Ecosystem Restoration Communities Foundation, in partnership with Ajeves Togo and Iroko DFS are implementing the EU Vowers Project Co-Funded by the European Union in the framework of the European Solidarity Corps. This innovative project aims to encourage young Europeans to engage in humanitarian aid in Togo, Ecuador and Peru as part of the EU Solidarity Corps programme. 

Ecosystem Restoration Communities’ role in the project is to help with selecting suitable volunteers, equip volunteers travelling to Togo with educational materials on restoration activities, and general preparedness (including cultural preparedness) ahead of their mission. Our role is also to support them and offer guidance before, during and after during their stay, and to communicate project outcomes widely.

Volunteers deployed to Togo will first receive training on beekeeping, regenerative agriculture and entrepreneurship so they can work hand-in-hand with rural women in two villages – Agome Eyoh and Danyi Apéyemé – and introduce skills to help improve their livelihoods, advance women’s empowerment, and promote forest restoration. More specifically, the role of the volunteers will be to:

• Develop a sustainable beekeeping program that increases women’s income while helping to restore and protect native forests
• Host hands-on permaculture workshops in collaboration with local partners, promoting climate-resilient farming techniques
• Raisie awareness around water management and hygiene, especially for women and children
• Support community-led waste management, empowering women to lead local environmental efforts
• Foster women’s entrepreneurship through training and small-scale income-generating and cultural initiatives