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Building a poultry farm one flock at a time in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
When Yuster Katusabe started keeping poultry, she noticed there were very few poultry farmers in her community. She saw an opportunity. “I realised there was a ready market because very few people were doing this business,” she says. Her location also works in her favour, as she supplies customers from a nearby trading centre and from Kichwamba Technical College, where demand for chicken remains high. Yuster already had 200 birds when she joined the WeWork – Green and Decent Jobs for Youth project. The project is implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium. Through the programme, she attended a five‑day residential bootcamp where she learnt business planning, marketing, and proper record keeping. “I was keeping records before, but I was not doing it properly,” she admits. She now has a written business plan and a clear target: by 2027, she wants to increase her flock to 700 birds. The project awarded her a UGX 1million (€239) micro‑grant, which she used to buy 100 more chicks and feeds. The micro‑grant is given after Ile de Paix carries out assessments during mentorship sessions to identify youth with strong potential to grow their businesses, with the evaluation and selection conducted by an independent firm to ensure transparency. Yuster also received 100 day‑old chicks as her start‑up kit. Today, she keeps 300 birds. Like many poultry farmers, one of her biggest challenges is the cost of feeds. To reduce expenses, she adopted hydroponic fodder, learnt how to prepare poultry feeds herself, and now uses herbal treatments whenever her birds fall sick. She says these practices have helped reduce production costs considerably. Her business is entirely family‑run. She has no employees, but her six children help with daily work while she manages the enterprise. Besides poultry, Yuster also grows bananas, sells tree seedlings, and keeps goats. She has been saving with a SACCO since 2023, setting aside a percentage of every sale she makes. “My plan is to keep saving and continue increasing my stock,” she says. She first learnt about the WeWork project through a WhatsApp flyer shared on social media. After applying and being selected, she found the residential bootcamp an opportunity to learn from other entrepreneurs. Many of those young entrepreneurs remain connected through a WhatsApp group where they continue sharing ideas, markets, and experiences. Project extension workers regularly visit her farm to monitor progress and offer technical guidance. Lamark Muhindo explains that hydroponic fodder has become one of the technologies helping poultry farmers lower feeding costs because the birds consume both the germinated seeds and the green shoots. Yuster believes the knowledge she has gained, together with careful saving and reinvestment, will help her achieve her goal of building one of the largest poultry enterprises in her community.
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Turning UGX 100,000 into a growing poultry enterprise in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
When Ritah Asaba became a caretaker for a family home, she noticed an unused poultry structure on the property. Before her employers travelled abroad, she asked whether she could use it to start a poultry business, and they agreed. At the time, she only had UGX 100,000 (€24), far too little to begin. A friend whose wife had participated in the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project introduced her to the programme. The project is implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium. Ritah attended the residential bootcamp, where she learnt poultry management, brooder preparation, and how to treat birds using herbs such as garlic, ginger, and aloe vera. She also learnt that outstanding participants could qualify for a UGX 1 million (€239), micro‑grant. “I decided I would put everything I had learnt into practice,” she says. The project provided her with 50 kilogrammes of concentrate and 50 kilogrammes of pre‑starter feed as her preferred start‑up kit. To buy chicks, Ritah borrowed UGX 300,000(€72) and combined it with her own UGX 100,000, enabling her to purchase 100 chicks. When she sold her first flock to Nyaika Hotel, she earned a profit of UGX 500,000. The hotel has continued buying from her, although at the time of the interview she was still waiting to receive payment for one delivery. Ritah has since expanded her business to 300 birds. She also received the UGX 1 million (€239), micro‑grant awarded after Ile de Paix carried out assessments during mentorship sessions to identify youth with strong potential to grow their businesses. The evaluation and selection were conducted by an independent firm to ensure transparency. Riita invested the grant in more feeds and additional stock, further strengthening her enterprise. Following the project’s advice on diversification, she used part of her poultry profits to buy a pig, which has since produced 12 piglets. “I have really benefited. I can even teach other young people how to rear poultry because it has helped me so much,” she says. Riita combines poultry farming with her responsibilities as caretaker for her employers’ home and children. She is also an energetic marketer. “I can carry four birds in my hands and walk around the neighbourhood looking for customers. By the time I come back, I have sold them.” She also advertises her birds through the WhatsApp group formed by entrepreneurs who attended the WeWork bootcamp together. Although fluctuating market prices remain a challenge, Riita continues looking for new customers and investing in her business. “I know I am a hardworking woman,” she says. Her next plan is to expand both her poultry and pig enterprises, using each one to strengthen the other as her business continues to grow.
