Community Advocate for Rural Development - CARD

When a woman joins a CARD supported VSLA, something bigger than access to credit happens.

She gains the confidence to start a business, the capital to grow it and the knowledge to make it environmentally sustainable either is clean energy, eco-friendly products, or green enterprises that protect the land her community depends on.

She’s no longer just saving for tomorrow she’s investing in her family’s future today, while building a healthier environment for generations to come.

Every business a VSLA woman builds is proof that economic empowerment and environmental care can grow together.

Follow our page as we continue to celebrate the women driving green livelihoods across our communities.

A Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) is often seen simply as a place where women save money. But at CARD, we’ve built VSLAs into something much bigger than a platform for green economy

📌 Financial Services — Members save collectively and access small loans without the barriers of formal banking, building financial discipline and independence.

📌 Clean Energy Access — VSLAs connect women to solar products, clean cookstoves, and other energy solutions that reduce household costs and environmental harm.

This Women are not just saving money they are building resilient, sustainable livelihoods for themselves, their families, and their communities.
This is why CARD invests in VSLAs because financial inclusion and environmental stewardship go hand in hand

Did you know that many rural women still struggle to access financial services for their businesses?

Across many communities in Bauchi State, women work hard every day to support their families through farming and small businesses. Yet many are unable to access loans or other financial services that could help them grow.

For some, the challenge is not having an official form of identification for others it is the lack of collateral required by financial institutions. Social norms and unequal access to resources also make it harder for women to benefit from financial opportunities.

The result is that many women are forced to run their businesses with limited resources, they cannot invest in new opportunities, expand their businesses, or increase their income as much as they would like.

When women are excluded from financial services their potential is limited and families may lose opportunities to improve their livelihoods and communities miss out on the contributions women can make to local economic grow

Strengthening Capacity for Resilient Landscapes in West Africa

From 6–10 July 2026, CARD participated in the Training of Trainers (ToT) on Agroforestry Technologies and Practices held at the World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) Centre, ICRISAT Office, Bamako, Mali.

The intensive training enhanced participants’ capacity to drive landscape restoration through agroforestry. It combined technical sessions with practical, hands-on demonstrations covering agroforestry technologies, sustainable land management, soil restoration, and approaches to improving food security.

The training also fostered collaboration among practitioners committed to building resilient landscapes and promoting sustainable livelihoods across the region.
We return better equipped with knowledge and practical skills to support communities in restoring degraded landscapes and advancing climate-resilient agriculture.

Together, we are driving change from the ground up.
CIFORICRAF ICRISAT Bamako SustainableDevelopment

On behalf of the entire CARD family, we celebrate you today Ibrahim Dauji, a valued member of our Admin & Finance team.

Your dedication, diligence, and commitment behind the scenes keep our organization running strong. The work you do may not always be in the spotlight, but it is deeply felt and truly appreciated by every one of us.

You are not just a colleague you are family. Thank you for all that you do at CARD and the communities we serve together.

Many happy returns🎉

The CARD Team