Our partner: Prido

In 2010, a group of dynamic and like-minded members of the indigenous community came together to form an organization aimed at addressing the challenges facing the Karene and Bombali districts of Sierra Leone.

These included a lack of agricultural development programs, food insecurity, environmental degradation, human rights abuses, and the social and economic marginalization of women and girls.

In response to these pressing issues, they founded Partners in Rural Integration and Development Organization – Sierra Leone (PRIDO). True to its name, PRIDO’s mission is grounded in community-led solutions.

Its activities span from capacity-building to direct service delivery, including sustainable farming, food production, environmental conservation, and the social and economic empowerment of women and girls. PRIDO also plays a vital role in integrating community peacebuilding processes.

Since its founding, the organization has grown into a key player in grassroots development, working to build resilient, inclusive communities across northern Sierra Leone.

What is the mission and long-term vision of PRIDO?

PRIDO's mission is to empower marginalized communities, particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities, by promoting sustainable agricultural practices and environmental stewardship.

Their aim is to enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and foster social equity through inclusive community development. They believe that empowering vulnerable groups uplifts economic conditions while strengthening community resilience and cohesion. Their long-term vision is to build a future where small-holder farmers in Sierra Leone are economically self-reliant, environmentally conscious, and socially empowered.

By 2033, PRIDO aims to expand from 30 to 100 farmer groups, cultivating both arable and tree crops using modern agroforestry and regenerative agricultural techniques. They envision establishing sustainable agricultural networks and distribution hubs that connect local farmers with national and international markets, ensuring fair value chains and long-term economic stability.

Through strategic partnerships, community-led programs, and continuous capacity-building, PRIDO is laying the foundation for resilient agro-based communities that can effectively confront climate change while contributing to Sierra Leone’s sustainable development. PRIDO’s work is rooted in the principles of equity, sustainability, and empowerment, paving the way for a prosperous and self-sufficient future.

Learn more about Prido!

What kind of programmes is PRIDO involved in?

PRIDO implements a wide range of projects focused on sustainable agriculture, environmental protection, and community development. Key initiatives include:

1. Agroforestry and regenerative agriculture: PRIDO promotes climate-smart farming techniques, such as agroforestry and regenerative agriculture, to improve soil fertility, increase biodiversity, and enhance crop yields. This approach not only boosts productivity but also ensures long-term environmental sustainability.
2. Economic tree crop planting and beekeeping: This initiative focuses on sustainable environmental protection through tree planting and beekeeping, contributing to carbon sequestration, land restoration, and alternative income generation for local communities.
3. Climate-smart agriculture for women and youth: In partnership with international organizations, PRIDO empowers women and youth small-holder farmers by providing skills training, improved seeds, and modern agricultural tools. This program enhances food security and fosters economic independence among marginalized groups.
4. Community reforestation and environmental management: By engaging schools and local communities in large-scale tree planting and reforestation projects, they promote environmental awareness and combat land degradation. These initiatives are vital in restoring biodiversity and mitigating climate change impacts.
5. Agricultural networks and distribution hubs: PRIDO establishes agricultural networks and distribution hubs that connect farmers to markets, ensuring fair value chains and economic sustainability. These hubs also offer essential inputs, extension services, and training to enhance productivity.

Travellers, volunteers, and supporters can get involved by participating in community training programs, supporting tree planting and reforestation projects, or contributing to capacity-building initiatives. By partnering with PRIDO, supporters play an essential role in empowering vulnerable communities, promoting environmental sustainability, and fostering economic resilience in Sierra Leone.

What key achievements has PRIDO made so far?

PRIDO has successfully implemented several impactful projects, including:

• “Economic Tree Crop Planting and Beekeeping For Sustainable Environmental Protection And Management Through Climate Smart Agricultural Practices For The Increase Of Carbon Sink And Control Land Degradation project” - Grantee of United Nations Program UNDP/SGP/GEF funding in Karene District.

• “Involving Schools and Communities on Reforestation to achieve and strengthen sustainable farming and climate change mitigation project” - Grantee of United Nations Program UNDP/SGP/GEF funding in Karene District.

• “Increasing rural women’s participation on climate-smart agriculture project” - Grantee of Trocaire/EU funding in Bombali District.

How does PRIDO ensure sustainability and ethical practices?

PRIDO is deeply committed to sustainability and ethical practices through its integrated approach to agriculture and environmental protection. By adopting climate-smart practices, they minimize environmental impact while boosting productivity and resilience against climate change.

Their initiatives prioritize the empowerment of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, ensuring social equity and community ownership. They engage local communities in decision-making processes, respecting traditional knowledge and cultural values. This participatory approach guarantees transparency and ethical practices across all levels of operation.

