Mozambique

We Effect has been active in Mozambique since 2003, with the aim to improve the livelihood of people living in poverty, particularly those that are from rural areas and especially women.

There are currently two offices in Mozambique; the Country Office in the capital Maputo and a Programme Office in Lichinga, the provincial capital of Niassa. We Effect changed its name to We Effect from Centro Cooperativo Sueco in 2013.

We Effect’s main work includes the mobilisation of resources and organisational capacity building of our partners, to enable them to effectively meet the member driven services of their membership in a sustainable manner – and to ensure members claim their rights.

In Mozambique, We Effect supports farmers’ organisations and organisations working with natural resources and the right to land. The support is about strengthening civil society and informing people living in poverty about their rights and about local democracy, so that they can increase their influence over power-makers. We Effect also works with rural development and gender equality issues.

In Southern Africa, study circles are an important tool for improving the living conditions for women and men living in poverty in rural areas. The study circle is a small learning group of 5-15 people that have voluntarily come together to learn about a particular subject of mutual interest. This self-governing group holds regular meetings which are collectively scheduled to carry out the study plan. Study circles aim at developing capacity and competence through interactive exchange of scientific and indigenous knowledge within the study group and during field and look & learn visits. This ultimately leads to increased resilience and improved productivity/production, group savings and loans and local business development. The study circles currently have over 400,000 members regionally and the regional study circle resource centre is based in Zambia.

Smallholder farmers have challenges accessing affordable loan products and other forms of credit from formal financial institutions, for financing and developing their businesses. Therefore We Effect – through our partner organisations – also supports the right holders to be involved in financial services where saving and loan groups, financial literacy and linkages to formal financial services are key concepts and approaches.

Mozambique, with a population of approximately 32.4 million people in 2023, faces significant socio-economic challenges. Nearly half of the population is under the age of 15, indicating a young demographic. The country has one of the lowest rankings on the Human Development Index, positioned at 185 out of 191 countries, and 61.9% of the population is considered multidimensionally poor. Additionally, 13.9% are vulnerable to multidimensional poverty, illustrating widespread deprivation across multiple sectors, including education, health, and living standards.

Food insecurity is a major issue in Mozambique, as reflected in its ranking of 106 out of 116 on the Global Hunger Index. More than half of the population cannot afford a nutritious diet, and 38% of children under five suffer from stunting, a condition exacerbated by conflict, irregular rainfall, high food prices, extreme weather events, and corruption. Housing challenges are also prevalent, with about 80% of the population lacking access to dignified housing. Many urban residents live in informal settlements, particularly in flood-prone areas, further exacerbating their vulnerability to extreme weather events and lacking adequate infrastructure and housing finance.

Mozambique is also significantly affected by internal displacement and climate change. In 2024, around 112,894 people were displaced due to conflict in the northern province of Cabo Delgado, with children making up 62% of this population. The country’s vulnerability to climate change is heightened by its geographical location, socio-economic factors, and frequent extreme weather events, including floods, droughts, and cyclones. These challenges are compounded by high levels of poverty, reliance on subsistence agriculture, and inadequate infrastructure, making recovery from climate-related disasters difficult for many communities.

Gender inequality remains a critical issue in Mozambique, with high rates of child marriage, adolescent births, and gender-based violence. Despite some progress in political representation and legal frameworks promoting gender equality, significant disparities persist, especially in rural areas. Organizations like We Effect work in Mozambique to address these vulnerabilities, focusing on empowering marginalized communities, promoting food security, gender equality, climate change resilience, and sustainable development to break the cycle of poverty.

Results in Mozambique

• In Mozambique, a total of 6,555 rights holders have been supported, including 2,132 women, 1,427 men, 1,451 female youth, and 1,545 male youth.
• Four cooperatives have been empowered, comprising two national farmers’ unions and two district cotton unions.
• Additionally, 882 women have gained access to essential resources, and 215 farmers have shifted to organic and climate-resilient farming practices.
• Moreover, 1,085 families have been supported across all five partner organizations, contributing to improved livelihoods and resilience in local communities.