Change in agriculture often begins within communities, where local challenges are met with solutions shaped by the people who understand them best. These initiatives create new economic opportunities, strengthen participation, and give women a greater role in decisions that affect their livelihoods and communities. Their approaches may differ, but they share a focus on creating change that reaches beyond individual farms.
The Community Impact category of the Changemaker Award 2026 recognizes efforts that empower women, foster inclusion, and help build fair and resilient farming systems.
FKKB Sahakari Samiti Ltd, India: Connecting women farmers to markets
In the Jaunsar hills of Uttarakhand, India, Dr. Pooja Gaur and the FKKB Sahakari Samiti Ltd. are creating new opportunities for women farmers to strengthen their livelihoods and participate more actively in local agricultural markets.
The initiative brings together cluster farming, self-help groups, cooperative structures, training, and a “Market on Wheels” model that collects agricultural and dairy produce directly from farms. This helps farmers in remote communities overcome logistical challenges, reduce their dependence on middlemen, and connect more directly with buyers.
More than 1,600 women are involved in the initiative, with household incomes increasing by 40–60%. Through the cooperative, women can also participate in collective decision-making, access credit and government schemes, and develop skills in sustainable agriculture.
“Women now lead community decisions, reducing distress migration. They’ve emerged as entrepreneurs, conserving agrobiodiversity while securing economic prosperity and social respect in the region. The Changemaker Award is not a personal achievement, but a recognition of the collective strength of our community, especially our women members. When we empower a woman, we empower an entire family, and when we strengthen a cooperative, we strengthen the nation,” comments Dr. Pooja Gaur, FKKB Sahakari Samiti Ltd Founder.
Food Recovery Alliance, Canada: Turning surplus produce into community support
Operating across British Columbia, Food Recovery Alliance recovers surplus produce from local farms and distributes it to community organizations. The initiative has recovered 9,000 pounds of local organic produce valued at $32,000, reaching more than 75 community organizations across the province.
Its work includes collecting surplus produce from farms for donation to shelters and supporting community food outreach for organizations that do not have the capacity to process raw produce.
Food Recovery Alliance also runs youth education programs, including planting workshops and farming activities developed with public-sector partners. Women play a significant role across its network, with 80% of its farm partners being women-led and more than 65% of its volunteers being women. Through its community garden and youth programs, the initiative also creates opportunities for young women to gain experience and engage with agriculture.
“Food Recovery Alliance is a youth-led nonprofit engaging young people with the food system. As farms close across Canada, youth need the tools to protect our food autonomy. to continue to build closer relationships with youth, our partner food banks, and the people that continue to steward our land to ensure we are genuinely helping the people who need it most”, comments Apollin Lu, Food Recovery Alliance Co-founder.
Fyffes International, Costa Rica and Belize: Building awareness around gender equality in Latin America
Fyffes International’s Cultivating Equality program was developed following a Human Rights Impact Assessment that identified gender inequality as a key risk in its Latin American operations. The program uses free podcast episodes featuring expert perspectives and storytelling to address topics including gender equality, gender-based violence, communication, financial literacy, health, and wellbeing.
“The program equips people with practical knowledge and tools around family planning, financial management, communication, domestic violence and other issues affecting their lives, helping them make informed decisions and create positive change. Looking ahead, we will continue expanding the program across our supply chain,” says Stella Davis, Fyffes Sustainability Manager
The program has reached 3,100 farm workers across its operations. Women participating in the program have reported increased confidence, improved wellbeing, and greater awareness of their rights. Gender committees have also been established on every farm to provide a point of contact for workers to raise concerns.
The program also includes opportunities to build skills and support women’s participation in the workforce. In Costa Rica, a partnership with the National Learning Institute provided training to women from local communities, with three participants subsequently securing full-time operational and technical roles.
Announcing the winner at AGRAYA SUMMIT 2026
The three Community Impact finalists work in different settings and address different challenges. What they share is a focus on people and the communities that underpin agricultural systems.
The Community Impact winner will be announced at the AGRAYA SUMMIT 2026 in Bologna, Italy, on 28 October.
Join us at the SUMMIT to find out who will receive the award.
Related links
- Find out more about the Changemaker Awards 2026
- Learn more about AGRAYA SUMMIT 2026
- Join us at SUMMIT 2026 to personally meet Agraya’s technical experts at the Solution Hub