PRIDO also implements reforestation projects, community-based tree planting, and sustainable land management techniques, contributing to carbon sequestration and ecological restoration. By establishing distribution hubs and fair market systems, they ensure that small-holder farmers receive equitable compensation for their produce, fostering economic sustainability. Our commitment to ethical practices is further demonstrated through partnerships with government bodies and non-state actors, ensuring compliance with environmental and social governance standards.

How does the work of PRIDO engage with the local communities?

PRIDO’s success is deeply rooted in its community-centered approach. They actively engage with local communities through participatory planning, empowering them to take ownership of sustainable agricultural and environmental initiatives. By working directly with grassroots farmer groups—women, youth, and persons with disabilities—they ensure that all programmes are tailored to address community-specific needs, fostering social equity and economic resilience.

They prioritize capacity-building programs that enhance local skills in sustainable farming, land management, and environmental stewardship. These community training sessions focus on modern agroforestry techniques, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable livelihood strategies, enabling communities to thrive amidst climate challenges.

PRIDO also fosters community cohesion through the establishment of agricultural networks and distribution hubs, which connect small-holder farmers with markets, enhancing economic opportunities and reducing rural-urban migration. A notable success story is their reforestation initiative, which involved schools and local groups in tree planting and agroforestry projects, leading to increased community awareness and environmental protection.

Through continuous community engagement, transparent communication, and collaborative partnerships, PRIDO cultivates a culture of sustainability, resilience, and shared prosperity.

What are the main challenges PRIDO is facing?

PRIDO faces several significant challenges in its mission to promote sustainable agriculture and environmental protection in Sierra Leone. One of the primary challenges is low crop yields and poor-quality produce, which limit the competitiveness of local farmers in national and international markets. This is further exacerbated by land degradation, fragmentation, and the alarming decline in biodiversity.

Limited access to modern farming tools, equipment, and essential agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and agro-chemicals, remains a significant barrier, as they are often too expensive for small-holder farmers. Additionally, inadequate capacity-building programs and insufficient agricultural extension services hinder farmers from adopting modern, sustainable farming techniques.

The absence of organized crop production, processing, and marketing centers in the districts contributes to economic instability and limits farmers' market reach. This challenge is compounded by extreme poverty among vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities, leading to high rates of rural-to-urban migration.

Moreover, the lack of transnational cooperation and information-sharing networks restricts farmers' ability to combat diseases, pests, and climate change impacts effectively. To overcome these challenges, PRIDO seeks support in capacity building, funding for modern farming tools, and the establishment of community-based agricultural networks to enhance productivity, sustainability, and economic resilience.

For travelers and volunteers, PRIDO offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with grassroots communities, contribute to sustainable development, and be part of a transformative movement that uplifts vulnerable populations while safeguarding the environment. Supporting PRIDO means investing in a future of equity, sustainability, and hope for Sierra Leone.

What does the future hold for PRIDO?

The future for PRIDO is anchored in transformative growth and sustainable impact. In the short term, they aim to expand our farmer groups from 30 to 100, empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities to cultivate both arable and tree crops using modern agroforestry and regenerative farming techniques. This expansion will increase acreage per group from 40 to 100 hectares, enhancing food security and livelihoods while promoting sustainable environmental practices.

In the long term, PRIDO envisions establishing regional agricultural networks that facilitate production, processing, and distribution, ensuring small-holder farmers gain better market access and financial sustainability. They look forward to launching distribution hubs in strategic locations across Sierra Leone, providing essential inputs, training, and fair market opportunities. These hubs will bridge the gap between farmers and consumers, ensuring mutual benefits through equitable value chains.

Additionally, PRIDO will champion sustainable environmental protection through large-scale tree planting, reforestation, and climate-smart agricultural practices to counter climate change effects. By fostering peacebuilding and transitional cooperation, they aim to create resilient agro-based communities, reducing rural-urban migration and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

They are eager to collaborate with stakeholders, funders, and communities to realize this vision and create lasting impact in Sierra Leone’s agricultural landscape.

What should people know or do to best support PRIDO?

PRIDO seeks support in the form of capacity-building, skills development, and funding.

These resources will empower women and youth small-holder farmers, enhancing sustainable agricultural practices that improve food security and livelihoods while combating the adverse effects of climate change and rising food prices in Sierra Leone.

PRIDO invites the Conscious Explorer audience to support their mission by contributing to their capacity-building initiatives, advocating for sustainable environmental practices, and helping them to create resilient agro-based communities.

This support will play a pivotal role in fostering food security, sustainable livelihoods, and environmental stewardship in Sierra Leone.

Donate now and get involved!