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Hand in Hand International: Annual Impact Report 2024 – 25

Posted on by jglyn@hihinternational.org

Hand in Hand International’s Annual Impact Report is a snapshot of the difference we’ve made for women entrepreneurs over the past financial year – made possible by the generous support of our partners and funders.

Last year, we continued to demonstrate why women’s economic empowerment is vital to tackling poverty. When women can earn and control their own incomes, they lift their families out of poverty and ignite local economies

At the heart of our what we do is our locally-led approach – our network is a model built on the belief that communities themselves hold the keys to their own growth. Because each one our network partners is fully independent, they can go where the need is greatest – quickly embedding in the communities they serve.

Key achievements:

    • Expanded reach: New branches opened in Kunduz, Afghanistan and Singida, Tanzania, meaning we now operate in five provinces in Afghanistan, 30 in Kenya, and six in Tanzania.
    • 1.3 million jobs created across our global network, bringing our cumulative total to 11,390,476 jobs since inception.
    • 80% of women we work with have the power to make decisions about the things that affect their lives.*
    • 40% of programme participants report being able to withstand a financial shock without borrowing money or selling assets.*
    • Entrepreneurs trained by Hand in Hand saw an average increase in net profit of 121%.*
    • To date, we have reached 39,700 smallholder farmers across Kenya and Tanzania with regenerative agriculture training, which boosts soil health and improves biodiversity. On average, those who fully transition to regenerative methods increased their incomes by 115%, thanks to reduced input costs and higher yields. Last year, we took our message to COP in Baku, calling for smallholder farmers – who produce one-third of the world’s food – to be equipped with the skills and resources needed to restore the land they steward.
    • Despite ongoing restrictions, Hand in Hand continues to operate across five provinces in Afghanistan, reaching around 7,000 entrepreneurs this year. Beyond livelihoods, these small groups provide essential social support, helping women overcome isolation and poor mental health.
    • Last year, nearly 25,000 people – including husbands and community leaders – took part in sessions designed to challenge restrictive gender norms that prevent women making the most of their businesses.
    • We are also running one of East Africa’s largest randomised controlled trials (RCTs), reaching 4,500 women in 144 Tanzanian villages, to measure how far engaging with men can amplify women business owner’s profits
    • We equipped 6,500 existing entrepreneurs – 80% of them women – with the tools and confidence to scale up their enterprises, through our ‘acceleration training’ – boosting incomes by an average of 77%, through digital and financial skills, market connections, mentoring and access to credit.

*(Endline results from 19 projects representing approximately 73,000 participants over the last three years.)

Read the report here.

Tribute to Percy Barnevik, Co-Founder of Hand in Hand International

Posted on by jglyn@hihinternational.org

It is with great sadness that we have learned of the death of Hand in Hand International’s Co-Founder and Honorary Chairman, Percy Barnevik.

Amalia Johnsson, Hand in Hand International CEO, said: “We are deeply saddened by the news and our thoughts are with Percy’s family. Percy will be greatly missed by all who knew and worked with him. His belief – that with the right skills and training, people can find their own way out of poverty – became the foundation of Hand in Hand. As he once said, ‘Hand in Hand is my last, my biggest and my most important project.’

“For over a decade, Percy brought his extraordinary energy, influence, and business acumen to building a global organisation that has created more than 10 million jobs and transformed countless communities. He often signed his letters ‘Your Friend’ – and to Hand in Hand staff across the world, he was that and more: a champion and an inspiration. His unwavering optimism and commitment to fighting poverty through entrepreneurship will continue to guide us. He will be sorely missed by all his friends and colleagues at Hand in Hand.”

Bruce Grant, Chair of Hand in Hand International, said: “My thoughts are with Percy’s family and his many friends. Yet the sadness of his death also illuminates the legacy of his life: a global organization to help tens of millions find their own route out of poverty through grassroots entrepreneurship – indeed a life of great success and significance.”

Women’s resilience celebrated at Hand in Hand’s House of Commons reception

Posted on by jglyn@hihinternational.org

On Tuesday, 20th May, Hand in Hand supporters came together to honour the resilience of women entrepreneurs fighting poverty in some of the world’s toughest places.

The event took place in the historic Churchill Room at the House of Commons and was generously hosted by Uma Kumaran MP.

Over drinks and canapés, journalist and broadcaster Roger Hearing led a lively discussion on why women are key to ending poverty. He was joined by Hand in Hand CEO Amalia Johnsson, Councillor and campaigner Amina Ali, and writer and entrepreneur Effie Hwande.

