Posted on Jul 24, 2017
At ECI, we believe a robust and stable civil society is the bedrock of social and economic progress. In practice that means we support a wide range of Congolese organizations providing essential services to the citizens of Congo. From social justice to education to journalism, below are just a few of our brave and hardworking […]
Posted on Jun 02, 2017
Eastern Congo Initiative and BanQu are proud to announce an innovative pilot program to fundamentally improve the lives of farmers in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Currently in the DRC, most farmers have no access to banking services, no reliable information about their productivity and harvests, no access to reliable and trackable economic information, […]
Posted on May 10, 2017
How can for-profit, private companies ensure ethical souring of their products? Kelly Goodejohn, Director of Ethical Sourcing, Global Social Impact & Public Policy for Starbucks addressed this question last week before The US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in a hearing titled “Value Added Through Private Sector Engagement”. While outlining Starbucks’ policy of 100% ethically sourced coffee, Ms. Goodejohn […]
Posted on May 03, 2017
In 2011, Eastern Congo Initiative began a bold journey to revitalize the Congolese coffee sector.
Posted on Apr 27, 2017
A Little Insurance Goes a Long Way For Famers in Congo Behind every coffee and cocoa bean produced in eastern Congo is a hardworking farmer. These farmers do the heavy lifting – literally – to further the progress of Congo’s re-emerging agricultural sector. In rural farming communities, access to affordable health care has always been […]
Posted on Apr 17, 2017
This piece originally appeared on the Lush Cosmetics website. To learn more about Lush Cosmetics’ sustainable sourcing practices, click here.) Lush Cosmetics supports sustainable farming in Congo The Democratic Republic of Congo is a place of dualities. It’s rich in natural resources, yet has the world’s lowest gross domestic product. Its landscapes are idyllic, but […]
Posted on Apr 03, 2017
Gender equality is going viral in Congo “We must not stop. We must continue to report the news. We must continue to raise awareness.” – Elian Polepole, Mama Radio. Every morning the journalists of ECI partner Mama Radio – a DRC radio station – gather their editorial board together to review the day’s docket of […]
Posted on Feb 24, 2017
“The opportunity of Congo starts with the people.” – Baraka Kasali, Country Director, ECI Meet Emil Ntaminabare Batera. Emil is part of an exciting movement in eastern Congo – the revitalization of the region’s agricultural sector. Emil and his wife are coffee farmers in North Kivu, one of the world’s most fertile regions for coffee […]
Posted on May 01, 2016
For the past 13 years, ECI partner KISANY has changed the lives of African women by providing skills training and work. In helping these women achieve financial independence, KISANY gives them control over their lives and a secure place in their community.
Posted on Apr 15, 2016
Today in South Kivu province, there are over 26 cooperatives, exporter and commercial farmers – eight years ago there were less than 15.