CREATE! Agricultural Resilience

In rural Senegal’s Sahel region, CREATE! confronts the pervasive and interwoven issues of reduced rainfall, desertification, and water scarcity, and their impacts on food and economic insecurity, adverse health outcomes, and gender disparities in Senegal.  

Senegal’s agricultural landscape is shaped by a nine-month-long dry season. Agriculture is therefore carried out during the short rainy season with nearly 90% of agricultural land worked by small-scale, family-based farms engaged in subsistence agriculture. According to USAID, rising temperatures, decreasing rainfall, prolonged dry spells, drought, and saltwater intrusion exacerbate these vulnerabilities, posing direct threats to the agricultural sector. Moreover, desertification, marked by the encroachment of desert sands into arable land, further reduces cultivable areas, amplifying challenges for rural farmers. 

Water scarcity compounds these agricultural difficulties. Rural communities rely on costly commercial water systems or labor-intensive hand-operated pulley systems for water. While the latter meets daily household needs, it is insufficient for dry-season agriculture. Limited access to freshwater sources push communities to purchase expensive and saline water from private boreholes unsuitable for consumption or agriculture. Water insecurity, shortening rainy seasons, and shrinking arable land drives rural families toward unsustainable cash crop cultivation. Cash crop cultivation leads to soil and ecosystem degradation and limits income opportunities to only rainy season production. As a result, Senegal is a net importer of food crops (FAO). For poor rural households, this limits their ability to consume nutritious foods as imports are expensive and locally grown crops are inconsistent, proliferating food insecurity throughout the Sahel. Deforestation adds to their nutritional challenges, as women depend on wood for cooking, a now scarce and expensive commodity. 

In 2022, the World Food Program estimated that 881,275 people in Senegal suffer from food insecurity. Micronutrient deficiencies are also alarmingly high with 66% of children under 5 years and 54% of women of reproductive age being anemic, impacting productivity and overall well-being. Moreover, inadequate access to clean water worsens waterborne diseases, further compromising community health. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these issues, particularly affecting people in rural informal sectors. 

Rising temperatures and droughts jeopardize incomes and yields of critical food crops, while also increasing pests, diseases, food costs, and malnutrition. Subsistence agriculture falters due to reduced rainfall, droughts, and short three-month agricultural periods, resulting in daily earnings ranging from 300 CFA ($0.50) to 1000 CFA ($1.81) per farmer, falling below the global minimum of $1.90. Consequently, low agricultural earnings contribute to poor health and educational outcomes, increased rural migration, and heightened poverty and economic stagnation.

According to the FAO, 82% of migrants are men which further exacerbates economic strain. Women bear a disproportionate burden in Senegal’s rural agricultural sector, managing nearly 90% of agricultural land in small-scale, family-based farms. Women, however, face many challenges, including limited access to resources, land tenure issues, and cultural barriers. Male migration deepens gender disparities, leaving women to manage agricultural tasks single-handedly, further marginalizing their economic and social status.

CREATE! addresses these interconnected climate-change challenges by harnessing holistic solutions to food security, gender inequality, poverty, and community health. 

CREATE! moves beyond singular climate interventions. We collaborate with the Senegalese government and community members, particularly women’s groups and village chiefs. Thousands of abandoned French colonial-era wells across Senegal offer untapped potential as sources of clean, affordable water. The wells are recharged by annual rains and in line with the Senegalese government’s hydraulics policy to maintain aquifer balance. Together, communities and the Senegal field team use a locally-designed human-powered winch system to identify and clear decades of debris from the wells.

After cleaning, the wells are retrofitted with solar-powered pumps to harness the region’s abundance of sunlight. The pumps direct water into 5,000-liter elevated reservoirs for distribution through basins and gravity-fed irrigation systems in community gardens. Unlike diesel pumps, which emit 0.99 kg of CO2 per cubic meter of water, CREATE!’s solar pumps save approximately 122,859 kilograms of CO2 annually, with participants pumping an average of 340 cubic meters of water daily from 20 communities. These pumps provide an accessible, abundant source of freshwater, enabling year-round food crop cultivation without relying on fossil fuels.

