Executive Summary

"Femmes Vertes" is a high-impact environmental and socio-economic initiative led by the Association des Jeunes Femmes Entreprenantes du Burkina (AJFEB). Our mission is to combat deforestation and land degradation in Burkina Faso while economically empowering young women through reforestation and agroforestry. The project combines environmental restoration with sustainable livelihoods by training 200 young women to establish and manage community nurseries, plant 50 hectares of degraded land, and implement agroforestry techniques that enhance soil fertility and crop yields. By transforming environmental challenges into economic opportunities, we create a triple impact: ecological regeneration, income generation, and gender empowerment. Our scalable model aligns with global climate goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063, positioning Femmes Vertes as a sustainable, locally driven solution with national and regional potential. We are seeking strategic partners and investors to help scale We seek to raise €1000,000 in grant funding or impact investment to support training, nursery setup, and reforestation activities across 5 communities. We welcome partnerships in the form of grants, CSR contributions, or blended finance for climate and gender impact. The success and sustainability of the Femmes Vertes project rests on the strength, passion, and expertise of the team behind it. The initiative is spearheaded by the Association des Jeunes Femmes Entreprenantes du Burkina (AJFEB), a dynamic and fast-growing organization led by a new generation of committed young women leaders dedicated to environmental protection, economic empowerment, and community development across Burkina Faso. 1. NIKIEMA Rasmata – Présidente de l’AJFEB (Coordinatrice du Projet) NIKIEMA Rasmata is a social entrepreneur and advocate for women’s empowerment with over 8 years of experience in community development and female entrepreneurship. A graduate in Development Studies and Environmental Governance, Awa has led multiple grassroots initiatives in women’s literacy, leadership training, and environmental awareness. She has been recognized nationally for her leadership in mobilizing rural women into cooperatives. Her deep community ties, vision for sustainability, and skills in stakeholder coordination make her a pillar of the Femmes Vertes project. 2. Dr Souleymane OUEDRAOGO– Expert en Agroforesterie et Reboisement Dr. Ouedraogo is a forestry and land restoration specialist with over 10 years of experience working with the Ministry of Environment and several international NGOs. He brings technical expertise in soil regeneration, agroforestry models, climate resilience, and ecosystem monitoring. His role includes designing and supervising the reforestation strategy, training modules, and technical guidance to ensure long-term ecological viability. 3. DIPAMA FAOZIA– Responsable des Programmes Économiques et Inclusion With a background in microfinance and cooperative development, Aïcha has worked on numerous economic empowerment programs for women, including income-generating activities and business incubation for rural communities. She leads the financial literacy and business skills component of the Femmes Vertes program, ensuring that the project creates sustainable revenue streams for beneficiaries. 4. ILBOUDO Omer– Responsable Suivi-Évaluation et Partenariats Mahamadi brings experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) frameworks, having worked with various development agencies on data collection, reporting, and impact assessment. He ensures rigorous data tracking, transparency, and accountability, critical for scalability and attracting funders. 5. Coordinatrices Locales AJFEB – Leaders Communautaires Each of the 5 pilot zones will have 4 trained local coordinators drawn from AJFEB’s network of community activists. These women will serve as trainers, mentors, and mobilizers, reinforcing local ownership and peer leadership. Their cultural knowledge and proximity to communities ensure efficient communication and sustained impact. The Association of Young Entrepreneurial Women of Burkina (AJFEB) operates under a hybrid model that combines grant funding, community contributions, and strategic partnerships. Although AJFEB is a non-profit organization, it is progressively integrating income-generating activities into its projects to ensure long-term economic sustainability and financial autonomy. Over the past three years, the association has demonstrated consistent financial growth. In 2022, annual revenues reached approximately 12,000 euros, primarily from local grants and member contributions. In 2023, this figure doubled to 25,000 euros, driven by new partnerships and the expansion of its activities. By mid-2024, AJFEB has already secured or received funding commitments totaling 34,000 euros, confirming an upward trend and increasing attractiveness among donors and development stakeholders. The Femmes Vertes (Green Women) project builds on this solid financial foundation while incorporating local revenue-generating mechanisms. These include the sale of seedlings from community nurseries, the marketing of agroforestry products (such as moringa, néré, and shea), and the artisanal processing of products by women’s cooperatives (oils, soaps, dried leaves, etc.). Additionally, trained beneficiaries will offer training and advisory services to other villages, creating a multiplier effect and generating supplementary income. In the medium term, these activities are expected to generate 10–15% of the project’s total resources, gradually reducing reliance on external funding. The remaining budget will be covered by grants, impact financing, and public-private partnerships. For the Femmes Vertes project, the total estimated budget over two years is 60,000 euros, of which 50,000 euros are being sought through impact-driven grants or funding support. These funds will be used to establish five community nurseries, train 200 women, reforest 50 hectares of degraded land, and launch the first local cooperatives. AJFEB is committed to financial transparency and responsible resource management. Over 80% of funds are directly allocated to field activities, with minimal administrative overhead. Financial records are regularly monitored and shared with partners through detailed reporting. Thanks to this rigorous management and a sustainable operational model, AJFEB aims to expand the Femmes Vertes project to 10 additional communities by 2027, with the goal of empowering 1,000 women and restoring over 300 hectares of degraded land, while building a scalable social and economic model that can be replicated across other regions of Africa. The Green Women Project: A High-Potential Market at the Intersection of Environment, Economy, and Gender Equality The Green Women (Femmes Vertes) project operates within a market of significant environmental, economic, and social potential, positioned at the intersection of key sectors: land restoration, sustainable agriculture, community reforestation, and rural women’s economic empowerment. This strategic positioning makes the project highly relevant and impactful, both locally and internationally. National Context – Urgent Environmental Challenges Burkina Faso, a Sahelian country highly vulnerable to climate change, is experiencing rapid land degradation. According to data from the National Meteorology Agency, nearly 34% of agricultural land is already degraded, primarily due to deforestation, soil erosion, unsustainable farming practices, and climate change. Forest cover is being lost at a rate of 105,000 hectares per year, directly affecting food security, water availability, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of rural populations. In response to this ecological emergency, reforestation and agroforestry have become national priorities, supported by public policies and technical and financial partners. 1. Market Opportunity – Agroforestry and Natural Products Agroforestry—integrating agricultural crops with useful trees (fruit, medicinal, nitrogen-fixing, etc.)—offers a sustainable solution to these challenges. It enhances soil fertility, increases community resilience to climate shocks, and produces high-value products such as: • Moringa (in high demand for its nutritional and medicinal properties), • Shea (karité) (used in the global cosmetics industry), • Néré and baobab (processed into natural condiments and beverages), • Sustainable fuelwood (from live hedges and fast-growing trees). These agroforestry products are in strong demand on local, regional, and international markets. The global moringa market, for example, is experiencing rapid growth, as is the market for natural and fair-trade shea-based cosmetics. 2. Unique Positioning – Empowering Rural Women The project stands out through its focus on rural women’s entrepreneurship, a largely untapped market in Burkina Faso. Fewer than 20% of rural women have access to appropriate agricultural training or independent income sources. Green Women offers a targeted, inclusive solution by equipping women with technical, entrepreneurial, and cooperative skills. This gender-focused approach aligns with international development priorities and attracts interest from donors and global programs committed to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).