Guests also heard powerful stories from Florence Ngou, a clothing retailer; Alice Wanjiku, a bakery owner; Monica Wanja, a dairy entrepreneur; and Maureen Njue, a salon owner. The four Kenyan women had worked together to create a moving video to show on the night.

Once struggling to put food on the table, these resilient entrepreneurs – thanks to support from Hand in Hand – have built thriving businesses, transformed their families’ lives, and inspired hope for future generations.

Speaking after the event, Hand in Hand CEO Amalia Johnsson, said: “It was a true privilege to share a room with so many of our long-standing  supporters, as well as friends old and new.

“As I said last night: One in four women in Africa is an entrepreneur. That’s millions of women like Florence, Alice, Monica, and Maureen. With the right support, these women are an unstoppable force – one that will ignite entire economies.”

Entrepreneurs in Nairobi’s informal settlements boost profits by 121%, thanks to Hand in Hand and Happel Foundation

Posted on by jglyn@hihinternational.org

A new programme by Hand in Hand International and the Happel Foundation is transforming the lives of entrepreneurs in Nairobi’s informal settlements. Equipped with new skills and resources, 1,000 small business owners in Kenya have seen their profits skyrocket by an average of 121% – equivalent to an additional USD 156 a month.

Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, employing 15 million people and contributing 40% to the country’s GDP. Yet, 98% of these businesses remain microenterprises, struggling with limited market access and scalability. To address these challenges, Hand in Hand and Happel Foundation launched ‘Driving Innovation, Growth, and Income Through Invigorating Small Enterprise’ (DIGITISE).

The three-year initiative will equip 3,000 entrepreneurs – more than 80% of whom are women, to scale up their businesses, providing advanced business training, support to access credit as well as coaching and mentoring. In addition to core business training, the programme will also test the effectiveness of including a digital curriculum to help business owners master e-commerce and digital tools to help their businesses grow.

The initial results from the digital training are compelling: entrepreneurs who received digital marketing and e-commerce training reported earning KES 5,000 (USD 108) more in revenue than those who did not. However, only 49% of those trained adopted digital practices, highlighting the need for further intervention to drive adoption – especially for women, who face greater barriers to smartphone ownership and internet access.

Alexander Lanz, Managing Director, Happel Foundation, said: “Micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) are the backbone of Kenya’s economy, yet the vast majority of these business owners struggle to scale, facing systemic barriers to growth – instead, subsisting on or just above the poverty line.

“Through the DIGITISE programme, we are providing these entrepreneurs with not just skills, but also market linkages, credit access, and digital tools to grow their businesses, and galvanize local economies”

Nick Lynch-Staunton, Head of Programmes, Acceleration and Climate, Hand in Hand International, said: “These results confirm that digital marketing has a tangible impact on revenue and profit. As we move forward with cohorts two and three, we will focus on breaking down barriers to digital adoption, particularly those facing women, ensuring even more entrepreneurs in under-served communities can take part in the digital economy, earning more and lifting their families out of poverty for good.”

Amalia Johnsson appointed CEO of Hand in Hand International 

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Hand in Hand International is pleased to announce the appointment of Amalia Johnsson as its new CEO. Amalia, currently serving as Deputy CEO, will succeed Dorothea Arndt, who has led the organisation since 2015. 

Amalia Johnsson joined Hand in Hand International five years ago, bringing extensive experience from both the private and non-profit sectors. Her expertise spans financial inclusion, gender equality and rural livelihoods – all central to Hand in Hand’s mission to equip women with the skills and resources they need to ignite economies and shape the future they want. Prior to Hand in Hand, Amalia held leadership roles at Plan International UK and the OECD. 

Outgoing CEO Dorothea Arndt said: “Leading Hand in Hand has been the greatest privilege of my career so far, and I am confident that Amalia will take the organisation to even greater heights. Her passion for our mission and her vision for the future will ensure we continue to deliver lasting impact for women and communities across the globe.” 

Commenting on her appointment, Amalia said: “I am honoured to lead Hand in Hand International at such an exciting and pivotal time. Dorothea has left an extraordinary legacy, and I look forward to working with our talented team, partners, and supporters to deepen our impact and equip even more women with the tools they need to lift themselves and their families out of poverty.”  

