Project presented by Kynarou

Setting up a waste management system to generate income for women in villages in Tamil Nadu (India)

Women's actions in favor of the environment

In four disadvantaged villages in southern India, Kynarou is working to improve the living conditions of the Untouchables, a caste that is still discriminated against. The association has already carried out successful water, hygiene and vegetable garden projects. The current project aims to introduce integrated waste management, providing an income for women who produce vermi-compost and fuel briquettes.

To date, the entire population has been made aware of waste management, the desired waste management system has been established in each village, 120 women have been trained to produce vermi-compost and 48 to produce briquettes, and women's management committees are up and running, considerably strengthening women's leadership within these communities.The project complements the association's other actions aimed at sustainably improving living conditions. The sustainability of the approach is also ensured by its alignment with public objectives and a micro-enterprise model. Nearly 4,000 people are already benefiting from the project's impact.

The association plans to extend the project to Togo and Benin.

Use of the prize :
The Public Choice Award will both enhance the current project and support the implementation of a new project, Suttham, to be launched in 2023 in 7 Indian villages. This program aims to develop activities linked to waste collection, in which women are the main players. It includes the construction/rehabilitation of drinking water networks, the construction of sanitary facilities, the provision of washable sanitary towels and the creation of family vegetable gardens.