Study Visit in Cameroon: the GREASE Project’s Journey

From June 2-6, 2024, the GREASE project partners embarked on an inspiring study visit across Cameroon. Marjan and Shemo were part of the study visit aimed to explore the local social and solidarity economy (ССЕ) actors in urban and rural areas and empower rural communities and women through green social entrepreneurship and cooperative development.

The visit followed the first African Forum on the Social Solidarity Economy (FORA’ESS), held in Yaoundé from May 28-30, 2024. Co-organized by GREASE project partner PFAC, this pan-African event brought together over 1,500 participants from across the continent to explore different models of ССЕ. During the forum, the GREASE project hosted a panel session to present its objectives and discuss the role of ССЕ in fostering community empowerment, particularly through the RELESS network in Cameroon.

The study visit kicked off in Yaoundé, where participants were introduced to local customs and given an overview of the upcoming activities. This visit was an opportunity for GREASE partners to meet in person, organize a roundtable discussion, and share their experiences, paving the way for the consortium’s future work. ARNO shared its programs on social green entrepreneurship, its experience in supporting green and social business, and in creating networks for all actors in ССЕ. The discussion explored potential collaboration and knowledge exchange between countries to further the ССЕ movement in Africa.

The journey then moved from the capital to the rural municipalities of Doumaintang and Olangina. In Doumaintang, located in the East region, the GREASE team visited women-led cooperatives engaged in agrifood production, healthcare, and education. These cooperatives are dedicated to supporting the livelihoods of rural women through traditional agriculture and innovative farming techniques. The visit included interactions with women cultivating cassava, corn, and plantains, as well as operating fishponds. The partners learned about the daily realities these women face and discussed the significant role of cooperatives and the RELESS network in improving their socioeconomic conditions.

In Olangina, the partners were warmly welcomed by the local community, including the mayor, municipality staff, and members of RELESS. The visit involved exploring successful cooperative ventures such as macabo and pineapple plantations, as well as pisciculture systems that serve as economic lifelines for local women. A side conference was also organized to present the GREASE project’s activities, during which the mayor expressed his commitment to developing the RELESS network. The event concluded with a celebratory ceremony where ten new cooperatives were certified, signaling the continued growth of ССЕ in the region.

The study visit concluded with a meeting with Mr. Achille Bassilekin, Cameroon’s Minister of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts. This meeting was instrumental in presenting GREASE’s long-term vision and its alignment with the country’s development goals. The minister’s support signified an important step toward ensuring the sustainability of the project and its positive impact on rural communities.

Throughout their rural visits, the partners engaged deeply with the local communities. Women entrepreneurs and cooperative members shared their stories, discussing their challenges and the support they hoped to receive from the GREASE project. These conversations highlighted the critical need for capacity-building initiatives that would equip women with the skills necessary for social entrepreneurship. The insights gained from these exchanges are crucial in shaping future activities, ensuring the support provided meets the real needs of the communities involved.

The GREASE project is co-funded by the Erasmus+ Programme of the European Union. It is coordinated by the DIESIS Network (Belgium), in partnership with ARNO (N. Macedonia), AFROLEADERSHIP, FORESSCAM, and Partenariat France & Afrique pour le Co-développement (PFAC) from Cameroon.