STRIVE Activity Brief #2: The Agriculture for Children's Empowerment (ACE) Project

The STRIVE project, funded by USAID's Displaced Children and Orphans Fund (DCOF) and managed by FHI 360, uses market-led economic strengthening initiatives to improve the well-being of vulnerable children. Through STRIVE, ACDI/VOCA is implementing the Agriculture for Children’s Empowerment (ACE) Project in Liberia, which is founded on the premise that increased household economic security will stimulate more consistent investments in children’s wellbeing via longer-term social investments in education and nutrition.  ACE’s primary focus is on the horticulture value chain (VC) — the production and marketing of vegetables by smallholder farmers in Montserrado, Bong, and Nimba counties of Liberia. ACE also strengthens smallholder rice farming to increase household food security using a market-sensitive approach to rice seed lending and cultivation. Throughout the project, ACE has adapted to a challenging environment to meet the needs of smallholders to enhance their livelihoods.

ACE was one of five country programs implemented under the STRIVE program, funded by the USAID Displaced Children and Orphans Fund, in close collaboration with the USAID Microenterprise Development office cooperative agreement. STRIVE is an Associate Award under the FIELD-Support LWA.