Bruce Grant, Chair of Hand in Hand International’s Board of Trustees, said: “We are excited to see Amalia lead Hand in Hand International into its next phase, expanding our operations into six countries, delivering East Africa’s largest randomized control trial on how challenging gender norms boosts women’s incomes, and equipping 50,000 smallholders to restore degraded soils and tackle rural poverty.” 

“I also want to thank Dorothea for her dedication to the most critical cause on our planet – eradicating severe global poverty. Her intellect, energy and warm personality have delighted our board and the management team, and I personally wish her all the best in her future life and career.”  

Hand in Hand’s saffron project attains vital ISO certification

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A pioneering initiative to lift saffron farmers in Afghanistan out of poverty has hit a new milestone, with producers involved in the project successfully securing ISO certification. The certification not only signifies compliance with international standards but, crucially, gives the product a competitive edge in the global marketplace.

Funded by Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the Danida Market Development Partnerships Programme, the Organic Growth project aims to develop Afghanistan’s saffron value chain, creating jobs and tackling poverty.

Over the last few years, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has become more severe, with the World Food Programme (WFP) estimating more that more than a third of the country’s population is facing food insecurity. The Organic Growth project targets rural areas in the Herat province, where jobs are scarce, and is set to reach 3,000 farmworkers and processors.

Hand in Hand Afghanistan Executive Director, Dr Kamran Hekmati, said: “Five independent saffron companies who are taking part in the project have been awarded ISO 22000, which is a tremendous achievement and means the saffron they produce can now be sold on the international market, commanding a higher price. That money will directly benefit farmers in some of the country’s most deprived rural communities, so families can afford safe housing, medicine and put food on the table.”

An update on Hand in Hand’s operations in Afghanistan

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As you will know, the de-facto authorities banned women from working in NGOs on 24 December. In response to the ban, Hand in Hand Afghanistan, alongside other national and international NGOs, temporarily paused operations, working with Agency Coordinating Body for Afghan Relief and Development (ACBAR) and the UN to call for the ban to be reversed.

Over the last year, the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan has become more severe, with the World Food Programme (WFP) estimating acute malnutrition is above emergency thresholds in 25 out of 34 provinces, and almost half of children under 5 requiring life-saving nutrition support in the next 12 months. To meet the staggering levels of need, Hand in Hand, like the majority of NGOs operating in Afghanistan, is seeking practical concessions to enable us to continue delivering vital development and humanitarian assistance to women, men and their families, for example via sectoral exceptions.

Hand in Hand Afghanistan has over 12 years experience working with vulnerable communities in some of the most remote regions of the country. Through these longstanding links we have been able to find local solutions that allow us to directly reach women and men with livelihoods training and, increasingly, vital humanitarian aid, while protecting the safety of our staff and the people we support.

Giving women the confidence to lead: Boeing project transforms lives in rural Tanzania  

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A two-year project in Arusha Region, Tanzania that gives women the skills and confidence they need to launch their own enterprises has lifted more than 1,600 people out of poverty, as well as giving 542 women vital leadership skills.

The scheme was delivered by Hand in Hand East Africa and funded by Boeing.

In rural Arusha, the majority of the women we work with live below the poverty line. Because of the training, women participants’ average monthly wage increased from USD 1.53 to USD 45.20.

One of the most important parts of the programme is the leadership skills component, which gives women the confidence to speak up and make their voices heard. After the training, 86 percent of the women we asked said they are now able to make decisions for themselves both at home and within their businesses, an increase of almost 30 percent. Many of these women are now also stepping up to take on leadership roles within their communities.

The project is just a part of Boeing’s commitment to transforming the lives of women and young people in rural Tanzania. Working with Hand in Hand, they expect to train more than 4,000 women and young people by 2025 creating 4,000 jobs and lifting 10,000 people out of poverty.

Jane Sabuni, Tanzania Country Manager for Hand in Hand Eastern Africa, said: “As literacy in the area is low, our trainers use oral storytelling techniques to teach leadership skills. These skills don’t just help women succeed in business, they give them the confidence to make have their say when it comes to household spending, their children’s education, and the issues in the community that matter to them.”

Hand in Hand CEO, Dorothea Arndt, said: “When women earn and control their own incomes we see a reduction in household poverty and vulnerability to financial shocks. By investing in women’s skills and potential Boeing is transforming the lives of thousands of Tanzanian families, and we are enormously grateful for their ongoing support.”

