In July 2025, with support from TerraCircle’s micro-grant program, Women Initiative Gambia (WIG) brought together 100 women representing 50 community-based organizations for a one-day refresher training on sustainable business practices.
The training built on earlier soap-making and small business skills, this time placing strong emphasis on the connections between enterprise, ecology, and community wellbeing. Using nature-based metaphors like the “business tree” (roots = values, trunk = planning, branches = growth, fruit = impact), participants explored how their enterprises can thrive while protecting the environment.
Key impacts
- Women reported renewed motivation to improve product quality, reduce waste, and adopt eco-friendly practices.
- The training sparked stronger collaboration and solidarity, with women sharing real-life problem-solving approaches and business challenges.
- Most significantly, the 50 groups formally united to establish a federation: Women Entrepreneurs and Environmental Heroes (WEEH). This new umbrella body will amplify women’s collective voice, strengthen advocacy, and open access to policy spaces and markets.
Voices from the training
“The tree metaphor really opened my eyes. I now see my soap business not just as income, but as something that needs roots – values and planning.”
Mai Jallow, Sinchu Baya Women Entrepreneurs“For the first time, I understand sustainability in a real way. It’s about protecting our land, our water, and our future – not just making money today.”
Amie Cham, Nyanga Bantang Women Entrepreneurs“I now believe that we are not just small business owners – we are environmental heroes. Being part of WEEH gives us identity, voice, and power to shape our destiny.”
Maram Chebo Ceesay, Njau Women Entrepreneurs
Looking ahead
WEEH plans to become a platform for peer learning, innovation, and advocacy. With WIG’s mentorship, the federation will work on formal registration, governance, eco-friendly materials, and new training in climate-smart agriculture and social entrepreneurship.
This initiative shows how small grants can catalyze big change—transforming livelihoods into movements for resilience and ecological responsibility.