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Patience cuts operational costs through natural feeds at her poultry farm in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
When Patience Nasande started her poultry business in 2024, she relied heavily on commercial feeds and medicines to keep her birds healthy. The costs were high, making it difficult for her business to grow. By the time she applied and joined the WeWork-green and decent jobs for youth project in December 2025, she already had a poultry house and had begun keeping chickens, but she felt there was still a lot to learn. She attended the project’s five‑day residential bootcamp after hearing about it from a neighbour. “I accompanied my neighbour to collect her start‑up kit and that is when I learnt about the project. I decided to apply because I also wanted to improve my business,” she says. The WeWork project is implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium. One of the biggest lessons Patience took from the bootcamp was how to reduce production costs. Instead of relying only on commercial medicines, she now treats her birds using medicinal herbs that she grows herself. “I used to spend a lot of money on medicines. Now I use herbs and they work very well,” she explains. During follow‑up visits, extension workers from RCA learnt that feeds had become another major challenge. They introduced her to hydroponic fodder, Azolla, and maggot production, all of which have helped reduce feeding costs. Lamark Muhindo, a project officer, explains that Azolla is rich in protein and grows quickly on water. “A handful of Azolla placed in a pond, and it multiplies within a week. It can be fed to poultry, goats, cows and even fish,” he says. Today, Patience harvests Azolla every three days from a small pond on her father’s land and feeds it directly to her birds. She has also started producing maggots, which she mixes with poultry feeds to improve their nutritional value. She believes the changes are already showing results. “Before, my birds used to lay white eggs. Now they lay eggs with yellow yolks because of the nutritious feeds,” she says. Patience currently has 32 birds, having sold part of her original flock to buy more feeds when supplies became scarce. She plans to restock soon and hopes to become one of the leading poultry farmers in her community. “I want to be among the best poultry producers in my area,” she says. The training also introduced her to record keeping and business planning, skills she now applies in managing her poultry enterprise. Although she is not yet a member of a Village Savings and Loan Association, joining one is among her next priorities. If she receives the project’s UGX 1 million micro‑grant (€239), she plans to buy 100 chicks and more feeds to expand her business further. The micro‑grant is awarded after Ile de Paix carries out assessments during mentorship sessions to identify youth with strong potential to grow their businesses, with the evaluation and selection conducted by an independent firm to ensure transparency. Alongside poultry, Patience grows eggplants, helping her earn additional income while building the poultry enterprise she hopes will continue growing in the years ahead.
