the CARE Pathways program employs a range of innovative and targeted interventions. These approaches are designed to address the multifaceted challenges faced by women farmers and promote sustainable change:
Focusing on Equality for Women and Girls
Recognizing that hunger disproportionately affects women, the Pathways program places gender equality at the heart of its strategy. By utilizing a dedicated women’s empowerment framework, CARE ensures its interventions actively build equality by focusing on three key dimensions: agency, structures, and relations. This comprehensive approach guarantees that programs are designed to truly empower women within their specific contexts.
Farmers’ Field and Business Schools
A cornerstone of the Pathways program is the implementation of Farmers’ Field and Business Schools (FFBS). This experiential learning model prioritizes farmers as central figures in the learning process. Beyond agricultural techniques, the FFBS curriculum incorporates crucial sessions on nutrition, effective marketing strategies, and the importance of gender equality. This holistic education equips farmers with a diverse skillset for sustainable success.
Push-Pull Approaches
The Pathways program utilizes “Push-Pull” approaches, a dynamic model designed to facilitate sustainable poverty reduction. This method focuses on enhancing participants’ skills and assets (“push”) while simultaneously connecting them to viable markets (“pull”). By building capacity and creating market linkages, this approach ensures long-term economic empowerment.
Participatory Performance Tracker
To ensure program effectiveness and community ownership, the Pathways program incorporates a Participatory Performance Tracker. This valuable tool empowers communities to actively assess the changes resulting from the program and collaboratively decide on the necessary next steps. This participatory approach fosters accountability and ensures that the program remains responsive to local needs and evolving circumstances.
Engaging Men and Boys
Recognizing that gender equality is a shared responsibility, the Pathways program actively engages men and boys. Through a dedicated framework, the program facilitates critical conversations about the benefits of more equitable relationships for all members of the community. This inclusive approach promotes shared understanding and fosters collaborative progress towards gender equality.
Building Climate Resilience
With the support of the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, CARE is proactively integrating climate resilience into all aspects of the Pathways program. This critical focus ensures that the agricultural and livelihood skills imparted are robust and adaptable to the increasing challenges of climate change. By equipping communities with the tools to withstand unpredictable agricultural conditions, the program safeguards long-term sustainability and impact.
Significant Program Achievements
The CARE Pathways program has demonstrably achieved significant results through its integrated approach. By implementing improved agricultural methods, establishing Farmers’ Field and Business Schools, introducing modern marketing techniques, and delivering essential education on nutrition and equality, CARE and participating communities have generated substantial positive change. A key indicator of this success is the remarkable $31 return on every $1 invested, a figure validated through evaluations conducted in Ghana, Mali, and Malawi since the program’s inception. This impressive return highlights the program’s effectiveness in driving economic growth and fostering sustainable development within communities.
