Norway-backed project boosts education, livelihoods, and local leadership in Gorongosa’s Buffer Zone
The Gorongosa Restoration Project (GRP) is honored to share the latest progress report on the “Poverty Reduction in the Buffer Zone of Gorongosa National Park” initiative, generously funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Norway. Covering the period from October 2024 to March 2025, this report highlights transformative gains in education, agriculture, and economic resilience across Gorongosa’s communities.
Empowering girls, strengthening schools
Through its Girls Clubs, the project reached 45 schools—enrolling 2,250 girls and 450 boys, surpassing the initial goal of 1,500 girls. Results show promising academic gains: literacy proficiency among members rose to 42%, compared to 32% among non-members. Numeracy improved even more dramatically—26% for members versus 5.95% for others.
Additionally, 206 primary school teachers received training in active, inclusive teaching methods, directly benefiting 17,513 learners now experiencing more engaging, learner-centered classrooms.
The scholarship program also expanded its reach, offering full secondary education support to 62 vulnerable girls—up from 52 the previous year.
Coffee and cashews are becoming seeds of economic growth
Gorongosa Mountain coffee continues to thrive. Of 1,056 engaged farmers, nearly 64% now manage productive coffee plants. Household income from coffee climbed to an average of $400, with 10 top-performing farmers earning over $1,000 from the 2024 harvest.
Cashew production is also thriving. The project reached 4,413 producers—98% of the target. Over 2,100 have established productive orchards, and 140 secured formal off-take agreements with private-sector buyers. Cashew orchards were intercropped with maize, beans, and sesame, improving soil health and food security across 410 hectares.
Financial impact and future steps
In total, the project generated over USD 451,000 from value chains during this period—coffee ($163,942), honey ($10,293), cashew ($12,043), and ecotourism services ($265,329).
Ecotourism training also advanced, with 33 individuals trained in guiding and lodge management. Seventeen more are expected to be trained in the coming months to meet the project’s target of 50.
The financial execution rate stands at 92%, with NOK 75.6 million spent from the total budget of NOK 82 million. The remaining NOK 6.36 million is allocated for activities through August 2025. A financial audit for 2024 is underway and will be shared once complete.
Voices of impact
The full report includes detailed financials, an implementation plan for April to August 2025, and a new chapter featuring success stories from the field.
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