The catalyst for rural empowerment
Since 2005, World Bicycle Relief has collaborated with thousands of communities to connect hard-working rural women, men, girls, and boys with the services and opportunities they need to thrive. Women, in particular, face significant cultural barriers to accessing education, healthcare and employment. That’s why World Bicycle Relief’s approach prioritizes women and girls, aiming for 70% of participants receiving our bicycles to be female.
Fifteen years of learnings and insights have evolved our programming to a holistic, multi-year approach in defined geographies, with community-led programming encompassing education, healthcare, livelihoods and conservation.
This Mobilized Communities model promotes long-term bicycle use through a sustainable bicycle eco-system with our assembly and distribution facilities, spare parts supply chain, trained local mechanics and social enterprise retail outlets supporting community-led and managed programming.
We partner with communities that create change at scale by utilizing community mobility needs assessments, bicycle supervisory committees, service-to-own contracts and strategic partnerships.
Currently, Mobilized Communities programs are underway in six locations: Cordoba, Colombia; Siaya, Kenya; Kasungu, Malawi; Mumbwa, Zambia; Chiredzi, Zimbabwe; and Hwange, Zimbabwe.
Smile
Student
210km pedaled/month
“When I received the bicycle, I felt excited. It helped me get to school before lessons started. I dream that other children can get a bicycle so that they can overcome distance and they can go to school every day.”