Often the most effective training is where people are. Here a group of Kenyan farmers learn about making organic manure

International Programme Update

Having invited our partners in Africa to submit proposals for small, catalytic grants to strengthen themselves and improve the quality of their community development work, in November 2025 we were able to award two grants of £2,000 each. One grant went to ICA Service Ventures in Zambia to help them 

  • install solar panels and equipment in their office to give them access to reliable and environmentally sound power,
  • hold a participatory strategic planning event to bring together all the people who are key to their future

The second grant will go to ICA Cote d’Ivoire to fund a training in ICA’s Group Facilitation Methods in April 2026. In this project we are very happy to join up with Fourmis du Changement, the ICA member in France, who are not only contributing financially, but will provide quality, French-speaking trainers. Wherever possible we encourage the use of local trainers but currently such people do not exist in West Africa. This training, which will also be attended by two people from Lambassa ICA Benin, will begin to change that situation. 

In addition, we were able to transfer £700 to the Tujiendeleze Youth Organisation (TYO) in December, supporting their work with young people and education and bringing our total contribution in 2025 to £1,300. This money can support between 11 and 26 students on vocational courses (e.g. tailoring, masonry, catering, hairdressing, plumbing) and between 2 and 5 students on Certificate or Diploma courses. TYO usually contributes 50% of the course fees, leaving the students responsible for finding the other 50%. This builds their commitment to the course but reduces their burden sufficiently to make further education more accessible to many more people from poorer backgrounds. TYO also support the students in non-financial ways too, providing additional skills and coaching through regular meetings throughout the year. 

All of this work and impact is due to the generosity of our supporters, providing both regular and one-off donations. Will you join us?

Village Volunteers is run entirely by volunteers, and our ability to claim Gift Aid means that often more than 100% of your donation can go to African organisations. Please visit our Village Volunteers page to learn more and to make a one-off donation or become a regular sponsor. Every donation, however small, can help.

ICA:UK’s international work (including ToP in Europe) was featured in a recent article in the Global Buzz, newsletter of ICA International:

Global-Buzz-NovemberDecember-2025-1Download