Volunteer Cooperation Program

In Bolivia, CECI aims to strengthen the economic power of women and young women who experience gender-based violence, are underemployed or unemployed, or belong to an Indigenous group. CECI volunteers work with civil society organizations to develop and implement advocacy campaigns to encourage the application of laws that protect women and their access to meaningful economic opportunities. In order to facilitate women’s resilience to climate change, volunteers also support environmental awareness campaigns and the creation of green economic opportunities in promising sectors.

Regions: Urban and rural areas of the departments of La Paz, Cochabamba, Nord-Potosi and Santa Cruz

In Rwanda, CECI supports the economic empowerment of vulnerable women: farmers, heads of households, young mothers, women and young women living in refugee camps or trading across borders. Although considerable progress has been made towards gender equality in Rwanda, particularly at a political level, women’s situation in their homes is deteriorating. CECI volunteers work with civil society organizations to improve women’s economic opportunities. In collaboration with local women’s rights organizations, the volunteers also support the creation of an enabling environment for gender equality.

In Senegal, CECI supports the economic empowerment of women and young women facing particularly significant barriers: women and young women with disabilities, uneducated or poorly educated women, educated but unemployed women and women entrepreneurs. The VCP particularly seeks to strengthen the capacities of women and young people who are seen as agents of change, in collaboration with a network of local partners composed of civil society organizations, peasant organizations, state agencies, municipalities and vocational training centres. By sharing their skills and expertise with partner organizations, CECI volunteers contribute to improving women’s economic opportunities, supporting the creation of an enabling environment for gender equality, and resilience to climate change.

In Guatemala, CECI works to empower Indigenous and rural women and youth. CECI volunteers work alongside civil society organizations, small and medium-sized enterprises and media, in order to enable the emergence of inclusive economic opportunities for Indigenous women and youth and the creation of an enabling environment for gender and cultural equality. In order to facilitate women’s resilience to climate change, volunteers also support environmental awareness campaigns and the creation of green economic opportunities in promising sectors.

Regions: Departments of Solola, Chimaltenango, El Quiché, Alta and Baja Verapaz, Scatepéquez and Guatemala.

In Côte d’Ivoire, CECI supports women and young women in rural areas to consolidate their economic power, in partnership with local women’s organizations. Volunteers provide practical training in financial management and eco-friendly packaging, while also collaborating on awareness-raising campaigns on gender-based violence and equal rights. The program also helps strengthen climate resilience and organizational capacities among partners, with a view to sustainable empowerment. Together, volunteers and local partners are laying the foundations for social change led by women themselves.

In the Philippines, women – particularly those active in the care economy or living in rural coastal areas – face numerous barriers that limit their economic empowerment, due to social norms, persistent stereotypes, and precarious informal employment. CECI works with local organizations, including CONCERN INC, which coordinates the program in the country, to support the skills and capacity of rural and urban women who depend on agriculture, fishing, or related activities for their livelihoods. The program promotes sustainable economic initiatives, supports the recognition of women's work, and creates environments conducive to their leadership. Together, they are paving the way for resilient solutions to social and climate change.