East Africa Collaboration Workshop Sparks Action on Sustainable Agriculture

Written by:

Fariah Lalaikipian, Uzury Empowerment Hub-Kenya- WFCN Member.

The first session of the Women, Faith & Climate Network (WFCN) Collaboration Workshop Series, held on June 2, 2024, was a powerful, heartfelt gathering that set the tone for what collaborative climate action truly looks like.

Bringing together women from diverse faiths and organizations across East Africa, this session centred on “Scaling up women-led sustainable agriculture through collaboration among women-led faith networks.” It created a safe and dynamic space for grassroots leaders to share their stories, highlight their ongoing work, and share ways to grow their impact.

A vibrant exchange of ideas: Throughout the 90-minute session, participants discussed practical strategies for bringing traditional agricultural knowledge into contemporary practice. They reflected on how their faith traditions inspire stewardship of the Earth and fuel their resilience despite ongoing challenges like unpredictable weather patterns and limited access to resources.

In breakout groups, women mapped out opportunities to leverage existing partnerships, strengthen their local networks, and reach more farmers with sustainable solutions. Key themes like seed preservation, eco-friendly pest control, rainwater harvesting, and community training circles kept everyone engaged and inspired.

Toolkits & Resources to Continue the Work: The workshop also shared a rich set of resources for continued learning and action. Participants and readers alike are invited to explore the detailed toolkits created to support these efforts.

And for a deeper look into all the insights and action plans discussed during the session: 

• Toolkit's guide: Access it here.

• Read the full report

• You can also review the presentations that sparked rich conversations and new ideas for collaboration:

  • PowerPoint slides: Find them here

Next Steps and the Way Forward:

This session wasn’t just an event; it was the first spark in a larger movement. Participants left feeling motivated to take their new connections and co-created solutions back to their communities. With momentum building and the next sessions approaching in Southern Africa and South Asia, the upcoming workshop led by Uzury Empowerment Hub-Kenya on Agriculture and artificial intelligence, and an in-person meeting for Network members in Nairobi later in the year. It’s a reminder that these seeds of radical collaboration will only grow if nurtured together.

Get Involved: If you missed this session, worry not — you can still join the WFCN and take part in upcoming sessions through our webpage.

By coming together as women of faith and action, we grow stronger and closer to reaching our shared climate goals.

Let this be an invitation to reflect on what women-led sustainable agriculture looks like in your context and what new partnerships you might pursue. The path to climate justice is collaborative — let’s walk it together.

Have questions or want to contribute to the next session? Reach out, share the links above, and let’s keep this vital conversation going!