Growing together in Rwanda

Two women harvesting - Misizi

Farmers in the Misizi Marshland in Rwanda have celebrated their first maize harvest—, but the fruits of their labour go beyond the crop itself. The Misizi Marshland project is bridging divides by bringing refugees and local community members together to support each other.

With funding from the IKEA Foundation, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and its partners are supporting an agricultural project in the Misizi Marshland. The project gives 1,427 host community and Congolese refugee farmers the opportunity to work.

Growing opportunities for refugees

When Muhizi Kayonde Pierre was forced to flee his home with his wife and two children, he arrived in Rwanda and had to start from scratch.

Today, Muhizi is the vice-president of the Cooperative of Misizi Marshland farmers in Rwanda’s Mugombwa sector, in Gisagara district. The 39-year-old Congolese refugee now has four children. Thanks to the farming initiative he is supporting himself and his family.

Earlier this year, the farmers produced more than 101 tonnes of maize, of which 37 tonnes were sold to the Africa Improved Food company. The remaining produce enabled the farmers to feed their families.

Family enjoying their new life

Growing resources for local communities

Niyitegeka Francine, who is 53 years old, is from Rwanda. She lives in Mugombwa sector with her husband and seven children.

“Some of us have been growing crops in this wetland for 30 years. In the beginning we assumed that refugees were going to take over the marshland. After discussions, we are living peacefully together with our Congolese neighbours. Before, the camp was only for refugees, but from the time when this project brought social cohesion, we all belong to Mugombwa,” she said.

UNHCR helps the farmers gain access to commercial markets and national programmes that offer subsidised agricultural products such as seeds, fertiliser, organic pesticides and solar irrigation kits. The project is covering farmers’ costs for the first two cropping seasons. It is also helping refugees and host communities form cooperatives and access financial services, so they can start saving and buy the agricultural products they need from the third season onwards. UNHCR will assess how much income the farmers are generating, in particular the refugees, and gradually reduce food assistance as they become self-reliant.

Growing together through new alliances

According to Francine, this project has brought remarkable changes in the community’s agricultural techniques, livelihoods, and their lives in general.

“This project is promising,” she says. “We are given an incentive while we are working in our own plots. We formed one cooperative where refugees and nationals have equal rights, and we have started informal saving groups among refugees and nationals. This is really heartening, and we are grateful.”

In line with the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework, which is being rolled out in Rwanda, the Misizi Marshland project embraces the approach of including refugees in their host community. Refugees benefit from supported access to the agricultural, labour and commercial markets. Together with Rwandan farmers, they can build their skills and contribute to the local economy while becoming self-reliant and contributing towards local development goals.

This project is funded by the IKEA Foundation and implemented jointly by UNHCR, the World Food Programme, the Food and Agriculture Organization, the Government of Rwanda and the local authorities.

Partner

UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency
https://www.unhcr.org/

Social

Stay up-to-date and follow us for news and info about exciting grants

  • We’re part of an alliance of 25 (and growing!) leading philanthropic funders working to accelerate regenerative and agroecological transitions around the world 🌍

Research by our partner the Global Alliance for the Future of Food shows that a tenfold increase in funding is required to support this much-needed transformation ⚠️

Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative food systems is essential. In collaboration with our partners, we’re calling on civil society, governments, investors, and other donors to work with us to unlock the innovative partnerships and investments needed to achieve global climate targets πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Read more via the link in our bio πŸ”—

#ClimateAction #COP28UAE #RegenerativeAgriculture
  • In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
  • Food systems currently contribute to one-third of global GHG emissions πŸ₯¬

Join us and our partners at the #COP28 Food Systems Pavilion on December 2nd between 09:30am and 10:30am GMT for the anticipated Power Shift eventπŸ’‘

Our expert panel will explore how we can decouple food systems from fossil fuel use by shifting toward regenerative and agroecological food production.

Watch the event live at the link in bio πŸ”—

#ActionOnFood #FoodProduction
  • At #COP28UAE we’re supporting @selcoofficial to demonstrate the power of the #EnergyForHealth programme πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Launched in April of this year, #EnergyforHealth will bring solar power to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026.