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Changing direction to build a bigger poultry business in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
William George Amanyire had already started a poultry business before joining the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project. At the time, he was rearing 100 layers, but the business was proving difficult. “The layers were eating a lot, but after four months they had produced very few eggs,” he recalls. When a friend shared information about the project, William applied and was selected. The WeWork project is implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium. Before attending the bootcamp, project staff visited his farm to understand his business and prepare him for training. According to Lamark Muhindo, a project officer from RCA, these visits help staff assess where each entrepreneur is starting from before the training begins. During the five‑day residential bootcamp and the practical sessions that followed, William learnt more about poultry production and was introduced to broilers. “The training was very interactive. After learning about broilers, I realised they bring returns much faster than layers,” he says. Motivated by this new knowledge, he decided to change direction completely. William sold all his layers and used the money to buy 100 broiler chicks, adding another 100 chicks that he received as a start‑up kit through the project. His enterprise grew further when he received a UGX 1 million micro‑grant (€239). The grant was awarded after Ile de Paix carried out assessments during mentorship sessions to identify youth with strong potential to expand their businesses, with the evaluation and selection process conducted by an independent firm to ensure fairness. William invested the grant in 200 Rainbow Roosters, a fast‑growing breed with strong market demand, which gave his business a major boost. Today, he keeps about 450 birds and has already placed an order for another 500 chicks. “The layers gave me a starting point, but broilers have helped me grow,” he explains. One of the biggest challenges he continues to face is the high cost of feeds. To address this, Lamark introduced him to Azolla and hydroponic fodder, technologies he has started testing on his farm to reduce production costs. Azolla is a genus of tiny, fast-growing aquatic ferns, which float on the surface of freshwater and is highly prized in sustainable agriculture as a nutrient-rich livestock feed. On the other hand, Hydroponic fodder is fresh, sprouted cereal grain (like barley, maize, or oats) grown without soil using only water and trace nutrients. With these innovations, William is steadily building a more sustainable and profitable poultry business. William has also built a strong customer network.He supplies restaurants, receives walk-in customers and regularly markets his birds door to door. He also exchanges customers with fellow poultry farmers he met through the bootcamp. “If one farmer runs out of stock, they refer buyers to another", he says. The training also improved the way he manages his business. "Before, I was writing some records, but not in a systematic way. "Today, he uses a laptop to keep detailed records of income, expenditure, bird weights and even mortality. "When birds die, I record the cause so that I can avoid the same problem in future." William also saves UGX 30,000 (€7) every week through a savings group and hopes to access youth financing from Centenary Bank to improve his poultry structures. A graduate of Industrial Art and Design, he chose poultry farming instead of pursuing his profession. Looking around his growing farm, he says he has no regrets!
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Better planning is helping a family poultry business grow in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
When Margret Kabajungu joined the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project, she was already rearing poultry with her husband, John Assimwe, at their home in Bunyangabu District in Western Uganda. The couple had started the business two years earlier and had 35 birds when Margaret was recruited. Margret had almost missed being part of the project. This is because although she had applied during the initial recruitment, she had not been successful. However, after some participants dropped out, she was invited to take their place. Although she missed the five‑day residential bootcamp, RCA field officer Lamark Muhindo ensured she received the training she needed, during the regular field visits to her home. “When we recruited her, I took her through some of the topics that had been covered during the bootcamp so that she could catch up," says Lamark. "Since then, I have continued visiting them to ensure they stay on track." Today, the couple keeps 50 dual‑purpose birds. At one point, they had increased their stock to 80 but later sold some after realizing their poultry house had become small. The proceeds enabled them to fence the compound and build a stronger structure for their birds and their cow, making the entire farm safer and better organized. As part of the project, Margaret received 23 birds and 50 kilogrammes of poultry feeds as a start-up kit. Those birds are still part of the stock today. Lamark says that the project also introduced the family to improved breeds such as Sasso and Kenbro, which are more productive while retaining the characteristics of local chickens. These breeds are bred to be harder and more disease-resistant than standard commercial broilers, while growing faster and laying more eggs than indigenous chickens. The couple now buys one-month-old chicks, raises them for another two to three months and sells them for meat at a minimum of UGX 30,000(€7) per bird. Their current stock alone is worth about UGX 1.5 million (€359). The training also encouraged the family to diversify. Besides poultry, they rear goats and cattle, use manure from the animals to improve their crop gardens and have adopted hydroponic fodder to reduce feeding costs. "We encourage farmers to have poultry, crops, cows and goats because each activity complements the other," Lamark explains. Another important lesson was record keeping. "Before, we kept everything in our minds," says John. "We would sell birds and later fail to remember how many we had sold or how much money we had received. Now we write everything down and it helps us know whether we are making progress." The couple also joined a Village Savings and Loan Association after being encouraged during their mentorship sessions. Every week, Margret saves about UGX 45,000(€11), and they have already used loans from the group to buy poultry feeds. Their goal now is to begin brooding 300 day‑old chicks, a move they believe will further increase their profits. Alongside their small grocery shop and other farm enterprises, poultry has become one of the businesses enabling them to provide for their five children with greater stability and confidence. They are grateful to the project for how far they have come in their business. The WeWork project is implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium.