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META), said: “At Boeing, we are committed to building better communities worldwide through focused investment that help break poverty cycles. Empowering women can bring paradigm shifts towards economic growth. We’re proud of our five year old partnership with Hand in Hand.”

Hand in Hand and The Coca Cola Foundation partner for cleaner Nairobi streets

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The project will help create 525 micro recycling businesses over two years

Hand in Hand International is excited to announce The Coca-Cola Foundation has committed US $150,000 toward ‘Women in Waste’ a two-year project to help solve the plastic waste crisis and economically empower women in Nairobi, Kenya. The initiative will help create 525 micro-recycling businesses that will clear and recycle tonnes of plastic rubbish left on the streets of Nairobi’s informal settlements.

Hand in Hand will give 750 people (who, on average live on US $2 per day) the business and technical training they need to create or, in some cases, enhance their recycling businesses. With Hand in Hand’s help these waste entrepreneurs will have access to the credit they need to begin collecting, sorting as well as compressing and baling plastic waste to sell on to private and government waste contractors.

Importantly, 80 percent of those 750 people will be women. But, it’s not just about economic equality. We know that when women earn – and decide how they spend it – it reduces poverty for everyone. More children in school, and more families with access to healthcare.

Dorothea Arndt, Hand in Hand International CEO, said, “Programs that improve the world we live in and empower wonderful and inspiring women are the lifeblood of what we do. Like The Coca-Cola Foundation, we hold empowering women at our core.”

The Coca-Cola Foundation’s partnership with Hand in Hand is just one of the ways the Foundation is working to empower women across the globe. By the time the project completes in September 2024, the 525 waste enterprises will support hundreds of jobs which, based on similar programs operated by Hand in Hand in Nairobi, could increase daily incomes by 30 percent.

Saadia Madsbjerg, President of The Coca-Cola Foundation, said, “We are proud to use our resources to fund these types of programs. Since 1984, The Coca-Cola Foundation has committed itself to supporting sustainable community programs. With this particular program, 80% of the beneficiaries of this grant will be women, who will have a better chance at improving their livelihoods. As such, we will not only have a cleaner Nairobi, but we will also have a more economically empowered one, with more women actively making a positive difference in their settlements and communities.”

Nairobi’s informal settlements are home to some 2.5 million people (60% of the city’s population). Because these are informal settlements there is no infrastructure and rubbish from all over the city is dumped on their streets.
Nicole, Hand in Hand graduate and plastic recycling entrepreneur, Nairobi, said: “We realized there was no garbage holding site…and the garbage collectors were not doing their work. We decided to do something (about the garbage) that will also benefit the community.”

Boeing launches new project to fight poverty and tackle the stereotypes that hold women back

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Boeing and Hand in Hand are launching a new project in Arusha Region, Tanzania to support women to beat the odds and succeed as entrepreneurs, lifting 600 families above the poverty line. The project will work closely with women, men and with the wider community to challenge traditional attitudes towards women’s roles that prevent women from earning and controlling their own incomes, and from having a say at home or in their communities.

Arusha Region has some of the highest levels of poverty in the country. Record droughts in the country have resulted in increased food insecurity, which is particularly acute in rural areas like Arusha where most people depend on what they can grow to feed their families. Tanzanian women earn, on average, a third of what men do. They are also expected to be solely responsible for domestic work and childcare, leaving little time to earn an income.

This project will give women the skills and confidence to start their own businesses, as well as working with their husbands, fathers, brothers and male community leaders to shift cultural expectations around what a woman’s role should be.

The project is just a part of Boeing’s commitment to transforming the lives of women and young people in rural Tanzania. Working with Hand in Hand, they expect to create 4,000 jobs for women and young people by 2025, lifting 10,000 people out of poverty.

Jane Sabuni, CEO at Hand in Hand Tanzania, said: “Women can play a crucial role in helping households escape poverty but many are constrained from earning an income by longstanding cultural norms. By working with men, we show them that when women are able to work outside the home they can contribute to the family finances and everyone benefits.”

Kuljit Ghata-Aura, President of Boeing Middle East, Turkey and Africa (META), said: “We know when women are given the skills and confidence they need to become leaders, whole communities benefit. Boeing’s partnership with Hand in Hand is just one of the ways we are working to tackle gender inequality and help women reach their full potential.”

Hand in Hand CEO, Dorothea Arndt, said: “By investing in women’s skills and potential, Boeing is transforming the lives of thousands of Tanzanian families, and we are enormously grateful for their ongoing support.”