Gorta works with smallholder farmers, focusing on long term agricultural development projects. Through its projects, Gorta’s stated aim is the empowerment of communities to eradicate hunger and poverty, with particular emphasis on food and water security and unrestricted access to secure and environmentally sustainable livelihoods. Their focus has always remained on long term sustainable projects which they complete with partner organisations on the ground in their target countries.

Building on these 50 years of experience, at Gorta, they have evolved from their earlier agricultural-based model to a more comprehensive approach to modern development. This includes maximising the potential of these hard-pressed communities through skills exchange and the encouragement of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Through its work, Gorta aims at empowering communities to eradicate hunger and poverty, with particular emphasis on food security and nutrition, water security and unrestricted access to secure and environmentally sustainable livelihoods.

Their mission is:

 To promote best practices in the field of community area-based development, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on scaling up agriculture, promoting watershed management, facilitating access to markets, and investing in enterprise development
To promote community social, economic and environmental development with emphasis on ‘the development of people’.
To generate, share and apply knowledge by promoting research-based solution to local problems.

Their intention is to contribute meaningfully to the eradication of the causes of hunger and poverty in the world. They are not an emergency relief organisation.

Their approach to long term development is holistic, multi-disciplinary and creative. They encourage integrated solutions recognising the inter-dependent relationship that exists between food and water security, health, education and social enterprise.