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Janet’s apiary in Uganda grows from 5 bee hives to 57
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
When Mbambu Janet and her husband Pedson Matte started beekeeping in 2022, they had only five local hives placed in the bush. They decided to venture into apiary after receiving guidance on green businesses that require less capital, less labour, and are environmentally friendly. Their first harvest was small, but it gave them confidence. They sold 20 kilograms of honey to Bunyangabu Beekeepers’ Cooperative (BBC) and used the proceeds to improve their hives. Later, they got an opportunity to train at BBC for six months, learning modern hive making, honey harvesting, and apiary management. By the time Janet joined the WeWork – Green and Decent Jobs for Youth project, implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium, they had 14 hives. After attending a five‑day bootcamp in Fort Portal, they learnt about marketing, business planning, and record keeping, skills that they have since implemented in their operations. Project field officers also made follow‑up visits to check on their progress, while Ile de Paix carried out assessments during mentorship sessions to identify youth with strong potential to grow their businesses. Those selected received micro‑grants, with the evaluation and selection process conducted by an independent firm to ensure transparency. Fortunately for Janet, she was among the 22 project participants who received a UGX 1,000,000 (€239) micro-grant. In addition, she received six local hives and an airtight honey bucket as a start-up kit. With the mmicro-grant, the family bought 20 modernized bamboo hives and 10 Kenya Top Bar (KTB) hives These are semi-modern beehives, with a simple trough-like design with a row of wooden bars along the top where bees build their honeycombs naturally. Today, the couple has 57 hives spread across three apiaries, and their target is 100 hives by the end of 2026. “We want to keep growing and even establish another apiary in Kasese,” Janet says. They now sell honey to BBC and Bulalo Foundation. By selling through a youth group, they earn UGX 12,000(€3) per kilogram instead of the lower individual price of UGX10,000 (€2) per kilogram. Janet says that beekeeping has become an important source of income for their household, complementing their coffee farming. With the earnings from both activities, she and her husband are able to provide comfortably for their five children and plan for a more secure future. “Bee keeping is seasonal, so we also grow coffee. The training taught us the importance of diversification,” she says. They continue saving through a village savings group and are preparing for future expansion as their apiary business grows.
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How Mumbere Misaheri turned a small stall into a growing poultry business
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
Before joining the WeWork project, Mumbere Misaheri was earning a living by selling eggs, chapatis, bread and offering catering services for Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in the neighbourhood. Although he had always wanted to rear poultry, he never knew how or where to begin. “From when I was young, I always thought I would rear poultry, but I did not know how to start,” he says. When he heard about the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project through friends, he applied and was selected. Implemented by Enabel in partnership with Ile de Paix and The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA), with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium, the project gave him the opportunity to attend a five‑day bootcamp in Fort Portal, where he learnt business planning, time management, and diversification. “The bootcamp motivated me to start because I saw that poultry could become a profitable business,” he says.Using money from his small business, he started with 100 birds and later shifted from broilers to kroilers, which grow quickly and have strong market demand. Today, his poultry enterprise operates alongside a small restaurant where he sells roasted chicken, eggs, and other foods. Through the project, he received 32 trays of eggs as a start‑up kit and later a UGX 1,000,000 micro‑grant (€239), which he used to buy 300 birds. Ile de Paix carries out an assessment of youth after the bootcamp while they are undergoing mentorship sessions, and those identified as having strong potential to grow their businesses are selected to receive the micro‑grant. The assessment, evaluation, and selection are conducted by an independent firm to ensure fairness and transparency. He now runs the business in cycles, selling birds and restocking regularly. “I sell, buy more birds, and sell again,” he explains. At his peak, he managed 500 birds and currently keeps about 220. “Right now I can earn about UGX 750,000 (€179) or more per month. My goal is to reach 1,000 birds and earn about UGX 1.5 million (€359) per month,” he says. With part of his earnings, he has already purchased land where he hopes to build a larger poultry enterprise in the future.