The solar pumps support year-round gardening and provide water for cooking and drinking. In community gardens, women receive training in sustainable agricultural techniques from CREATE! technicians, cultivating vegetables, fruits, and nuts throughout the year. Cooperative gardens utilize manual tools to minimize soil disturbance and maximize moisture retention. A diverse variety of indigenous crops and efficient irrigation methods optimize water resources, with mint and straw acting as a cover crop for soil moisture conservation.

Community-generated compost from livestock replaces chemical fertilizers and recycled mosquito nets substitute pesticides. Currently, 20 active cooperative groups directly benefit more than 1,000 members in 3 different rural regions of Senegal. Diverse crop yields and rehabilitated well systems ensure year-round access to nutritious food and water. This allows women to break generational patterns of malnutrition and starvation, ensuring the health and safety of entire families across participating villages. In almost all partnering communities, 98% of women age 15-49 achieve Minimum Dietary Diversity. Women also receive poultry care training, providing an additional source of income and sustainable nutrition.

Income generated through surplus produce sales empowers women financially. Financial independence allows women to become community leaders and develop entrepreneurial skills. The Village Savings and Lending Associations (VSLA) enhance financial literacy, provide capital for small businesses and community gardens, and foster economic resilience through affordable loan interest rates. With this support, project participants have started small businesses, be it their own farm stands or raising poultry in their backyard, thus scaling economic and nutritional opportunities while still protecting the environment.

CREATE! also focuses on reforestation. Strategically placed fruit and nut trees provide food, firewood, medicine, shade, and wind protection. This helps the soil retain moisture and reduces ground temperatures up to 10 degrees Fahrenheit, addressing issues of desertification and deforestation. With one tree offsetting 34.6 pounds of Carbon, CREATE! has offset 3,892 total tons of Carbon.

Our multi-faceted approach secures essential resources to ensure rural Senegalese women can protect and restore their ecosystems and community gardens

CREATE! serves rural communities in Senegal, particularly focusing on empowering women who shoulder the burden of agricultural activities without sufficient support or resources. These communities currently face climate-related challenges in the dry Sahel desert, economic constraints, and gender disparities caused by male migration.  

Given Senegal’s position as a net importer of food crops, CREATE!’s solution focuses on providing yearlong access to water to produce nutritious local food and improve their economic status through the sale of their excess agricultural production. CREATE!’s projects are focused on multi-level collaboration rather than top-down implementation. We believe in community-driven partnerships designed to meet the basic needs and goals of the rural population. By collaborating with local leaders and engaging in extensive community discussions, we ensure that our interventions are culturally appropriate and resonate with the local context. This participatory approach fosters ownership and ensures the sustainability of our projects. 

Once a partnership is established, community members are actively involved in every stage of the project, from design to implementation and maintenance. They attend weekly or bi-weekly training sessions in sustainable agriculture, microfinance, poultry production, and environmentally friendly cooking practices. Technicians also establish management committees who are trained in the use and maintenance of the water wells, solar panels and solar pumps, and irrigation systems. This empowers them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their agricultural practices, generate income, and ensure food security. 

Our focus on sustainable agriculture not only improves food security but also addresses environmental degradation caused by unsustainable farming practices. By promoting diversified crop cultivation and environmentally friendly techniques, we help communities overcome the limitations of cash crop monoculture while enhancing soil health and ecosystem resilience. 

Access to clean water is another critical aspect of our solution. By reviving abandoned wells and installing solar-powered pumps, we secure year-round access to clean water for irrigation and household use. This reduces reliance on costly commercial water systems and empowers communities to sustainably and independently manage their water. 

The Voluntary Saving and Lending Associations help women address their families needs and exercise autonomy. In 2023, participants saved an average of $23 monthly. The initiative is particularly impactful for those facing literacy barriers as it offers a local solution that addresses the inaccessibility of conventional banking institutions. Beneficiary Soda Lo says, “Since engaging in the VSLA, I’ve funded my children's education through loans.” In a community where educational access poses a substantial challenge, affordable VSLA interest rates empower families to meet education-related costs, including school fees, uniforms, and supplies. 

