Production of a photovoice report on the contribution of farmer groups in enhancing food security in Kenya and Ethiopia

A. IntroductionSolidaridad is an international solution-oriented civil society organization working through regional expertise centers to transform markets to make them more sustainable and inclusive. Our network consists of seven regional expertise centers: Asia, East and Central Africa, West Africa, Southern Africa, Europe, Latin America, and North America. In East and Central Africa, Solidaridad is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya with country offices and programmes in Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda. We bring together supply chain players and engage them with innovative solutions to improve production, ensuring the transition to a sustainable and inclusive economy that maximizes the benefit for all. We facilitate the strengthening of local capacity in developing countries, support the creation of enabling environments for economies to thrive, and improve market access.B. Program SummarySolidaridad, with funding from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is implementing a food security program in Kenya and Ethiopia titled ACTING NOW FOR FOOD SECURITY AND RESILIENT FOOD SYSTEMS (ACTING NOW PROGRAM). The program has been running since 2023 and will end in 2025. In Kenya, the program intended to reach 70,000 smallholder farmers (of which 60% are women) from Kwale, Makueni, and Taita Taveta Counties. The program also intended to support 15 cooperatives and producer hubs that can deliver production and marketing services in the mentioned counties. In Ethiopia, the aim is to improve the resilience of 20,000 smallholder farmers (of which 60% are women) from Butajira in the Central Ethiopia Region, and 13 cooperatives and 2 farmer unions are supported to deliver production and marketing services.C. Objective of the AssignmentTo implement a participatory Photovoice process with smallholder farmers / farmer groups, and to produce a fully designed high-quality, print-ready report that answers the following learning questions through farmers’ photographs, captions and collective analysis:1. How do farmer groups help improve food availability, access, and stability for their members’ households? 2. How does being active in farmer groups (formal/structured vs. informal) help members get better access to services like extension advice, weather/climate information, seeds/inputs, loans, or insurance? 3. What do women farmers photograph and narrate about their roles, challenges, and gains in building household/cooperative resilience?D. The Steps PhotoVoice Methodology* Participatory photographyWhere farmer(s) take photographs that capture their current farming realities, integration of local food crops, livestock, regenerative practices being introduced, access to farm inputs/services, market linkages, and signs of resilience or change.* Captioning and storytellingEach photograph is accompanied by the farmer(s) own caption, quote or short personal story that explicitly describes challenges faced before joining groups (e.g., low yields, high costs, poor market access), how farmer groups and new practices/technologies are making a difference, and what improved production, quality, income or food security means to their household and community.* Group discussion and analysisFacilitated group sessions where farmers share photos, collectively reflect on common themes, identify shared successes and ongoing challenges, and co-create messages that directly answer the three learning questions.* Programme learningThe selected photos and stories are compiled into the Photovoice report to showcase transformation.E. Key Deliverables1. Inception report (work plan, materials, ethical documentation) 2. Interim field report (participant list, preliminary themes linked to the learning questions) 3. A draft report for validation by farmers and Solidaridad. 4. Final print-ready report 5. Complete digital archive (raw photos, scanned notes, translations, consents). 6. Short process evaluation report (how the three learning questions were answered and recommendations).F. Scope of WorkThe assignment will be carried out in Kenya (3 counties) and Central Ethiopia.G. TimelineStrictly 2 months (8 weeks) from contract signature to final delivery.H. Qualifications and Experience Required* Demonstrated experience with smallholder agriculture in East Africa * The team should have graphic design and InDesign expertise with a portfolio of similar participatory reports. * Strong background in farmer-group development, regenerative practices and gender-sensitive rural research.HOW TO APPLY1. Submission of Expression of Interest (EOI)* Technical proposal (max. 8 pages) explicitly showing how the Photovoice methodology and the three learning questions will be addressed, team composition, and 2-month timeline management. * Financial proposal.Complete applications should be submitted by email to [email protected] before or on 20.03.2026.Address to:Attn: Managing DirectorSolidaridad Eastern and Central Africa Expertise CentreEUROPA TOWER, LANTANA ROAD, WESTLANDSP.O. Box 42234 - 00100 GPONairobi