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Eva turns struggles into success through beekeeping in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
Evas Natukunda has been a beekeeper since 2022. After completing training as a medical assistant, she spent six years at home without work. This is because the number of graduates far exceeded the available opportunities. Eventually, she decided to embrace beekeeping as a new path. “I failed to get a job as a medical assistant because the graduates were very many compared to the available jobs”, She said.Her turning point came when a friend invited her to join a beekeeping association. She was given three bee hives and later introduced to Bunyangabu Beekeepers’ Cooperative (BBC), where she trained in apiary. “I learnt how to keep bees and how to make hives. I do not fear bees anymore,” she says. As she continued learning, Evas heard about the WeWork – Green and Decent Jobs for Youth project, implemented by Ile de Paix and Enabel with funding from the European Union and the Government of Belgium. She applied, was selected, and went on to attend a one‑week bootcamp. Before the bootcamp, Evas had 25 bee hives, with a dream of owing 100 hives within a year. Evas managed 25 beehives and dreamed of expanding to 100 within a year. By the time of this interview, she had already reached 92 hives, 66 of which were colonized. She makes local hives from bamboo and has also built Kenya Top Bar (KTB) hives. These are semi-modern bee hives designed to bridge the gap between primitive, traditional hives and expensive, fully framed industrial boxes. After completing the bootcamp, which every project participant undertakes, Evas added 35 more KTB hives to her enterprise. “I became more motivated after the bootcamp because I learnt about diversification, investment, marketing and how to sell honey to different buyers,” she says. Her business has also grown beyond one customer. She now sells honey to both BBC and Bulalo Foundation, a market connection she accessed through the project. In addition, she keeps records of her sales and plans to continue expanding. She currently has three apiaries: one on her father’s land and two on her own land in Karugutu, along the Fort Portal-Bundibugyo road in Western Uganda. She expects her next harvest season to bring better earnings and hopes to eventually buy more land through the income from beekeeping.
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Team Building 2026 d’Enabel Burkina Faso : Construire ensemble une équipe plus forte, plus humaine et plus innovante
Geoffroy ZONGO | 30/06/2026
Les 4 et 5 juin 2026, le personnel d’Enabel Burkina Faso s’est retrouvé dans le cadre apaisant et verdoyant du Dima Hôtel de Tintilou pour vivre une expérience collective unique, placée sous le signe de la cohésion, du bien-être et de l’engagement. Plus qu’un simple moment de détente, ce Team Building s’inscrit pleinement dans la volonté d’Enabel de renforcer l’esprit d’équipe et de valoriser son capital humain, cœur de son action.Deux jours d’activités au service de la cohésionLe Dima Hôtel de Tintilou a offert un espace idéal pour sortir du cadre professionnel habituel et favoriser des interactions authentiques entre collègues. Dès leur arrivée, les participants ont été immergés dans une atmosphère conviviale, propice à la déconnexion, à l’écoute et à la création de liens durables.Le programme, riche et soigneusement conçu, a alterné moments de réflexion, activités collaboratives et instants de convivialité.Parmi les temps forts :• Des activités participatives comme « Tout le monde peut innover » favorisant la créativité et les échanges ;• Des moments dynamiques tels que le « sport des levés tôt » et la « bataille des bases », renforçant l’esprit d’équipe ;• Une soirée rétro conviviale, permettant à chacun de se retrouver dans un cadre informel et festif avec un Dress Code des années 60. Ces activités ont permis de créer une dynamique collective forte, basée sur la collaboration, l’écoute et le respect mutuel qui sont des valeurs essentielles au sein d’Enabel.La reconnaissance au cœur de l’événementMoment phare du Team Building, la cérémonie de reconnaissance des prix internes a permis de mettre en lumière les talents, les initiatives et les valeurs portées par les collaborateurs. Ainsi, au total onze prix et des mentions spéciales ont été décernées à des collaborateurs et des équipes dont la détermination quotidienne a contribué à l’atteinte des différents résultats. Au-delà des récompenses, cette initiative a contribué à renforcer une culture de reconnaissance positive, essentielle à la motivation et au sentiment d’appartenance des équipes.Un esprit d’équipe qui se prolonge au-delà de l’événementSi les deux jours à Tintilou ont permis de vivre une expérience intense et fédératrice, leur impact dépasse largement le cadre de l’événement. Les échanges, les rires et les apprentissages partagés continueront d’alimenter une dynamique collective au quotidien. Comme le souligne le message clé de l’événement : « Une équipe, une vision ! ».Le Team Building 2026 d’Enabel Burkina Faso restera comme un moment fort de la vie institutionnelle : un moment où l’humain, la reconnaissance et la collaboration ont été mis à l’honneur. Dans un contexte professionnel en constante évolution, de telles initiatives confirment l’ambition d’Enabel de construire une organisation résolument tournée vers l’humain, l’innovation et l’impact durable.
