Innovative Strategies of the Pathways Program
CARE’s Pathways program employs a range of innovative strategies to achieve its ambitious goals. Key among these are:
Prioritizing Gender Equality
Recognizing that hunger disproportionately affects women, the Pathways program places gender equality at the heart of its approach. By employing a women’s empowerment framework, CARE ensures interventions promote equality by addressing agency, structures, and relations. This comprehensive approach guarantees that the program actively dismantles systemic barriers and empowers women at multiple levels.
Farmers’ Field and Business Schools
Pathways utilizes Farmers’ Field and Business Schools, an experiential learning model that places farmers at the center of the educational process. These schools offer training not only in advanced agricultural techniques but also incorporate crucial sessions on nutrition, marketing strategies, and the importance of gender equality. This holistic education equips farmers with a diverse skillset necessary for sustainable success.
Push-Pull Approaches for Poverty Alleviation
The program implements “push-pull” approaches designed to facilitate communities’ sustainable exit from poverty. This model focuses on enhancing individuals’ skills and assets while simultaneously connecting them to viable market opportunities. By building capacity and fostering market linkages, Pathways ensures long-term economic empowerment.
Participatory Performance Tracking
To ensure community ownership and program responsiveness, Pathways utilizes a Participatory Performance Tracker. This tool empowers communities to assess the changes resulting from program interventions and actively participate in deciding subsequent steps. This collaborative approach ensures that the program remains aligned with community needs and priorities.
Engaging Men and Boys in Gender Equality
Pathways recognizes that achieving gender equality requires the engagement of all members of society. The program incorporates a framework that encourages both men and women to understand how more equitable relationships lead to greater collective success. By involving men and boys in the conversation, Pathways fosters a more inclusive and supportive environment for women’s empowerment.
Building Climate Resilience
With support from the Margaret A. Cargill Foundation, CARE is actively integrating climate resilience into all aspects of the Pathways program. This focus ensures that the agricultural and livelihood skills promoted are climate-resilient, equipping communities to withstand increasingly unpredictable agricultural conditions. This forward-thinking approach safeguards the long-term sustainability of program outcomes.
Demonstrable Program Success
Through the implementation of improved agricultural methods, Farmers’ Field and Business Schools, innovative marketing techniques, and education on nutrition and gender equality, CARE and participating communities have achieved significant impact. Since its inception, the Pathways program has demonstrated a substantial $31 return for every $1 invested in Ghana, Mali, and Malawi, showcasing the program’s effectiveness and efficiency in driving positive change.