Our intersectional approach allows participating women’s cooperative groups to overcome the gendered aspects of poverty and climate change. CREATE!’s solution improves the lives of rural communities in Senegal by addressing their immediate needs for food security, clean water, and economic empowerment. The four-year program is collaborative and participatory, ensuring women’s security and providing leadership spaces for women, enabling them to autonomously lead initiatives. By promoting sustainable agriculture, fostering community participation, and empowering women, we create lasting positive impacts that benefit individuals, families, and entire communities.

CREATE! serves rural communities in Senegal, particularly focusing on empowering women who shoulder the burden of agricultural activities without sufficient support or resources. These communities currently face climate-related challenges in the dry Sahel desert, economic constraints, and gender disparities caused by male migration.

Given Senegal’s position as a net importer of food crops, CREATE!’s solution focuses on providing yearlong access to water to produce nutritious local food and improve their economic status through the sale of their excess agricultural production. CREATE!’s projects are focused on multi-level collaboration rather than top-down implementation. We believe in community-driven partnerships designed to meet the basic needs and goals of the rural population. By collaborating with local leaders and engaging in extensive community discussions, we ensure that our interventions are culturally appropriate and resonate with the local context. This participatory approach fosters ownership and ensures the sustainability of our projects.

Once a partnership is established, community members are actively involved in every stage of the project, from design to implementation and maintenance. They attend weekly or bi-weekly training sessions in sustainable agriculture, microfinance, poultry production, and environmentally friendly cooking practices. Technicians also establish management committees who are trained in the use and maintenance of the water wells, solar panels and solar pumps, and irrigation systems. This empowers them with the knowledge and skills needed to improve their agricultural practices, generate income, and ensure food security.

Our focus on sustainable agriculture not only improves food security but also addresses environmental degradation caused by unsustainable farming practices. By promoting diversified crop cultivation and environmentally friendly techniques, we help communities overcome the limitations of cash crop monoculture while enhancing soil health and ecosystem resilience.

Access to clean water is another critical aspect of our solution. By reviving abandoned wells and installing solar-powered pumps, we secure year-round access to clean water for irrigation and household use. This reduces reliance on costly commercial water systems and empowers communities to sustainably and independently manage their water.

The Voluntary Saving and Lending Associations help women address their families needs and exercise autonomy. In 2023, participants saved an average of $23 monthly. The initiative is particularly impactful for those facing literacy barriers as it offers a local solution that addresses the inaccessibility of conventional banking institutions. Beneficiary Soda Lo says, “Since engaging in the VSLA, I’ve funded my children's education through loans.” In a community where educational access poses a substantial challenge, affordable VSLA interest rates empower families to meet education-related costs, including school fees, uniforms, and supplies.

Our intersectional approach allows participating women’s cooperative groups to overcome the gendered aspects of poverty and climate change. CREATE!’s solution improves the lives of rural communities in Senegal by addressing their immediate needs for food security, clean water, and economic empowerment. The four-year program is collaborative and participatory, ensuring women’s security and providing leadership spaces for women, enabling them to autonomously lead initiatives. By promoting sustainable agriculture, fostering community participation, and empowering women, we create lasting positive impacts that benefit individuals, families, and entire communities

CREATE! has accomplished significant milestones in addressing water scarcity and promoting sustainable agriculture in Senegal. Our solution has been successfully implemented in 20 communities, with our 21st community starting this year. The program has impacted the health, nutrition, and livelihoods of an estimated 19,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries. Each community we partner with has 50-100 direct and 500-800 indirect members on an average. Given our current resources and the ongoing demand for our activities, we can grow our solution by at least 2 villages per year. This would allow us to reach 100 more women directly, and approximately 1000 more villagers indirectly every year.   

Our dedicated team in Senegal gathers monthly field data from all current partner communities yet to graduate from the program, enabling us to closely monitor key performance metrics and measure program impact. Statistics are based on community averages. Through the rehabilitation of 20 wells and installation of solar pumps, CREATE! communities save an estimated 122,859 kilograms of CO2 annually. This consistent access to clean water allows women trained in sustainable agriculture techniques to establish community gardens, enhancing nutrition and generating income through surplus produce sales. In 2023, participants produced 14.4 tons of fruits and vegetables and planted 30,000 trees, offsetting 826 tons of Carbon and improving groundwater recharge. Individual participants earn an average monthly income of $10 from excess vegetable produce sales, with an average monthly fruit and vegetable production of 300 pounds and cultivation of 5 different vegetable species. Each community raises approximately 150 chickens per month, contributing to participants’ enhanced financial independence, with each woman earning an average of $20 monthly. Moreover, beneficiaries’ monthly savings of $20 through the Voluntary Savings and Lending Association (VSLA) demonstrate the success of financial literacy and savings programming.  