The programme will reduce CO2e emissions by 3 million tons over 20 years and improve health services for 170 million people.

Visit their exhibition in the #BlueZone to see how #EnergyForHealth can be a model for improving healthcare and reducing emissions from the health sector 🌏

#RenewableEnergy #PeopleandPlanet
We’re part of an alliance of 25 (and growing!) leading philanthropic funders working to accelerate regenerative and agroecological transitions around the world 🌍

Research by our partner the Global Alliance for the Future of Food shows that a tenfold increase in funding is required to support this much-needed transformation ⚠️

Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative food systems is essential. In collaboration with our partners, we’re calling on civil society, governments, investors, and other donors to work with us to unlock the innovative partnerships and investments needed to achieve global climate targets πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Read more via the link in our bio πŸ”—

#ClimateAction #COP28UAE #RegenerativeAgriculture
We’re part of an alliance of 25 (and growing!) leading philanthropic funders working to accelerate regenerative and agroecological transitions around the world 🌍 Research by our partner the Global Alliance for the Future of Food shows that a tenfold increase in funding is required to support this much-needed transformation ⚠️ Transitioning to agroecological and regenerative food systems is essential. In collaboration with our partners, we’re calling on civil society, governments, investors, and other donors to work with us to unlock the innovative partnerships and investments needed to achieve global climate targets πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Read more via the link in our bio πŸ”— #ClimateAction #COP28UAE #RegenerativeAgriculture
2 days ago
View on Instagram |
1/4
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£

Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰

What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡

@india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance 

#ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
In the lead up to #COP28, we asked some of our #changemakers what they would say if they had the chance to speak on the main stage at COP28 πŸ“£ Swipe through to see what they have to say to the world leaders πŸ‘‰ What would you say? Please comment below! πŸ‘‡ @india_climate_collab @worldresources @worldbenchmarkingalliance #ClimateAction #ClimateChange #PeopleAndPlanet
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
2/4
Food systems currently contribute to one-third of global GHG emissions πŸ₯¬

Join us and our partners at the #COP28 Food Systems Pavilion on December 2nd between 09:30am and 10:30am GMT for the anticipated Power Shift eventπŸ’‘

Our expert panel will explore how we can decouple food systems from fossil fuel use by shifting toward regenerative and agroecological food production.

Watch the event live at the link in bio πŸ”—

#ActionOnFood #FoodProduction
Food systems currently contribute to one-third of global GHG emissions πŸ₯¬ Join us and our partners at the #COP28 Food Systems Pavilion on December 2nd between 09:30am and 10:30am GMT for the anticipated Power Shift eventπŸ’‘ Our expert panel will explore how we can decouple food systems from fossil fuel use by shifting toward regenerative and agroecological food production. Watch the event live at the link in bio πŸ”— #ActionOnFood #FoodProduction
3 days ago
View on Instagram |
3/4
At #COP28UAE we’re supporting @selcoofficial to demonstrate the power of the #EnergyForHealth programme πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘

Launched in April of this year, #EnergyforHealth will bring solar power to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026.

The programme will reduce CO2e emissions by 3 million tons over 20 years and improve health services for 170 million people.

Visit their exhibition in the #BlueZone to see how #EnergyForHealth can be a model for improving healthcare and reducing emissions from the health sector 🌏

#RenewableEnergy #PeopleandPlanet
At #COP28UAE we’re supporting @selcoofficial to demonstrate the power of the #EnergyForHealth programme πŸ§‘β€πŸ€β€πŸ§‘ Launched in April of this year, #EnergyforHealth will bring solar power to 25,000 healthcare facilities across India by 2026. The programme will reduce CO2e emissions by 3 million tons over 20 years and improve health services for 170 million people. Visit their exhibition in the #BlueZone to see how #EnergyForHealth can be a model for improving healthcare and reducing emissions from the health sector 🌏 #RenewableEnergy #PeopleandPlanet
4 days ago
View on Instagram |
4/4