Projects
Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Project (REEEP)
Even though Nigeria is Africa’s largest exporter of crude oil and has some of the world’s largest natural gas reserves, over half of the country’s population lives in the dark. Access to energy and the many health and economic benefits it brings is particularly elusive in rural areas. This project aims to make clean energy…
RCDI-Capacity Assistance for Regional Economies
Although many parts of Arkansas have prospered thanks to increased economic development, rural areas of the state are still plagued by high levels of unemployment and poverty. Because municipalities and other locally based organizations are on the front lines of addressing these problems, it’s vital their leaders have the knowledge to develop effective strategies to…
Job-Driven National Emergency Grant
Skills retraining is essential to sustainable employment for dislocated and long-term unemployed workers. The Job-Driven National Emergency Grant is a collaborative partnership that helps disadvantaged Arkansans gain the skills and referrals they need to land positions in high-growth industries like medical billing and coding. Winrock case managers based at the University of Arkansas at Fort…
Value Chains for Rural Development in Burma (VC-RD)
Increasing the productivity and profitability of smallholders in Burma has the potential to substantially improve food security and livelihoods in poor, rural communities. USAID’s Value Chains for Rural Development project uses an inclusive, market systems approach to support smallholder producers, farmer groups, agribusinesses and community organizations in the coffee, soybean, ginger, sesame and melon value…
NWA Venture Team
As the home base for Walmart and Tyson Foods, Northwest Arkansas has done a remarkable job attracting and retaining large corporations. But creating an environment that lures innovative technology entrepreneurs and the high-paying jobs they create requires something a bit different. Building on the success of Innovate Arkansas, the NWA Venture team, in partnership with…
Farmers Market Promotion Program 2014
The availability of fresh and healthy local food often depends on the success of farmers markets. For markets to reach their potential individual vendors and market organizers need training and financial resources to boost sales and awareness. This program provides new and emerging farmers markets in Arkansas with instruction on topics ranging from fundraising to…
Creating Regional Investments and Strategic Partnerships
Increased globalization and economic downturns have buffeted rural communities throughout Arkansas. Decisions about how to respond and rebuild a rural community’s economic base often fall to municipal leaders, many of whom lack the staff, knowledge and resources to develop effective economic development strategies. Through group training and one-on-one mentoring, this program helps municipal leaders develop…
Arkansas Sector Partnership
Workforce skills training is critical for dislocated and unemployed workers to access new employment in high-demand, growth industries. As part of a collaborative effort led by the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services, Winrock helps the state’s long-term unemployed and dislocated workers obtain the training, placement and other services they need to land a new job.
Regional Food Systems Development
The local food movement is improving the health, economies and environment of communities around the country. But for the benefits of healthy and sustainably grown food to reach more Americans, changes throughout the food chain are required. The Wallace Center’s National Good Food Network helps build regional food hubs that allow all participants in the…