Talents Pluriels project wraps up in DRC

Talents Pluriels project wraps up in DRC, empowering professionals and strengthening communities since 2022

After four successful years of empowering entrepreneurs and strengthening businesses, Cuso International’s Talents Pluriels program has come to an end.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the second largest country in the continent of Africa, bordering nine different countries, a rain forest (the Congo Basin forest) crossing its borders considered to be the “lungs” of Africa. As soon as you step outside, the heat and the noise of cars and motorcycles mixed with aromas of spices and herbs hit you as the day get started, often as early as 4 am. It’s the type of hustle and bustle that makes you feel alive; you feel it in the deepest part of your soul – you can’t help but fall in love with a place like DRC.

With a culture of more than 200 ethnic groups – and nearly 18 million people inhabiting its capital Kinshasa alone – the population has perseverance imbedded in them. DRC has potential that is unspeakable, yet it is one of the most underdeveloped countries in Africa.

DRC has seen its fair share of external support. Programs, NGOs, and governments have stepped in, providing aid in more ways than one could imagine, and hope was never far behind. But somehow, there seemed to be a missing piece. Despite this support, the people of DRC still suffer, the women and youth are still often limited, and potential is still never fully realized.

When Cuso International’s Talents Pluriels project started in 2022, the idea was clear. Make long-lasting, sustainable change. Change communities. Change lives. Give hope. Not the far-to-reach hope, but the hope you see in the eyes of a young girl who isn’t aware of the limitations she may face as she grows up. A young man that wishes for an opportunity to help his family, learn a skill, be independent, and help his community.

Striving to support some of the most underserved in the country, Talents Pluriels was launched with funding from Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). The project supported young people facing barriers, especially women, LBGTQIA+ individuals, people with disabilities, and displaced people with training, coaching, and support to find jobs, start businesses, and fully participate in their communities.

Participants like Charly Solo, who grew up with a physical condition that caused her to face discrimination within her family, at school, in church, and among acquaintances. Despite enduring discrimination, Charly completed both primary and secondary school.

Talents Pluriels enabled Charly to better meet customer demands and organize her business documents. The program taught her to manage her profit margins, save money to pay employees, and set fixed prices for her products. Additionally, she learned how to navigate social dynamics and support others in overcoming unemployment.

“By participating in this program, I hoped for guidance, follow-up, and support—and Cuso made that possible. Acquiring new skills was challenging at first, but my determination carried me through,” she explained.

“Thanks to this project, I’ve become self-sufficient. In my community, doubts have faded about the true intentions of organizations working to help young people.”

Building on a more wholistic approach, the program also worked with local organizations and community leaders to strengthen inclusive policies and practices to help create environments that are more welcoming, supportive, and responsive for people un underserved communities.

Within Talents Pluriels, many initiatives were born. In Lubumbashi, Wenze au Pluriel was an event created to give space for these young entrepreneurs to show off their products, their businesses, and the skills they had learned. It was more than a market; it was a space for encounters, opportunities, and the promotion of Congolese talent in all its diversity.

Between 2022-2026, Talents Pluriels trained 6,754 youth and supported 3,236 participants in self-employment/entrepreneurship. It helped 640 micro or small enterprises legalise and helped 450 young people get hired or become interns. Additionally, 3,873 community and family members have been impacted.

One of these participants is Louisine Simiret, who runs her own business, hiring people and making her own money. She works in the recycling sector, recycling fabric scraps, for example.

“When I got there, I discovered a lot of very beneficial things, including leadership training, mentoring, coaching in business management, and resource management. And that’s where I was able to position myself, thanks to this project,” she said.

Rachel Kasongo, another participant, is an entrepreneur in the craft sector, specializing in leather goods, while also pursuing a master’s degree in economics and development. She owns the HATHINA brand, which offers custom wooden ladies’ bags.

“Thanks to my training in the Talents Pluriels project, I have developed valuable skills. I am now able to better target my marketing by using a well-detailed buyer persona, which helps me reach my customer base effectively. When it comes to financial management, I’ve learned how to price my products taking into account all fixed and variable costs, labor, and profit margin. This knowledge allows me to manage my finances optimally,” she said.

With the program’s support, Rachel has been able to formalize her company, improving trust and brand awareness.

“Networking with other entrepreneurs, both at Cuso and elsewhere, has allowed me to broaden my horizons and exchange ideas, which is invaluable for a young entrepreneur like me,” she said.

Today, we celebrate the incredible impact the program has had. DRC still has its challenges. The heat still hits you in the face as soon as you step outside. The hustle and bustle of the city still starts at 4 am most days and there are still many doors that need to be knocked down, but with the support of local partner organizations the Talents Pluriels project – through the skills shared in Kinshasa, trainings provided in Bukavu, and policies changed in Lubumbashi – has helped more youth have the chance to join the hustle and bustle of a morning commute. Many like Charly are breaking down barriers in their communities that will have a lasting effect.