Groundswell International

Across the world, women farmers sustain our global food supply - they produce up to 80% of food in developing countries and represent about half of the agricultural workforce. Yet, they face violence, land grabs, debt, and systemic barriers to resources, all while being more vulnerable to poverty, displacement, and hunger.? ?? But time and again, women continue to overcome systemic barriers to strengthen their livelihoods and communities, demonstrating remarkable resilience. ?? Tindano Pobarou is one of these women. When violence struck her village in Burkina Faso, she was forced to flee her home with her nine children. She then arrived in the town of Fada, where our partner ANSD helps vulnerable communities improve their livelihoods through agroecology. There, she gained access to three essential resources to lead her own recovery and start a new life from scratch:? ?? ?? Land: A plot in the local community agroecological garden to grow food to nourish her family, and sell surplus at local markets.? ?? Tools: Farming equipment to sustain her crops and income.? ?? Collective power: Spaces for women to organize, make decisions, and support each other. True change comes from equipping women with autonomy.?As authoritarian regimes, political oppression and systemic injustice escalate worldwide, investing in community-led solutions to support women is more urgent than ever. We’re committed to standing with women farmers, ensuring they have the support systems to strengthen their autonomy and uplift their communities.? ?? Read the full story: https://lnkd.in/gZE_iNTz #IWD25 #womenfarmers

We’re thrilled to announce our new partnerships with the Center for Ecological Agriculture and Livelihoods (CEAL) and Urbanet Ghana—two local organizations dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers, advancing agroecology, and building resilient communities in northern Ghana. CEAL and Urbanet bring deep local expertise and a shared vision of strengthening agroecological food systems in West Africa while improving the well-being of vulnerable communities. Together, we will: ??Expand access to agroecological farming training and resources for smallholder farmers. ??Amplify women and youth leadership in building sustainable food systems. ??Promote policies and practices that improve food security and climate resilience. ??Strengthen local networks for knowledge sharing and community-driven solutions. Learn more about each organization and their important work ?? https://lnkd.in/dq-d5Hg5

In Guatemala and Honduras, strategic grain reserves and seed banks have become a concrete response to climate uncertainty, price speculation, and the loss of arable land. These systems ensure food availability in times of scarcity, strengthen rural communities’ autonomy, and reduce dependence on external markets. How are these initiatives being consolidated? What strategies are proving effective in these regions? In a recent knowledge-exchange gathering held by our partners in Honduras, organizations and farmers exchanged experiences on seed conservation, storage methods, and the development of resilient food production and supply systems. Learn more about these processes and their impact: Read in Spanish: https://lnkd.in/gVvekxPm Read in English: https://lnkd.in/gQm5xzsq ???This initiative was made possible with the support of Citi Foundation

In a small town in Burkina Faso, dedicated young farmers and pioneers of small-scale vegetable farming explain in this short film how simple practices turned modest fields into a lifeline, allowing youth to earn a steady income and support their communities amid an escalating food and insecurity crisis. ?? Produced in collaboration with our local partner, Association Nourrir Sans Détruire (ANSD), this film is part of Groundswell International's Youth Storyteller Program. Through this initiative, rural and Indigenous youth from smallholder farming communities document agroecological solutions transforming landscapes and livelihoods from the ground up. ??Watch now (in French with English and Spanish subtitles):

Set in the culturally rich region of Oaxaca, this film explores how the Mestizo community is preserving ancestral farming knowledge. In sharing her community’s practices such as safeguarding Indigenous seeds, the producer Rebecca highlights how honoring this knowledge can build resilience to climate change and help youth reconnect with nature. ?? Produced in collaboration with our local partner, El Centro de Desarrollo Comunitario (Centéotl), this film is part of Groundswell International's Youth Storyteller Program, where rural and Indigenous youth from smallholder farming communities learn to document agroecological solutions transforming landscapes and livelihoods from the ground up. ??Watch now (in Spanish with English and French subtitles):?

Pulses—like beans, lentils, and chickpeas—are more than just nutritious staples. They are powerful allies in the fight for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable agriculture. In honor of World Pulses Day, watch this video from our Youth Storytellers in Guatemala. ??The Milpa System: ancestral agroecological practices in Guatemala This short film takes us into the rich agricultural heritage of the Maya Achí Indigenous people in Baja Verapaz, Guatemala. It highlights an ancestral cultivation system known as milpa, a sustainable and biodiverse practice interweaving corn, beans, and squash. Featuring voices from the community in their native language, the film showcases their commitment to preserving indigenous seeds, promoting agroecological techniques, and fostering food sovereignty, with women as guardians of their cultural legacy. This video was produced as part of Groundswell International's Youth Storyteller Program - a program where rural and Indigenous youth from smallholder farmer communities learn to document agroecological solutions being built from the ground up, transforming landscapes and livelihoods. #WorldPulsesDay #agroecology

Indigenous Farming Systems: A Blueprint for Climate Resilience ?? In the face of escalating climate challenges, indigenous farming systems offer invaluable lessons for building resilience and sustainability. Rooted in generations of local knowledge, these methods prioritize biodiversity, soil health, and water conservation—key principles for adapting to climate change. In Ecuador, communities supported by Groundswell International and partners like EkoRural are revitalizing traditional practices, such as mixed cropping and agroforestry, to combat drought and ensure food security. These time-tested systems not only restore ecosystems but also empower farmers to thrive in an uncertain future. The ongoing work: Scaling Indigenous farming techniques is not about replicating fixed solutions but spreading fundamental principles and strategies tailored to local contexts. EkoRural fosters viable models that inspire and can be adapted by others. These practices reach broader audiences through networks like the Agroecology Collective and Groundswell International. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ebRc9Ua8 #IndigenousKnowledge #ClimateResilience #Agroecology #GroundswellInternational #SustainableFarming

In this fiction film, youth from Concepción de María, Choluteca, Honduras, share their perspective on the urgent need to protect their community from the threats of mining, and call on viewers to understand the risks and support community-led efforts to preserve their land and well-being. ?? Produced in collaboration with our local partner, Asociación de Comités Ecológicos del Sur de Honduras (ACESH), this film is part of Groundswell International's Youth Storyteller Program, where rural and Indigenous youth from smallholder farming communities learn to document agroecological solutions transforming landscapes and livelihoods from the ground up. ??Watch now (in Spanish with English and French subtitles):

In Honduras, the Blessed Women’s Group is leading a movement of resilience and hope in the Dry Corridor, one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in Central America. Supported by Groundswell International and Vecinos Honduras, these women are adopting agroecological practices to combat drought, restore degraded land, and ensure food security for their families. Through collaboration, they’ve created thriving gardens, cultivated native crops, and inspired others to embrace sustainable farming. Their dedication is a powerful example of how women-led initiatives are transforming communities and fostering resilience in the face of climate change.

This short film documents the transformative impact of the NGO PDL on Haitian farmers. Set against the backdrop of a nation facing persistent challenges, the film underscores the importance of community-led solutions in fostering resilience and hope. ?? Produced in collaboration with our local partner, Partenariat pour le Développement Local (PDL), this film is part of Groundswell International's Youth Storyteller Program, where rural and Indigenous youth from smallholder farming communities learn to document agroecological solutions transforming landscapes and livelihoods from the ground up. ??Watch now (in Haitian Creole with English and French subtitles):