Deadline: 26-Feb-2026

The World Food Programme (WFP), in collaboration with FAO and UNICEF, is implementing an integrated livelihoods and food security initiative in Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of Congo. The project targets smallholder farmers and vulnerable households, addressing food insecurity, malnutrition, financial inclusion, and community resilience.

Overview of the Initiative

The initiative aims to enhance food security, nutrition, and socio-economic resilience in Kasai Province through integrated interventions. Key partners include WFP, FAO, and UNICEF, focusing on nutrition-sensitive value chains, protection, and community development.

Key Focus Areas

Food Security and Livelihoods

• Support smallholder farmers in sustainable, nutrition-sensitive production and marketing

• Strengthen market access and value chain development

• Promote financial inclusion through savings groups, income-generating activities, and vocational training

Nutrition and Health

• Address severe acute malnutrition among women and children

• Improve access to nutrition and health services

• Conduct nutrition education and social and behavioral change programs

Protection and Social Cohesion

• Promote child protection and gender equality

• Build community mobilization for marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities and minority communities

• Strengthen protection and PSEA mechanisms

Capacity Building

• Train smallholder farmers in post-harvest management, processing, marketing, and transportation

• Train 280 women in financial literacy, leadership, inclusion, and vocational skills

• Strengthen 105 SME, agro-processor, and farmer organization members in quality assurance systems for agricultural products

Target Beneficiaries

• Smallholder farmers and vulnerable households in Kasai Province

• Women, including those with disabilities and minority groups

• SMEs, agro-processors, and farmers’ organizations involved in targeted crops

Expected Outcomes

• Improved food security and access to services for vulnerable households

• Enhanced technical capacities of farmers and producers

• Strengthened nutrition-sensitive value chains and market linkages

• Increased financial inclusion and entrepreneurial skills

• Improved social cohesion, protection, and gender equality

Who Can Participate

• Smallholder farmers

• Local women and youth groups

• SMEs, agro-processors, and farmers’ organizations in Kasai Province

How the Initiative Works

1. Training and Capacity Building: Farmers and women receive training in production, processing, marketing, leadership, and financial literacy.

2. Nutrition and Health Services: Enhanced access to nutrition and health services, especially for women and children.

3. Community Mobilization: Strengthening participation and cohesion among marginalized and vulnerable groups.

4. Market and Value Chain Support: Support to producers and SMEs to implement quality assurance, access markets, and develop sustainable value chains.

5. Financial Inclusion: Establish income-generating activities, savings groups, and vocational training to promote economic empowerment.

Why It Matters

• Addresses high rates of food insecurity and malnutrition in Kasai Province

• Supports sustainable livelihoods for smallholder farmers

• Promotes gender equality, inclusion, and social cohesion

• Strengthens local capacity in production, processing, and quality assurance

• Enhances resilience to socio-economic and climate shocks

FAQs

1. Who are the beneficiaries of this initiative?
   Smallholder farmers, women (including persons with disabilities), minority groups, SMEs, agro-processors, and farmers’ organizations in Kasai Province.

2. What are the main focus areas?
   Food security, nutrition, livelihoods, protection, social cohesion, gender equality, and capacity building.

3. Which organizations are implementing the project?
   WFP, in collaboration with FAO and UNICEF.

4. What types of training are provided?
   Post-harvest management, processing, marketing, transportation, vocational skills, leadership, financial literacy, and quality assurance.

5. How does the project address malnutrition?
   By improving access to nutrition services, promoting healthy diets, and implementing social and behavioral change interventions.

6. How does the initiative promote economic empowerment?
   Through vocational training, financial literacy, savings groups, income-generating activities, and support for SMEs and agro-processors.

7. What is the geographic focus?
   Kasai Province, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Conclusion

The WFP-led initiative in Kasai Province provides a comprehensive approach to improve food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. By integrating technical training, gender equality, financial inclusion, and protection measures, the program aims to build resilient communities and sustainable agricultural value chains that benefit vulnerable populations.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.