Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK)

The objective

To support 2,600 women in urban informal settlements in Nairobi and Mombasa with sustainable income-generation skills, business development support, and mental wellness resources – while enabling peer-to-peer training that expands the project’s reach to 7,800 additional women.

The issue

Women living in Nairobi and Mombasa’s informal settlements face entrenched challenges: unstable income, food insecurity, and limited access to mental health support. Even with small businesses, they often lack the training, resources, and markets to grow beyond subsistence.

Following the success of their Resilient Recovery programme, the Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya (AWAK) is scaling its model to ensure women not only recover – but thrive. This next phase will embed long-term income, self-reliance, and emotional resilience.

The Association of Women in Agriculture, Kenya

AWAK is a grassroots women-led organisation founded to empower low-income women in Kenya’s urban and peri-urban areas. The team supports sustainable livelihoods through agriculture, clean energy, and business innovation, with a strong focus on mental wellness and peer learning.

Find out more at Association of Women in Agriculture Kenya

The project

With a grant of £80,540 over 12 months, the Croda Foundation is supporting AWAK’s Thriving Beyond Recovery initiative to:

• Train 2,600 women in Nairobi and Mombasa in income-generating skills across:

1. Urban farming and food processing
2. Briquette production and clean energy
3. Baking and value-added food products
4. Business development and financial literacy

• Scale impact through a peer-learning model – each woman trained will train 3 more
• Establish support networks and cooperatives for long-term resilience
• Provide mental wellness training and community-based support
• Link women to government schemes and local technical partners, including:

1. Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI)
2. Department of Social Services
3. Ministry of Agriculture extension officers

The project will use certified equipment, access incubation hubs, and support product certification (e.g. for briquettes) to ensure women’s products are market-ready.

Impact

• 2,600 women trained directly in briquette making, baking, farming, and business skills
• 7,800 additional women trained via peer-to-peer model
• 39,000 indirect beneficiaries through improved household nutrition and income
• 80% of participants expected to sustain or grow businesses
• 30% average income increase within the first year post-project
• 90% of women report improved mental wellbeing
• Certified clean energy products placed in local markets and supermarkets