Solidaridad East and Central Africa

For many years, women have done most of the work in Uganda’s tea fields. They wake up early, spend long hours picking tea leaves, and work hard to support their families. But even though they did most of the work, they earned very little. The tea was sold cheaply at auction, often for less than one dollar per kilo. The big decisions were made far away from the farms. Today, that story is changing. Through support from Solidaridad’s #RECLAIMSustainability! programme, women came together and formed the National Association of Women in Tea Uganda (WiTU). What started as small group meetings has grown into a strong network of women from 26 tea-growing districts. For details, please read the project report below. Alex Amanya Nyabuhara Julian Rugyereza. Anne Njuguna Joventa Tugumisirize Joshua Rukundo N. #ChangeThatMatters

Women are the backbone of the tea sector, yet too often remain excluded from its true value. At Solidaridad East and Central Africa, we are seeing a different story unfold in Uganda where women-led initiatives like Women in Women in Tea Uganda . shifting from low-value bulk production to high-value specialty tea, unlocking better incomes and market access. This is more than impact; it is a viable business case for inclusive sourcing and resilient supply chains. For partners, the opportunity is clear: invest in models that place women at the center of value creation and build a more equitable future for tea. Anne Njuguna Alex Amanya Nyabuhara Julian Rugyereza. Women in Tea Uganda .#ChangeThatMatters Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Uganda Frederieke Quispel Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken

Civil society organisations in #Ethiopia are increasingly making decisions based on real-time, reliable data, a shift that is already strengthening programme quality, accountability, and impact across the sector. This progress reflects the outcomes of Solidaridad East and Central Africa’s recently concluded “Digitizing MEL: Empowering CSOs with Digital Data Collection and Visualization Tools” project, implemented under the Strengthening Civil Society framework. At a closeout workshop held last month at the Skylight Hotel in Addis Ababa, 55 participants, including 19 women, came together to reflect on a journey that has significantly advanced digital Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (#MEL) systems. What began as a sector-wide challenge where a notable proportion of organisations still relied on paper-based systems has evolved into a growing movement toward digital adoption and data-driven practice. Through targeted capacity strengthening, 40 participants from 20 organisations were equipped with practical skills in tools such as KoBoToolbox, Excel, and Looker Studio, enabling them to collect, analyse, and visualise data more effectively. This investment is already yielding results. Several organisations have transitioned from manual systems to fully digital data collection processes, with some now producing interactive dashboards that support timely decision-making and improve programme responsiveness. Beyond individual capacity, the project has fostered a culture of learning and collaboration. Knowledge-sharing sessions and the establishment of a knowledge gallery have created space for organisations to exchange experiences, replicate best practices, and sustain the momentum of digital transformation. The impact is clear: Ethiopian CSOs are becoming more efficient, more inclusive, and better positioned to demonstrate results and drive change. This progress underscores Solidaridad’s commitment to strengthening civil society through innovation, ensuring that organisations are not only data-enabled but also empowered to use that data to improve lives. We are grateful to our partners the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in #Ethiopia, Amref Health Africa, ECDD, and TLMIE whose collaboration made this transformation possible. #DigitalMEL #CapacityBuilding #CSOs #DataForDevelopmen

Great to see our team represented by Sweeny Binsari at the #ACRS2026! As she highlights, Solidaridad East and Central Africa is dedicated to ensuring that carbon removal initiatives directly benefit the smallholder farmers who are on the front lines of climate change. Looking forward to unpack the two days event with great insights and networking. Read more about our work in carbon: https://lnkd.in/eRh5Hycr #Solidaridad #CarbonRemoval #SmallholderFarmers #ClimateAction #Nairobi

We are excited to be featured in the 2026 African Fine Coffees Association (AFCA) magazine! https://bit.ly/4c22byk. In this edition, our Climate Change and Natural Resource Management Manager, Sweeny Binsari, dives into Climate-Smart Agriculture anchored on carbon farming as a resourceful practice for climate action. Drawing from her extensive work with farmers across East and Central Africa, Sweeny explores the realities of carbon farming and what it takes to build a truly fair, practical path forward for small-scale producers within African countries. Building a sustainable coffee value chain requires more than just big ideas it requires grounded expertise and a commitment to equity. Read the full article on our website: https://sl1nk.com/bs6lyeg Global Coffee Platform UNIDO Sauti Ya Kahawa #ClimateSmartAgriculture #CarbonFarming #AFCA2026 #Sustainability #CoffeeIndustry #Solidaridad

