One of the most compelling aspects of the FCAP (facilitated collective action process), Spark’s unique approach to community-led development, is its robust impact beyond livelihoods on the social dynamics of communities.

Nowhere is this more apparent than in Burundi….

At the base of Mt. Elgon’s Wanale hill in Mbale district, Uganda, a rural community is tackling financial inclusion and household income challenges. The community of Madenge partnered with Spark in 2015 and graduated in 2018.

In December 2021, three years after their completion of the FCAP, the community invited Spark back to see the change they’d achieved. Here’s a look at the community’s journey...

During the resource mapping exercise, when villagers document and discuss access to public and shared resources, community members flagged a stubborn travel issue. Although Mwendo is close to a nearby road, it narrows before reaching the village. For residents of the village of 140 homes, this means they can’t transport goods by car and face constraints accessing markets. Cars traveling to and from Mwendo must stop at the nearest neighboring village, where goods are unloaded and carried more than two miles to the village.

Kigali, Rwanda — February 18, 2022

The Ministry of Local Government has appreciated the contribution of Spark Microgrants in Advancing Citizen Engagement (ACE) project. The appreciation was voiced by the Minister of State in charge of social affairs in Rwanda’s Ministry of Local Government, Assumpta Ingabire and the Director-General of Local Administrative Entities Development Agency (LODA), Mrs. Claudine Nyinawagaga.

Despite the hardships of the past year, we are proud that with your support, encouragement, and labor, we made a surge investment in our community partners. Nearly 300 new communities chose to join the Spark family this year.

Kigali, 22 September 2021- Spark Microgrants has launched a $6 million project to strengthen citizen engagement, and support livelihoods and income-generation in rural areas under the financial support of…

Join us as we launch our 10 Year Anniversary Campaign to celebrate a decade of impact!

Read Spark’s Ongoing Community Assessment about our impact on livelihoods in communities

New blog post on how community-driven development improves governance and policymaking.

Spark’s third session discussed our Rwanda program in partnership with the Government of Rwanda, and the effect of COVID-19 around the country.