Catholic Relief Services helps millions of smallholder farmers worldwide recover from natural disasters and civil strife, build resilient farming systems, and grow them into agro-enterprises that engage successfully with markets. Our Pathway to Prosperity approach helps farmers build sustainable livelihoods through a phase-by-phase process. We currently have 113 agriculture projects in 47 countries. 

Learn more about Pathway to Prosperity

CRS Agriculture and Livelihoods Theory of Change

CRS' agricultural Theory of Change explains how and why a desired change is expected to happen through a project, and how the change is measured. CRS developed this Theory of Change to help teams design and implement projects that focus on a more consistent set of assumptions, and analyze progress using a defined set of metrics.

Building Resilience

CRS has a deep history of building resilience by helping individuals to address the challenges of recurrent shocks and chronic stresses. CRS’ Integral Human Development (IHD) Framework places people at the center of development, promoting a holistic approach to wellbeing that includes multiple human assets, as well as the ways in which people interact with the institutions and systems that impact their lives. Learn more.

Savings and Lending Groups

An integral part of our agricultural development programs is to help farmers organize into savings groups where they can pool their money and borrow from each other. This enables them to buy seeds, equipment and other assets they need to build successful businesses. To date, savings groups organized by CRS have saved almost $23 million through more than 196,000 groups in 60 countries, benefitting nearly five million beneficiaries worldwide.

Learn more about Savings and Lending Groups.

Through funding from the United States Department of Agriculture McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition and Food for Progress Programs, Catholic Relief Services leads effective education and agricultural development projects to build strong, resilient futures among the world’s most vulnerable people. Together, through school feeding, quality education, and improved livelihoods of smallholder farming families, USDA and CRS are committed to building opportunities and ending hunger among those we serve.

Explore the regions where CRS is transforming lives through your generosity. From Africa to Latin America, discover stories of hope and resilience across the globe.