Quantitative metrics focus on resource access, production, and income generation, reflecting tangible improvements in participants’ food, water, and financial security. While the program impact goals are quantifiable for direct participants, these metrics also provide insights into the overall health and environmental outcomes that extend to indirect beneficiaries of CREATE’s efforts. Higher numbers in VSLA savings, produce, and poultry incomes also demonstrate heightened participant engagement, self-sufficiency, and access to educational resources. CREATE! collects monthly testimonies as qualitative data, revealing the long-term resilience and independence of communities. Testimonies showcase growth in leadership, empowerment, and well-being. Success is measured through a comprehensive evaluation of quantitative metrics and qualitative indicators that ensure a holistic understanding of the program’s positive transformations.  

CREATE!’s model focuses on training rural women in climate change causes and mitigation to make it uniquely effective for the challenges in the hot and arid Sahel region. By combining green energy with existing infrastructure, CREATE! emphasizes economic and environmental balance and sustainability. CREATE! sees significant opportunities for growth, scale-up, and replication of our work in Senegal. Our primary obstacle to further growth and scalability is limited access to financial resources.

Our organization has achieved significant milestones in addressing water scarcity and promoting sustainable agriculture in Senegal. However, we face several financial, technical, and market barriers we hope Solve can help us overcome. 

Currently breaking even, our organization aims to expand its funding base. There is a fixed cost with project implementation in each community, but funding for Senegal is scarce. To overcome this, we conduct outreach amongst our individual supporters and foundations. Our strengths lie in a dedicated donor base and supportive family foundations that actively back CREATE!, ensuring a stable foundation for ongoing financial stability and expansion. MIT Solve’s network of partners can further strengthen our outreach and help us access the funding needed to replicate our successful program in more communities. 

As a small organization with only two U.S.-based development employees, however, we struggle to gain visibility and engagement through social media and other communications. Technical support with newsletters, videos, and social media would help us build a stronger donor base and increase awareness around climate change for rural communities in West Africa. Training for both U.S. and Senegalese employees would ensure that the content produced is both culturally sensitive and locally-owned.  

In the next three years, our focus is on maintaining partnerships with current active communities and extending collaboration to at least two additional communities per year. In the next ten years, we would like to scale our program efficiently in other countries through policy shifts and collaborative partnerships. We hope to: partner with 10 new communities, rehabilitate 10 new wells and install 10 new solar pumping and irrigation systems, improve nutrition and dietary diversity of 500-750 more women while empowering them financially, and plant 100,000 more trees. To achieve these goals, we will fundraise from foundations and individuals to replicate our successful program in more communities in Senegal and other West African countries like the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau and Niger. We will partner with the Senegalese government to promote and scale our work in Senegal, and approach U.N. agencies like the World Food Program and International Organization of Migration to introduce and proliferate our approach in more Senegalese communities and West African countries. 

A partnership with Solve would give us the visibility, training, and market resources to partner with such esteemed organizations. Exposure through media and conferences will also help attract new donors and expand our network of people passionate about strengthening the capacity and resilience of rural communities in West Africa. Moreover, our future plans involve securing the necessary staff resources to facilitate the seamless continuation of our services. We will benefit from the technical expertise of Solve in areas such as regenerative agriculture, solar pumping, and irrigation systems. Solve can connect us with technical partners who can provide valuable insights and support in implementing these solutions effectively and scaling in other countries. Being such a small organization, CREATE! needs a greater network that will support and inspire future projects.  

CREATE!’s innovation lies in its integration of green energy with existing infrastructure to achieve economic and environmental balance. In rural Senegal, where the prolonged dry season restricts agriculture to brief rainy periods, CREATE! addresses the challenge of year-round food production by tapping into the untapped potential of colonial-era wells.

