Empowering women through enterprise in Burkina Faso and Nicaragua
When: May 7th 2026 at 3:30pm
Where: Zoom (Online)
Event Summary
Learn more about our two new projects; shea nut value addition in Burkina Faso, and organic vegetable production in Nicaragua
Last year, Shared Interest Foundation supported 916 female farmers and artisans through projects designed to empower women to increase their income, build new skills and strengthen their economic resilience through enterprise development.
On Thursday 7th of May, we hosted a webinar to explore the impact of two of these projects; shea nut value addition in Burkina Faso, and soilless, organic vegetable production in Nicaragua. During the event, we explored key themes including value addition, income diversification and women’s empowerment.
We were delighted to be joined in conversation with Jaime Gutierrez, a Horticultural Technical Advisor and the co-ordinator of our soilless farming project with Sacaclí in Nicaragua.
Alongside Jaime, the event was hosted by Kodzo Korkortsi, Shared Interest Foundation Manager, Harriet Urwin, Foundation Development Officer and Emma Claridge, Grants and Trusts Fundraiser. The event concluded with a question-and-answer session between attendees and the panel.
Couldn't make it to the event? You can watch the recording of the webinar on our YouTube channel.
Project Details
Project 1: Enhancing women’s livelihoods by increasing the economic value of shea
In Samoghohiri, rural Burkina Faso, this project is supporting 151 women to produce high value shea butter from raw shea nuts using mechanised processing methods. This enterprise is creating a sustainable source of income, supporting community development and strengthening household security.
Click here to visit our dedicated project page for more information about this initiative.
Project 2: Empowering women through vegetable cultivation
Delivered in partnership with coffee co-operative Sacaclí located in Jinotega northern Nicaragua, this project has supported 40 women to produce cherry tomatoes and chilli peppers using innovative semi-hydroponic farming methods. This approach enables year-round production, leading to increased incomes for female producers.
Click here to visit our dedicated project page for more information about this initiative.
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