Women For Zero Hunger Program
Each year, we open a call for applications, receiving over 600 submissions from organizations across the continent. 7 pre-finalists are selected to present their initiatives to a distinguished jury comprising representatives from Sodexo, Pluxee, and key ecosystem partners. 3 outstanding finalists are chosen to receive: Six months of personalized mentoring, workshop training and €10,000 of funding per association. One overall finalist is invited to Paris for our annual Stop Hunger Dinner to present their NGO on an international stage, as well as access to crowdfunding during the event and an additional €5,000. Our program has supported incredible women-led initiatives, including: Women Smiles Uganda, FarmSahel (Burkina Faso), ChildVoice (Uganda & Nigeria) and Woman of Age Foundation (South Africa).Previous Finalists
Sharon Monethi
(South Africa) 2024 winner, Woman of Age Foundation offers a sustainable solution to food security challenges with the Hydro Coop easily assembled, modular system which can raise 1500 broiler chickens and produce 3600 vegetable plants annually. The project supports women and youth with entrepreneurship and job creation in farming, maintenance, sales, and management, strengthening local economies and improving livelihoods.
Sonia Paiya
(Eswatini) 2024 finalist, Woman Farmer Foundation empowers, equips, promotes and advances the interests of Swazi women in the agricultural sector from subsistence level to commercial, especially women in rural areas, subsequently increasing food security and mitigating the issues of poverty and hunger in the country.
Purity Christine
Kenya, 2024 finalist, MamaPesa, is a tech-enabled project that uses AI to offer female farmers financial literacy training, savings options, access to farm inputs, equipment, and financing to carry out their agricultural activities.
Lilian Nakigiozi
2023 Winner, Women Smiles Uganda, builds adaptable vertical farms and trains women in sustainable urban farming to end hunger and poverty for poor households.
Madjalia Seynou
2023 finalist, FarmSahel creates food security and breaks the cycle of poverty for rural women of Burkina Faso, unlocking the potential of Sahel communities to achieve economic freedom through sustainable permaculture.
Conrad Mandsager
2023 finalist, ChildVoice provides enhanced agriculture and business training, plus supplemental food relief to adolescent girls in refugee communities in Uganda & Nigeria.
Thank you
This program has helped us become visible to the right connections and networks, which in turn has enabled us to grow as an organization and extend our reach to other marginalized communities.
Conversation with a mentor
Francois Blanckaert, SVP Supply Managemnt, Sodexo
WFZH Program Mentors
Our mentors, experts from Sodexo and Pluxee, provide personalized support to each finalist over six months. Through strategic guidance and practical advice, they help strengthen the impact and sustainability of the women-led initiatives selected for the program.