About

Projects & Programs

Transforming Lives, Building Communities

Community-led, evidence-informed programs that advance the rights, well-being, and economic inclusion of Historically Marginalized People in Rwanda.

Our Approach

COPORWA designs and delivers programs that advance the rights, well-being, and economic inclusion of Historically Marginalized People (HMP) in Rwanda. Our projects are community-led, evidence-informed, and aligned with national policies.

Gender Equality & GBV Prevention

Human Rights & Legal Empowerment

Livelihoods Development

Culture & Environment

Community Safeguarding

Current Projects

Active initiatives making a difference across Rwanda

Ongoing

Nyaruguru District

District Program — Nyaruguru

Partnership with ACORD Rwanda

Capacity building among 220 women from historically marginalized families on resilience to the effects of gender and climate intersection through traditional “intwatwa” dances, sketches, vegetable gardens and improved stoves in the Nyaruguru district.

Key Activities:

Awareness-raising seminars and workshops on the impacts of climate change and the interrelationships between gender and climate.

Group discussions on gender and climate issues

Use of traditional "intwatwa" dances for climate resilience - through community performances and events to raise awareness of the effects of climate change

Organization of community performances to raise awareness of the impacts of climate change.

Expected Results:

A) Strengthened capacity of 220 women to build resilience to the intersectional effects of gender and climate.

b) Raised community awareness through traditional dance performances and sketches, reaching at least 2,000 people.

c) Creation of 220 vegetable gardens to enable women to increase their food self-sufficiency.

d) Reduced women's vulnerability to the effects of climate change.

Ongoing

Musanze District

Women's Capacity for Biodiversity & Climate Resilience

Partnership with REPALEAC/RRI/ CLARIFI

Capacity building of 100 Historically Marginalized Women in Musanze District in biodiversity conservation and climate resilience through traditional “intwatwa” dances, skits, vegetable gardens and improved cookstoves.

Key Activities:

Training of 60 historically marginalized women from Musanze district and 40 women representing historically marginalized families at the national level on biodiversity and climate resilience.

Establishment of vegetable gardens for food self-sufficiency of historically marginalized women in Rwanda's Musanze district in the face of crises caused by climate change.

Promote the use of improved stoves to reduce wood consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Expected Results:

60 historically marginalized women from the Musanze district are trained on biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

40 women representing historically marginalized peoples at the national level are trained on biodiversity and climate resilience.

Traditional "intwatwa" dances are organized to raise awareness among the local community about biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in the Musanze district.

• Performances (sketches) are presented to raise awareness about biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.

Ongoing

Bugesera District

Nutrition & Food Security Support

Partnership with UNOPS/UNDP

Improve household nutrition and reduce food insecurity through capacity building and support.

Key Activities:

Kitchen garden and small livestock packages

Nutrition and food preparation training

Social protection and health services linkages

Expected Results:

More diverse diets, improved child and maternal nutrition, and resilient household food systems.

Ongoing

Gisagara District.

Equality & GBV Prevention for HMP Women

Partnership with Forum of Indigenous Women (FIMI)

Prevent GBV and strengthen protection for women in 310 HMP households through awareness and referral systems.

Key Activities:

Community awareness sessions on GBV prevention

Training community volunteers for safe referrals

Support women's groups and peer networks

Expected Results:

Increased reporting and safe referrals; community attitudes that reject GBV; stronger protection networks.

ONGOING

Nyamagabe District

Radio Broadcast Campaign to Raise Awareness on the Rights of Historically Marginalized People

Partnership with Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)

This pilot project aims to raise public awareness on the legal and human rights of Historically Marginalized People (HMPs) through radio broadcasting in Nyamagabe District. By using radio as an inclusive and accessible medium, the project promotes dialogue between local authorities, marginalized communities, and the general public.

Key Activities:

Production and broadcast of radio programs focusing on the rights of HMPs

Live and recorded radio talk shows featuring HMP representatives, local leaders, and human rights actors

Interactive call-in sessions allowing community members to ask questions and share views

Awareness messages addressing discrimination, inclusion, and equality before the law

Expected Results:

At least 10,000 listeners reached across the targeted districts through radio broadcasts.

Increased knowledge and awareness among communities and local authorities on the rights of Historically Marginalized People.

Improved public discourse on inclusion, equity, and non-discrimination.

Strengthened representation and visibility of HMP voices in mainstream media.

Enhanced collaboration between civil society organizations, media outlets, and government actors.

Active Projects

310+

HMP Households

Partner Organizations

Districts Covered

Flagship Initiatives

Representative examples of our impactful partnerships

End Gender-Based Violence in Rwanda

Partnership with Norwegian People's Aid (NPA)

Contribute to the reduction of GBV prevalence by strengthening accountability of leaders, enabling anti-GBV structures to deliver on operational plans, and promoting the implementation of gender equality policies at community, district, and national levels.

Our Approach: Accountability dialogues, capacity building for local structures, community mobilization, and support for policy implementation.

Promoting Equality & Reducing GBV in Rwanda

Partnership with United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF)

Raise awareness and build the capacity of community volunteers to prevent GBV and support survivors through identification, safe referral, and advocacy.

Our Approach: Volunteer training, community awareness campaigns, survivor-centered referrals.