For years, the women from Mlela Mine in Buziba, Tanzania worked in the shadows informal artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM). Economic insecurity pushed to work for daily survival earnings which was small and unpredictable. Financial decisions were often reactive rather than strategic, and access to formal credit seemed out of reach. Last year, the narrative began to change, with the EA$E initiative implemented by Solidaridad East and Central Africa, under the Pathways To Prosperity (P2P) Gold project funded by the Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken. The MAMA SAFI women’s group consist of 20 members and was formed with a clear purpose: to strengthen women’s economic participation and build their financial independence within the mining community. Equipped with proper financial records and a clear business plan, the group applied for support from the government’s 10% development fund loan. They strategically invested the money into a 3-hectare maize farm, creating a sustainable agricultural income stream. Livestock rearing, beginning with the purchase of seven goats, which provide both reproduction value and future sale opportunities. An internal lending scheme, where part of the funds was allocated as capital for members to borrow and invest in individual income-generating activities. #WomenInMining #EconomicEmpowerment Winifrida Kanwa Mary Mkonyi Prisca Wallace Stephen Kithuka

We continue to reflect on the powerful conversations sparked during the #IWD2026 webinar series. Together with partners, we explored what it truly takes to integrate gender-responsive approaches into agricultural systems and one thing is clear: meaningful change starts at the household level, but must be sustained across the entire system. These insights go beyond cocoa; they are relevant across value chains as we work toward more inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agricultural systems. #GenderEquality #InclusiveAgriculture #IWD2026 #SustainableDevelopment

Last week, we hosted a solar dryer campaign in Makueni County, wote town, under the Synnefa-Solidaridad P4G Partnerships for green growth and the global goals (2030) project. In collaboration with P4G Partnerships, we mobilized over 50 youths and women to embrace solar drying as a viable business model. This initiative is a critical step toward reducing post-harvest losses and boosting local economies. Madeliene Mbatha, Monitoring & Evaluation Officer for Environment, Natural Resources, and Climate Change from the Government Of Makueni County, joined us to emphasize the importance of solar technology in navigating Makueni’s unpredictable weather patterns. To wrap up the day, we took to the streets for an advocacy walk, promoting solar adoption as a key tool for food conservation and waste elimination. #YouthEmployement #FoodSecurity #ClimateAction #PostHarvestLoss Jeniffer Chemisto Boniface Kirago Alex Nzioki Stephen Kithuka

#WeAreHiring! Project Associate – Programmes Implementation in Minjar Shenkora District, Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Join our team at Solidaridad Eastern and Central Africa and contribute to building climate-resilient and sustainable livelihoods through the CROS+ Project. Key Qualifications: ✅ Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, Climate Change, Development Studies, Project Management, or a related field (advanced degree is an added advantage). ✅ At least 3 years of relevant professional experience, preferably in agriculture, agribusiness, or development sectors in Ethiopia. ✅ Strong understanding of the agriculture and agribusiness landscape, including policy and stakeholder environments. ✅ Proven experience in project implementation, stakeholder engagement, training, and capacity building. Demonstrable skills in data analysis, reporting, coordination, and working with farmers’ cooperatives and local partners. Apply: https://lnkd.in/dS_vZQaN Location: On-site (Minjar Shenkora District, Amhara Region, #Ethiopia) Deadline: April 20, 2026 Sanka Sepe Rachel Wanyoike Evelyne Chepkoech (IMHRM) Harriet Nyakundi #ChangeThatMatters

Recently, we handed over pre-finance tree seedlings to smallholder coffee farmers in Kalungu District in Central Uganda, working closely with our local partner, #Lukaya-Tukolerewamu Cooperative. This is part of the Carbon Finance pillar under our #FromClimateVictimstoClimateHeroes project. The goal is to help farmers integrate trees into their coffee farms in ways that restore soil health, increase yields, and store carbon. For these farmers, #climatechange is not an abstract debate discussed in conference rooms. It shows up in delayed rains, prolonged dry spells, shrinking harvests, and rising uncertainty about the next season. Many of them have watched their production decline despite working harder each year. Agroforestry offers a practical response. By planting shade and companion trees alongside coffee, farmers protect their soils, regulate temperatures on their farms, and improve overall productivity. The trees also capture and store carbon, contributing to the broader fight against climate change. But beyond the environmental benefits, there is an economic dimension that matters just as much. Through carbon markets, farmers can earn income from the carbon their farms help remove from the atmosphere. Climate action, in this case, becomes an additional revenue stream. Under our Carbon Finance model, the seedlings are provided upfront, removing the cost barrier that often prevents farmers from adopting long-term climate-smart practices. As the trees grow, so does the farmer’s resilience environmentally and financially. This work is part of a much bigger ambition: to see 54,000 smallholder farmers across Uganda and Kenya move from being on the frontline of climate impacts to becoming active agents of change. It’s about restoring dignity, strengthening livelihoods, and proving that with the right support, smallholder farmers can lead the transition toward a more sustainable and equitable future. Gerald Nyanzi Amodo Christopher Alex Amanya Nasasira Charity #ChangeThatMatters