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Ⓒ UNIDOS
Training in Regenerative Agriculture
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Refugees Teach Each Other Methods for Climate-Resilient, Sustainable Agriculture
The Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda is home to more than 200,000 people. As conflicts in the surrounding regions escalate again, more and more people are seeking safety here. For everyone arriving in Nakivale, starting over begins in much the same way: with a small plot of land allocated by the Ugandan government.
For many refugees, this piece of land is their only opportunity to feed themselves and their families, especially since drastic cuts to humanitarian food aid in 2020. Limited space, depleted soils, and long dry seasons make it difficult to grow enough food.
The consequence: Many people are surviving on just one meal a day and facing acute malnutrition. Children are forced to drop out of school because their basic needs are not being met.
Our partner organisations UNIDOS and MANUD train fellow refugees in climate-resilient and regenerative farming methods that enable them to grow food throughout the year. In doing so, they are addressing malnutrition, a lack of prospects, and the degradation of natural ecosystems.
Ⓒ UNIDOS
The various programmes have already made an important contribution to food security for thousands of households. Participants share their knowledge with their families and neighbours, while gaining new confidence in their own abilities.
In particular, MANUD places a strong emphasis on inclusion and accessibility, offering targeted training for women, young people, and people with disabilities.
Ⓒ UNIDOS
The training is based on the methods and principles of permaculture, the trainers’ experience with local ecosystems, and resilient design. A particular focus is placed on water conservation techniques, enabling food crops to grow productively even during long dry seasons and in the face of climate change.
Participants apply and deepen the skills they have learned while establishing small-scale home gardens.
Core Modules:
Local, climate-resilient seed production
Soil preparation, composting, mulching, and water conservation
Intercropping and agroforestry
Food preservation, value addition, and marketing
Climate, environmental, and nutrition education
Cooperation Instead of Competition
The two founders, Paulinho (UNIDOS) and Fazil (MANUD), demonstrate how cooperation, synergies, and knowledge sharing can be far more effective than competition.
Both refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo support each other in their work by sharing resources, experiences, and skills.
Generation Restoration in Nakivale
In May 2026, three members of Generation Restoration — Sonja, James, and Moritz — had the opportunity to visit our project partners MANUD and UNIDOS in Uganda in person. They were able to get hands-on and try out some of the techniques taught in the permaculture trainings themselves.
Education Changes Lives: Participant Testimonials
Learn More: Explore More Projects by MANUD and UNIDOS
Nutrient Cycles for Healthy Soils
Regenerating depleted soils is a core element of our regenerative agriculture training. To improve soil fertility and its ability to retain water, we enrich the soil with biochar and compost produced through our other projects. With our new Food Forest project we bring both together regenerating the soil while improving food security.
