Helping vulnerable people become entrepreneurs

In Guinea, the reconstruction of survivors of conflict-related sexual violence is not limited to judicial recognition. It also requires economic autonomy and the ability to project themselves. In September 2009, in Conakry, a peaceful demonstration was brutally repressed by security forces. Many women were subjected to extremely serious sexual violence. These acts had serious repercussions: social stigmatization, loss of income, isolation. The Global Survivors Fund (GSF), founded by Dr Denis Mukwege and Nadia Murad, has launched its first interim restorative measures pilot project in Guinea, built with 158 survivors. Wakili, a social microfinance institution created by Entrepreneurs du Monde, played a key role. It has built a personalized support system to strengthen the survivors' power to act. By opening personal accounts for each survivor, Wakili first guaranteed the security of compensation payments, protecting them from social and family pressures. It then deployed a tailor-made financial education program: budget management, savings, investment in income-generating activities. This support has enabled the women to (re)start a business and sustainably improve their living conditions. The results are tangible: renewed confidence, rebuilding family ties, reintegration into the community. To this day, Wakili continues to support numerous participants. This model is now fuelling advocacy for a national policy and paving the way for a replicable approach in other contexts.

The recent typhoons in the Philippines left thousands of people without electricity for several days. Each storm is a reminder of how fragile the power grid remains in rural areas, how essential access to solar energy is to cope with power cuts, and how much sense ATE Co's mission makes! For the past ten years, ATE Co, a Filipino social enterprise created by Entrepreneurs du Monde, has been providing vulnerable communities in Rizal and Samar with solar-powered equipment for lighting, cooling and access to information. An innovative partnership with social microfinance Despite the payment facilities offered by ATE Co, access to this equipment remains difficult for very low-income families. In September 2025, a pilot project was launched with microfinance institution SCPI, which serves isolated fishing and farming communities. SCPI's beneficiaries now have privileged access to ATE Co's solar equipment. Building on this experimentation, ATE Co will replicate this model. An evolving technical offering The team has diversified its offering to meet families' needs. In addition to essential products (lighting, ventilation and information access kits), ATE Co now offers small equipment: radios, small fans, mobile lamps etc., while maintaining high quality standards and a committed social charter. New avenues to explore The team is studying the possibility of setting up in new isolated but accessible areas, and is multiplying product demonstrations and village meetings to raise community awareness.