Collaborating with local fabricators in 2017, CREATE! designed a human-powered winch system for well cleaning and rehabilitation. This innovative approach streamlines the process of clearing decades of debris from abandoned wells, transforming them into viable sources of clean, affordable water. Solar-powered pumps are then installed to direct water into 5,000-liter elevated reservoirs for distribution through ground-level basins and gravity-fed irrigation systems in community gardens. The use of solar pumps ensures a consistent supply of freshwater, enabling year-round crop cultivation without relying on fossil fuels, and tapping into Senegal’s most abundant resource: sun. CREATE! goes beyond providing access to water; it empowers women in the communities with training in sustainable irrigated agricultural techniques. This comprehensive approach allows farmers to grow organic, fresh vegetables year-round in cooperative gardens, supplementing cash crops during the rainy season on family farms. This approach boosts production, consumption, and surplus sales, resulting in a higher income for the communities.

By balancing economic and environmental considerations, CREATE! fosters ecosystem conservation while empowering participants to improve their economic livelihoods. The emphasis on sustainable practices ensures both environmental and financial sustainability, contributing to the long-term success of the programs.

CREATE!’s solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in the development space. We believe that technology is only as innovative as it is functional and sustainable. By showcasing the efficacy of integrating green energy with existing infrastructure, CREATE! has the power to inspire other organizations to embrace similar methods and place a heightened emphasis on innovative, locally-rooted solutions. Moreover, our commitment to fostering community-driven partnerships and sustainable practices sets a precedent for promoting both social inclusivity and environmental stewardship on a global scale within development initiatives.

Our solutions are rooted in fostering long-term community ownership, steering away from short-term dependency on external aid. Recognizing the pivotal role of women, who form the heart of these communities, we believe they are the primary drivers of change to usher in a genuine “real green revolution” in West Africa. Community well-being is defined at the local level, emphasizing the voices of trusted leaders, women’s groups, and our skilled Senegalese team. Ndeye Diop, the president of one of CREATE!’s community gardens, says that because of CREATE!’s collaboration she “is used to leading a group. I’m the first person to talk to when someone wants to talk to women. I represent my village in many ceremonies and I always talk on behalf of women in the village.”

With their leadership and wisdom, we provide communities with year-round access to clean water. Our wells are recharged by annual rains and are in line with the Senegalese government’s hydraulics policy to maintain aquifer balance. By utilizing renewable energy sources, like solar pumps, we not only address water scarcity but also mitigate the impact of climate change by reducing carbon emissions. Studies estimate diesel pumps emit 0.99 kg of CO2/m3 of water. With a daily average of 340 m3 of water pumped from 20 communities, CREATE! participants save approximately 122,859 kilograms of CO2 every year.

The impact of clean water access extends beyond health and hygiene. Community members report: “the well water is very good for our health, I notice we have become healthier,” as they have experienced a reduction in waterborne illnesses and exposure to salty water since the implementation of our program. This is supported by data showing an increase in the percentage of women achieving Minimum Dietary Diversity, a verifiable indicator that measures micronutrient adequacy and well-being. Year-round access to food and water allows women to break generational patterns of malnutrition and starvation, ensuring the health and safety of entire families across participating villages. Before, only 27% of women aged 15-49 achieved Minimum Dietary Diversity. Now, in almost all partnering communities, 98% of women of reproductive age achieve Minimum Dietary Diversity.

In addition to water access, our program emphasizes sustainable agriculture practices to ensure food security and economic empowerment. By providing training in sustainable agricultural techniques, such as crop rotation and composting, we empower communities to increase crop yields and reduce reliance on expensive food imports. Testimonials from community members attest to the transformative impact of our interventions: “We can feel the freshness in the site thanks to its transformation because it was empty and dry before,” Lena explained.

By focusing on long-term outcomes rather than short-term fixes, we aim to create sustainable change that extends beyond the duration of our program. Our theory of change is supported by evidence from the successful implementation of our solution in 20 communities, with an estimated 19,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries. Each community we partner with experiences tangible improvements in health, nutrition, and livelihoods, demonstrating the effectiveness of our approach.

