Overview
Cuso International is a Canadian non-profit organization dedicated to reducing poverty and inequality by working with local partners in developing countries. In Tanzania, Cuso International implements a range of programs focused on gender equality, economic empowerment, health, and climate resilience, all tailored to local needs and led by Tanzanian communities.
Key Initiatives in Tanzania
Economic Empowerment
- Tanzania Local Enterprise Development (T-LED): This initiative supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by providing business development services, technical training, and access to finance. It has established four business hubs and collaborated with local partners like the Small Industries Development Organization (SIDO) to help entrepreneurs formalize and expand their businesses..
- SHARE Project: Launched in 2020, the SHARE project provides targeted technical assistance to local partners, including women’s rights organizations, government bodies, and the private sector, to advance gender equity and increase access to economic opportunities.
Health and Gender Equality
- VOICE Project: This initiative aims to improve the capacity of healthcare providers to deliver gender-responsive quality reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) services. It also addresses gender-based violence and promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights for young women.
- AGAPE Knowledge Open School (AKOS): AKOS supports women and girls in the Shinyanga region by providing education and life skills training, focusing on child and youth protection, prevention of gender-based violence, child marriages, and pregnancies, as well as skillful parenting and empowerment.
Climate Action and Agribusiness
- Kizimba Business Model (KBM): In partnership with the Sokoine University Graduate Entrepreneurs Cooperative (SUGECO), this model engages women and youth in agriculture and agribusiness opportunities. It provides training in farming skills and good agricultural practices, aiming to improve livelihoods and promote environmental conservation.
Impact Highlights
- Over 61,000 participants have been reached through the SHARE program, with 55% being women and girls.
- Four business hubs have been established to provide business development services to SMEs.
- 66 technical experts have collaborated with partners through the SHARE project, including 21 Canadian and 45 South-South experts.
- 14 local and international partners are involved across all projects, with 86% being local national organizations.
Cuso International’s work in Tanzania is characterized by its commitment to locally-led solutions, ensuring that programs are designed for and by the people, place, and economy of Tanzania. Through partnerships with local organizations and a focus on capacity building, Cuso International aims to create sustainable and inclusive development outcomes.
