YPARD Benin’s ‘Fungi for Her Freedom’ Selected for MYCP Igniting Impact Micro-Grants Program

YPARD Benin has been selected as one of the recipients of the Migration Youth and Children Platform (MYCP) Igniting Impact Micro-Grants Program, an initiative supporting bold, youth-led solutions to pressing global challenges. This program aims to support youth-led initiatives tackling key global challenges, specifically those working in gender justice, health, human trafficking, and climate mobility, with grants ranging between €500–€750.

The micro-grant will fund YPARD Benin’s innovative project titled “Fungi for Her Freedom: Economic Empowerment Through Mushroom Farming.”

This youth-led initiative, grounded in gender justice, aims to economically empower 15 young women and displaced youth in the rural commune of N’dali, northern Benin. This region sees widespread gender inequality and limited livelihood opportunities. Systemic barriers such as poverty, land inaccessibility, social recognition, and climate-induced displacement leave many women economically and socially vulnerable. The project seeks to equip these women with practical skills in low-cost, eco-friendly mushroom cultivation, thereby strengthening their capacity to generate a sustainable income, build a network of solidarity, and promote gender justice and inclusive economic participation in rural agrifood systems.
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Empowering Young Women Through Mushroom Farming in Rural Benin

"Fungi for Her Freedom" addresses the core mission of the MYCP micro-grants by promoting youth leadership, climate-resilient livelihoods, and gender equality in an under-resourced region. The initiative integrates three key components:

1. Gender Justice Workshop: A sensitization session on women’s rights, gender equality, and the role of women in agrifood systems will create a safe and inclusive space for dialogue and awareness.
2. Mushroom Cultivation Training: A three-day, hands-on workshop will train 15 young women in sustainable mushroom farming techniques, including substrate preparation, inoculation, and post-harvest handling. Each participant will receive a complete starter kit to launch their own micro-farm.
3. Knowledge Sharing & Solidarity Building: A final reflection and peer learning workshop will enable participants to share their experiences, assess their progress, and collaboratively explore strategies for scaling their efforts.

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A Youth-Led, Community-Driven Model

YPARD Benin’s approach places young people at the center of every phase—from coordination and facilitation to peer mentoring and monitoring. Strong representation of young women (under 30) will be prioritized among the 15 participants selected for the mushroom cultivation training. These youth are often excluded from land access and formal employment, making them especially vulnerable to economic insecurity. By equipping them with practical skills and gender awareness, the project offers a pathway to economic independence and leadership. Additionally, the project targets displaced and climate-affected communities in N’dali, where many women have been forced to migrate due to environmental stress or economic hardship. Their inclusion ensures the initiative responds to real, localized needs while fostering resilience, community ties, and hope for a better future. By prioritizing displaced and climate-affected youth, the project ensures that its impact reaches those most in need. Participants will not only gain technical skills but also undergo transformative learning experiences that build their confidence, leadership, and solidarity.

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Long-Term Impact

The initiative aims to establish sustainable local enterprises led by empowered women, increasing their economic independence and resilience. By equipping participants with practical skills, starter kits, and mentorship, the project will enable them to generate income, improve their economic independence, and build resilient businesses, thereby promoting cooperative entrepreneurship and gender-inclusive development. The project’s impact will be monitored through pre- and post-training assessments, production and income tracking, and a six-month follow-up to evaluate sustainability and long-term benefits.
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A Shared Vision for Change

YPARD Benin’s selection for the MYCP Igniting Impact programme underscores the potential of youth-led, grassroots solutions to tackle entrenched challenges such as gender inequality and climate vulnerability. “Fungi for Her Freedom” exemplifies how targeted support, creative thinking, and community engagement can ignite meaningful and lasting change. The focus on gender awareness and cooperative entrepreneurship fosters long-term empowerment, creating a supportive community of women leaders.

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