CREATE!'s impact goals are defined by our holistic approach to sustainability and development. As such, our metrics are integrative and wide-reaching. Our committed team in Senegal gathers monthly field data from all current partner communities that have not yet graduated from the program, enabling us to closely monitor key performance metrics and measure the success of our program impact. The metrics include the following:

(Current numbers are based on community averages). 

1. Number of women trained in sustainable development: 50-100.  

The number of beneficiaries who gain the knowledge and capacity to produce sustainable harvests of nutritious food from their cooperative gardens using environmentally responsible methods.   

2. Amount of water pumped daily from rehabilitated wells using solar-powered pump system: 20,000 liters.   

Assessment of community perennial access to abundant water for agriculture and household use.  

3. Average production of fruits and vegetables per month: 300 pounds.  

Assessment of crop yields that indicate increased food security. 

4. Number of different vegetable species grown on average every month: 5.  

Gives insight into community dietary diversity.  

5. Percentage of women aged 15-49 years achieving Minimum Dietary Diversity: 98%.  

An indicator measuring dietary adequacy. A means of qualitatively measuring improvement in women’s nutritional outcomes.  

6. Average monthly income earned by individual participants through sale of excess vegetable produce: $10.  

Assessment of crop yield and participants’ increased financial independence. 

7. Average number of poultry raised in each community: 150.   

Describes community poultry farming capacity and members access to rich sources of protein.  

8. Average monthly income earned by each woman through poultry sales: $20.  

Additional assessment of  participants’ increased financial independence.    

9. Average monthly savings of each beneficiary through Voluntary Savings and Lending Association (VSLA): $20.  

A means of measuring participation and success of financial literacy and savings programming.  

10. Total number of trees planted by the community every year: 1000.  

Increased reforestation and improved groundwater recharge

Quantitative metrics focus on resource access, production, and income generation, reflecting tangible improvements in participants’ food, water, and financial security. While the program impact goals are quantifiable for direct participants, these metrics also provide insights into the overall health and environmental outcomes that extend to indirect beneficiaries of CREATE’s efforts. Higher numbers in VSLA savings, produce, and poultry incomes also demonstrate heightened participant engagement, self-sufficiency, and access to educational resources. CREATE! collects monthly testimonies as qualitative data, revealing the long-term resilience and independence of communities. Testimonies showcase growth in leadership, empowerment, and well-being. Success is measured through a comprehensive evaluation of quantitative metrics and qualitative indicators that ensure a holistic understanding of the program’s positive transformations.

The core technology that powers our solution encompasses three main components: well rehabilitation, solar energy, and integrative sustainable agriculture techniques.

One cornerstone of our solution is the rehabilitation of abandoned wells, particularly those dating back to the French-colonial era. These wells, once restored, serve as vital sources of clean water for rural communities in Senegal. Our approach involves cleaning and refurbishing these wells, ensuring they are recharged by annual rains and aligned with governmental policies for aquifer balance. This technology revitalizes existing infrastructure, providing communities with sustainable access to clean water year-round.

Another pivotal aspect of our solution is harnessing solar energy to power various components of our projects, such as water pumps and irrigation systems. Solar panels are installed to capture and convert sunlight into electricity, which is then utilized to operate water pumps for well irrigation and distribution. By leveraging solar power, we not only ensure reliable access to water but also reduce reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating environmental impact and promoting sustainable energy usage.

Furthermore, our solution incorporates integrative and sustainable agriculture techniques to enhance food security and promote environmental stewardship. Agricultural trainings prioritize ecosystem conservation, teaching community members methods to minimize soil disturbance and maximize moisture retention. Diverse crop varieties are cultivated to optimize water resources, with specific crops like mint acting as cover crops to conserve soil moisture. Additionally, community-generated compost is utilized to replace chemical fertilizers, while recycled mosquito nets serve as substitutes for pesticides. These techniques promote soil health, increase crop resilience, and minimize environmental harm, contributing to long-term sustainability in agricultural practices and decreased dependency on cash-crop farming and agricultural imports.

