One Year of Impacts 2024
Tags: impact, ecosystem, commitment pooling, scaling, Celo
Since transitioning our technology onto the Celo blockchain in July 2023, Grassroots Economics has scaled its Commitment Pooling Protocol, transforming community-driven economic models across multiple regions. This protocol enables communities to issue Community Asset Vouchers (CAVs) and engage in Rotational Labor (Mweria), where individuals and groups pool commitments to facilitate trade, access credit, and foster business collaboration.
As of September 2024: - Groups have established 33 commitment pools on Sarafu.Network, creating new channels for capital seeding, credit and local trade. - These pools support localized rotations of labor, resulting in tangible outcomes such as agroforestry improvements, water conservation, and community infrastructure. - 239 unique Community Asset Vouchers (also known as Community Inclusion Currencies) have been issued by individuals, groups, and businesses, benefiting 3,149 monthly active users globally.
Sarafu.Network is revolutionizing how communities collaborate, access credit, and build resilient economies.
Key Growth Metrics:
- Total Monthly Active Users: 3,149
- Total Pools Created: 33 pools facilitating credit, trade, and collaboration (Sarafu Network Pools)
- Unique Vouchers: 239 vouchers issued by individuals, groups, and businesses globally
- Total Mweria Cycles (since July 2023): 1,504 across 50+ community groups
- 485 pool swaps (cross exchange between vouchers)
- 120 pool deposits (Seeding commitment pools)
- 144,558 voucher transfers (User to user exchanges)
- 5,138 Celo faucet gives (Enabeling anyone to use Celo with no charges via USSD/SMS)
Summary of Impacts:
- Communities Engaged: Grassroots Economics has partnered with over 101 community groups across Kenya (Kwale, Kitui, Kilifi, Mukuru, Kibera, Dadaab, Kalobeyei, Siaya, Mombasa, Kawangware) and beyond.
- Commitment Pooling and Mweria Cycles: Over 1,500 traditional Mweria cycles have focused on activities like agroforestry, environmental restoration, and disaster preparedness. These activities have resulted in over 320 houses built and 400 farms developed (more impacts below)
- Credit and Trade Opportunities: The 33 commitment pools established provide crucial access to credit, fostering dynamic trade relationships that reshape community interactions.
Key Regional Impacts:
Kwale County:
Groups engaged in land regeneration: - Tumeamua Yowani, Umoja Miloeni, Riziki Miloeni: 129 Mweria cycles focused on zai pits and sunken beds, leading to improved crop yields and sustainable water management. - Upendo Mkanyeni and Tuko Sawa Vyogato: Focused on nurseries, terraces, and infrastructure through pooled commitments.
| Group | Activities |
|---|---|
| Tumeamua Yowani | Preparation of zai pits & sunken beds |
| Umoja Miloeni | Zai pits, digging small water pans |
| Riziki Miloeni | Sunken beds |
| Tuko Sawa Vyogato | Nursery preparation, syntropic agroforestry beds, terraces |
| Upendo Mkanyeni | Sunken beds, water catchment, clearing land, water pans |
| Miloeni A | Zai pits, sunken beds |
| Jiendeleze Miloeni | Sunken beds & zai pits |
| Guro A | Tree nursery & syntropic agroforestry beds |
| Guro B | Sunken beds & zai pits |
| Nuru Amani | Sunken beds & zai pits |
| Upendo Vikolani | Zai pits |
| Amani Makuluni | Zai pits and sunken beds |
| Uzalendo | SAF beds & water pans (most members left the group) |
| Tunaweza Gona | Sunken beds & zai pits |
| Miyani | Sunken beds as water catchment |
| Chilumani | Tree nursery & zai pits |
| Miatsani | Sunken beds |
| Jibidishe Madewani | Mitsara & zai pits as water catchment techniques |
| Katundani | Sunken beds as water catchment techniques |
Kitui County:
Groups focused on agroforestry and home building: - Great Vision and Kyeni: Over 83 Mweria cycles for land restoration, home construction, and granary building, enhanced by CAVs to access credit.
| Group | Activities |
|---|---|
| Great Vision | Brick making, land preparation, granary construction, tree planting, agroforestry |
| Mwakasi | Terrace making, fencing, syntropic farming, toilet building |
| Kyeni | House construction (3 houses), fencing, land preparation, firewood, water fetching |
| Woni Wa Makuka | Fencing, environmental cleaning, terraces, farming, house renovations (2) |
| Baraka | Farming, firewood gathering, brick making, house renovation |
| Maskalini | Harvesting, fencing, land preparation |
| Mumo | Water harvesting, agroforestry farm development, goat purchase for members |
| Inguluku | Land preparation, fencing, harvesting |
| Kithito | House building, dam digging, toilet renovations |
| Moseyo | Water fetching, farming, house renovation (6 houses) |
| Wikwatyo wa Kalinga | Firewood, land preparation, goat purchase |
| Wendo wa Makayaa | Firewood, land terracing, farming, harvesting |
Mukuru and Kibera (Urban Areas):
- Progressive Disaster Response and Pastors Network: 52 Mweria cycles in flood preparedness, fire response, and community cleanups.
| Group | Activities |
|---|---|
| Harare | Purchased car wash machine with voucher savings for community goals |
| Pamoja | Poultry and pig farming |
| Crescent Unit | 8 community cleanups and a tree planting event |
| Progressive Disaster Response | Flood awareness, fire response, and 10 cleanups |
| Pastors Network | Purchased 8 seats for community gatherings, supporting people with disabilities, youth mentorship |
| Bawa | Poultry farming |
| Thriving Star | Engaging 5,000 households in disaster awareness and physical fitness |
Dadaab (January to June 2024):
GOOB initiative achievements in Refugee Camps: * 2 houses built * 19 fences constructed * 15 households assisted with curtain or blanket fixing
Kalobeyei (January to June 2024):
Esale project impacts: * La Paix: 4 fences, 3 farms supported * Mavuno: 1 farm, 3 fences completed
Technological and Economic Advancements:
- Voucher Creation: 220 unique contracts published via Sarafu.Network by individuals and groups on the Celo blockchain, empowering communities to formalize commitments as redeemable CAVs traded locally.
Ecological and Economic Impact:
- Land Restoration: Over 1,200 acres restored with syntropic agroforestry, sunken beds, and zai pits, improving soil and food security for 14,000+ individuals.
- Asset Development: 30+ houses and multiple granaries constructed, demonstrating the power of pooled commitments in community building.
Conclusion
Transitioning to the Celo blockchain has amplified Grassroots Economics' capacity to empower communities via decentralized resource coordination and connection to on and offramping national currencies. With 3,149 active users, 33 pools, and 239 unique vouchers, new opportunities in credit access, trade, and enterprise development are reshaping communities. By supporting indigenous practices through cutting-edge technology, Grassroots Economics is poised to expand regenerative practices across 1 million acres over the next five years, transforming both economic and ecological landscapes.
We look forward to unlocking further potential for sustainable development and community empowerment on a global scale.
