Project profile — SHINE

• Ethiopia (50.00%)
• Ghana (50.00%)

• Agricultural water resources:
Agricultural water resources (31140) (20.00%)
Food crop production (31161) (50.00%)
Agricultural financial services (31193) (20.00%)
Agricultural co-operatives (31194) (10.00%)

• Environmental sustainability (cross-cutting) (significant objective)
• Gender equality (significant objective)
• Nutrition (significant objective)
• Climate Change Adaptation (significant objective)

The Sustainable Development, Human Rights, Inclusion and Equality (SHINE) project aims to enhance the empowerment of women and girls through implementation of sustainable agriculture and agribusiness related activities in targeted districts in Ethiopia and Ghana. SHINE will empower women and girls to increase yields in agricultural production, improve their income through access to agri-business opportunities, and increase recognition of their contribution to their household and local economies. Building on lessons learned under the GAC- funded Resilient Sustainable Livelihoods Transformation (RESULT) and Market-Led Improved Livelihoods in Eastern Amhara Region (MILEAR) projects, SHINE will scale up empowerment of women and girls through increased vegetable production using small scale irrigation and increase incomes through agri-business incubation. It will economically empower 8000 households or approximately 24,000 vulnerable, small holder farmers (70% women and girls). The project will work with a technical partner, the African Agribusiness Incubation Network (AAIN) and be implemented in partnership with Trade Aid Integrated in Ghana and the Organization for Child Development and Transformation (CHADET) in Ethiopia.

The expected outcomes of the project include: (1) increased agency of women and girls in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness related activities; and (2) improved access to economic opportunities for women and girls in sustainable agriculture and agribusiness.

Results achieved at the end of the project (March 2025): include: (1) the number of smallholder farmers who reported increased sustainable food production rose from 20% (164 out of 804) to 63% (47out of 750). The number of farmers reporting an increase in agribusiness-based income also increased, from 40% (322 out of 8,040) to 80% (602 out of 750); (2) established 50 village savings and loans associations in Ghana (1,206 members) and 40 established in Ethiopia (800 members). These associations provide loans for farming, agri-business, school fees, and emergency funds; (3) provided 93 small-holder farmers and entrepreneurs (65 women and 28 men) agri-business mentorship to improve their skills related to costing products, record-keeping, and negotiations; and (4) amended by-laws in Ghana to support women in agribusiness, including reduced land registration costs and protections against land interference, such as herds destroying crops.

• Proactive disclosure