Agriculture is the backbone of many communities, particularly in rural areas. FRECHO is committed to promoting sustainable agricultural practices that increase productivity, protect the environment, and enhance food security. The organization provides training in modern farming techniques, organic farming, and climate-resilient practices. FRECHO also supports farmers in accessing quality seeds, tools, and inputs, as well as facilitating connections to markets where they can sell their produce at fair prices. By enhancing agricultural livelihoods, FRECHO helps to secure food supplies and boost incomes for farming households.

FRECHO recognizes the crucial role that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) play in driving economic growth and job creation. The organization provides entrepreneurs with the training, mentorship, and financial support needed to start and grow their businesses. This includes access to microloans, business development services, and networking opportunities. FRECHO’s support for SMEs is designed to foster innovation, increase competitiveness, and create jobs, ultimately contributing to a more dynamic and inclusive local economy.

Equipping individuals with the skills needed to participate in the modern economy is a key focus of FRECHO’s work. The organization offers vocational training programs in areas such as carpentry, tailoring, mechanics, and information technology. These programs are tailored to meet the demands of the local job market, ensuring that participants are well-prepared for employment or entrepreneurship. By providing skills training, FRECHO helps individuals, particularly youth and women, to secure sustainable livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

FRECHO places a strong emphasis on empowering women and youth, who often face significant barriers to economic participation. The organization provides targeted support to these groups, including financial literacy training, access to microfinance, and mentorship programs. FRECHO also advocates for gender equality and works to dismantle social and cultural barriers that limit women’s and youth’s economic opportunities. By empowering these groups, FRECHO not only improves individual livelihoods but also contributes to broader community development and social change.

Access to financial services is critical for economic empowerment. FRECHO works to enhance financial inclusion by promoting savings and credit groups, facilitating access to microloans, and supporting the establishment of community banks. These initiatives help individuals and small businesses to manage risks, invest in growth, and improve their economic stability. FRECHO’s financial inclusion efforts are particularly focused on reaching those who are traditionally excluded from formal financial systems, such as women, rural communities, and people with disabilities.

To ensure that producers and entrepreneurs can fully benefit from their economic activities, FRECHO works to strengthen value chains and improve market access. The organization provides support in areas such as product development, quality improvement, and market research. FRECHO also facilitates linkages between producers and buyers, both locally and internationally. By improving value chains and market access, FRECHO helps to ensure that communities can maximize the value of their goods and services, leading to increased incomes and economic resilience.

FRECHO promotes the development of social enterprises that combine business practices with social and environmental goals. These enterprises create jobs, generate income, and address community challenges in innovative ways. FRECHO provides support in the form of training, mentorship, and seed funding to social entrepreneurs who are committed to making a positive impact. By fostering social enterprises, FRECHO helps to create sustainable, community-driven solutions to economic and social challenges.

Climate change poses significant risks to livelihoods, particularly in vulnerable communities. FRECHO integrates climate resilience into its economic development initiatives by promoting practices that reduce vulnerability to climate impacts. This includes training in climate-smart agriculture, supporting the diversification of income sources, and promoting sustainable natural resource management. By building resilient livelihoods, FRECHO ensures that communities are better equipped to adapt to climate change and sustain their economic activities in the long term.

FRECHO also engages in advocacy to influence policies that support economic development and improve livelihoods. The organization works with governments, local authorities, and other stakeholders to advocate for policies that promote fair trade, protect workers’ rights, and support small businesses. FRECHO’s advocacy efforts aim to create an enabling environment where all individuals have the opportunity to participate in and benefit from the economy.

Agroforestry, the integration of trees and shrubs into agricultural landscapes, is a key strategy promoted by FRECHO to enhance food security and improve livelihoods. This approach not only increases agricultural productivity but also provides additional sources of income through the sale of tree products such as fruits, nuts, and timber. Agroforestry also contributes to environmental conservation, making it a sustainable and multifaceted solution to economic and food security challenges.

Through its Economic Development and Livelihoods sector, FRECHO is making a significant impact on the communities it serves. By promoting sustainable agriculture, supporting SMEs, providing vocational training, and enhancing financial inclusion, FRECHO is helping individuals and families to secure better livelihoods and build economic resilience. The organization’s focus on empowering women, youth, and marginalized groups ensures that the benefits of economic growth are shared widely, contributing to more equitable and inclusive communities. FRECHO’s work in this sector is not just about improving incomes but about creating opportunities for lasting change, where economic development leads to improved quality of life and stronger, more self-reliant communities.