What we do

RAINS works to improve the lives of vulnerable and marginalised people in Northern Ghana through education, livelihoods, and community development initiatives. We believe that lasting change happens when communities are empowered with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities they need to thrive.

About Us

Our Work

RAINS works across a wide range of interlinked development areas to support marginalized communities in Ghana. Our work includes promoting inclusive education, empowering women and youth with skills for sustainable livelihoods, strengthening governance and citizen voice, improving access to health and nutrition, and promoting peaceful and resilient communities. Through innovative programs, strategic partnerships, and grassroots engagement, we address both immediate needs and long-term structural challenges.Our strategic priorities guide our approach and interventions:

Our Strategic Priorities (SPs)

Effectively addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality requires collaborative partnerships, adequate resources, and the application of diverse, context-specific strategies. Informed by insights from previous strategic plan, a comprehensive SWOT analysis, and national development frameworks, RAINS has outlined five Strategic Priorities (SPs) to steer its interventions for the period 2025 to 2029. These priorities reflect the organization’s commitment to impactful, sustainable development.

Governance and Gender Responsive Public Services (SP1)

This pillar aims to improve access to quality public services within the RAINS zone of influence. RAINS will empower communities to monitor local budgets and service delivery using community scorecards, and work with the media to amplify citizen feedback to duty bearers. Strategic Priority 1 will focus on eight key areas: quality basic education, SRHR, WASH, teacher development, school governance, child rights, local governance, and effective social spending.

Building community resilience and social cohesion (SP2)

The Community Resilience and Social Cohesion pillar aims to prevent conflicts from escalating into violence, recognizing that conflict hinders development and disproportionately affects women and children. RAINS works closely with MMDAs to integrate Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) into Medium-Term Development Plans and promote social cohesion. Key interventions will focus on preventing violent extremism, strengthening local peace structures, enhancing community-security relations, resolving conflicts, and improving early warning systems.

Biodiversity and Climate Resilience (SP3)

Conserving biodiversity and addressing climate change are essential for achieving a sustainable balance between human development and the environment. Under this pillar, RAINS will focus on promoting school and dry season gardens, advancing agroecology for food sovereignty, supporting agroforestry and reforestation, strengthening community ecological governance, encouraging the use of indigenous and climate-smart seeds, and advocating for climate justice.

Green Livelihoods and Decent Jobs for youth and women (SP4)

This strategic priority aims to tackle the growing challenge of youth unemployment in RAINS’ operational districts. Key focus areas include expanding women’s access to land, promoting climate-smart agriculture, advancing TVET, supporting agro-value chain entrepreneurs, enhancing financial inclusion, promoting eco-friendly livelihoods, strengthening market linkages, and raising awareness on unpaid care work.

Institutional Strengthening (SP5)

Strategic Priority Five focuses on strengthening the foundation for effective programme delivery at RAINS. Core areas of focus include enhancing monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems, diversifying funding sources, improving financial management and accountability, strengthening Board governance and oversight, and building organizational performance and staff capacity.