Overall, our solution combines traditional knowledge with modern technologies to address the pressing challenges faced by rural communities in Senegal. By rehabilitating wells, harnessing solar energy, and implementing sustainable agriculture techniques, we empower communities to achieve self-sufficiency, enhance their resilience to climate change, and promote the well-being of both people and the planet.

CREATE! has one full-time Co-Executive Director and one part-time staff member based in the US.

In Senegal, CREATE! employs nine full-time staff members, including the Co-Executive Director, technicians, and the communications team.

CREATE! also boasts a nine-member Board of Directors.

CREATE! has been in operation since 2010. 

CREATE! upholds a steadfast non-discrimination policy, ensuring that all individuals, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, age, disability, genetic information, or national origin, are treated with dignity and respect in every aspect of our organization. We are dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is celebrated and valued.

In line with our commitment to gender equality, we prioritize maintaining a gender-balanced staff, recognizing the pivotal role that women play as drivers of change within communities. Our leadership team embodies this ideology, with a strong representation of individuals from diverse backgrounds. This includes our co-Executive Directors, both of whom are people of color who actively promote diversity and inclusivity within our Senegal and US teams.

Within our Senegal team, we make deliberate efforts to ensure diversity and inclusivity, with approximately half of CREATE!'s technicians and communications staff being women. These women serve as role models and mentors, inspiring project participants with their expertise and dedication. As stated by Codou Gadji, one of our esteemed female technicians, "The women are very motivated when they have a female technician training them. They know it is possible to do this work because they see us doing it."

Our commitment to diversity extends to our US team as well, with our co-Executive Director being a woman of color. Our Board of Directors further reflects this commitment, comprising an equal representation of women and men, with members hailing from various countries, including Senegal and Niger. Each member is deeply committed to upholding the principles of our non-discrimination policy and promoting diversity and inclusion at all levels of our organization.

At CREATE!, we firmly believe that embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment not only strengthens our organization but also enriches the communities we serve. By championing diversity in our workforce and leadership, we are better equipped to understand and address the unique needs and perspectives of the communities we work with, ultimately driving positive change and sustainable development.

As an NGO, CREATE! relies on funding from philanthropic organizations, mainly various Foundations and individuals, to sustain and expand our impactful solution. Some of the key Foundations contributing include Rotary Foundation, Addax and Oryx Foundation, Mortenson Family Foundation, Africa Donor Circle of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation and SpawGlass Foundation. Our Board of Directors is a “funding board” and are also a part of our fundraising team, spreading the word about the work among their networks to help support the work. 

Our project participants contribute land and labor to the work, but do not pay for any product and services. The value proposition of CREATE!'s solution is that it allows communities to grow nutritious organic vegetables annually instead of the previous seasonal agriculture, improving their food security, nutritional outcomes and income generation capacities. Traditionally, most Senegalese farmers practice subsistence agriculture with their income varying from 300CFA ($0.50) per day to 1000CFA ($1.81) per day per farmer over the year, an amount that is less than the global minimum of $1.90. By partnering with CREATE!, these same farmers are now trained in sustainable agriculture and can grow organic, fresh and nutritious vegetables throughout the year in the CREATE! cooperative gardens while growing their usual cash crops in their family farms during the rainy season. In this way, the communities are now able to produce more, consume more and sell their surplus produce yearlong, earning a higher income over the year while being mindful of the environment and climate change. The ability to consume nutritious vegetables daily from their own garden has improved the nutritional and health outcomes of the participants as evidenced by the data collected by CREATE!s Monitoring and Evaluation team.

CREATE! relies on individual donors and Family Foundations for financial support as an NGO. Our focus is on actively increasing financial independence through targeted events and connections. Currently breaking even, the organization aims to expand its funding base for future growth. There is a fixed cost with project implementation in each community, but funding for Senegal is scarce. To overcome this, we conduct outreach amongst our individual supporters and Foundations like Addax and Oryx, Mortenson Family and Rotary. We plan to continue engaging with them and promote our work through newsletters, videos, and social media to attract new donors. As a grant-funded organization, mitigating risks associated with potential grant fluctuations requires diversifying funding sources. Our strengths lie in a dedicated donor base and supportive Family Foundations that actively back CREATE!’s climate solutions, ensuring a stable foundation for ongoing financial stability and expansion.