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Growing a poultry business in Uganda with a clear vision
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
Joylene Biira, 27 was a small holder farmer with 15 birds, which she used to keep in a small shelter. It was a modest business that helped her earn an income to provide for her family. Today, she has expanded her flock to 100 birds, which she has moved into a bigger poultry house. To grow her business, Joylene accessed a loan of UGX 200,000 (about €49) from a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group that she belongs to. She combined it with UGX 450,000 (about €110) from the sale of her initial 15 birds and used the money to buy 100 chicks, feeds and vaccines. By June 2026, she had already started repaying the loan. She keeps dual purpose birds for both meat and egg production and plans to move them into an even bigger shelter as they continue to grow. By the time of this interview, Joylene was undergoing mentorship from Ille de Paix after having completed a residential bootcamp under the WeWork-green and decent jobs for youth project. RCA is a partner organization working with Ile de Paix implements this project in the Rwenzori region, alongside The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA) and Enabel. "One thing that stood out for me during the bootcamp was that I needed a business plan with a goal and a vision for my business," she says. Today, that vision is clearly displayed on a vision board hanging inside her poultry house. The plan serves as a reminder to her of where she wants her business to be in the next three years. Her target is to grow her flock to 500 birds. In addition to equipping her with skills to develop a business plan, the training also gave her practical knowledge on poultry management. "I learnt that one-day-old chicks need preparation before you bring them home. The room must be warm and ready, with drinkers, glucose and warm water." Joylene says the idea of expanding her poultry business started during the bootcamp in December 2025. When the mentorship sessions began, she took the next step by borrowing money through her VSLA and investing in more birds. The mentorship includes regular visits from extension workers who monitor her progress and provide technical guidance. "They come to check on my birds and advise me whenever I face challenges," she says. Among the challenges she has encountered are rats that eat poultry feeds and eagles that attempt to enter the poultry house, increasing the risk of disease. The guidance she receives from the extension workers has helped her respond to such challenges. Joylene's first customers were a nearby hotel that bought her initial 15 birds. She hopes to continue supplying the hotel as her business grows and is optimistic that the mentorship will also help her access more markets. "Rearing chicken is easy as long as you have shelter and feeds for the birds. It is a profitable business with a ready market," she says. Although she dreamed of becoming an accountant, Joylene could not continue beyond Senior Six because of a lack of school fees. However, the bootcamp introduced her to record keeping, a skill she now uses to monitor her business income and expenses. Her immediate plan is to sell 50 birds while keeping the other 50 to continue growing the business. She expects each mature bird to sell for between UGX 40,000 (€ 9.5) and UGX 50,000 (€12), allowing her to build enough capital to steadily increase her flock until she reaches her target of 500 birds. A mother of two, Joylene also grows cowpeas and onions and keeps pigs. These combined activities provide the steady income she needs to care for her children and build a brighter future for her family.
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Clovice refuses to let disability define his future in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
When Clovice Kyomuhendo noticed that people in his neighbourhood travelled long distances to buy chicken, he saw this as a business opportunity. He decided to start small, considering his small savings. In 2025, Clovice started small by buying six birds to rear at home. By the time of this interview, his flock had grown to 27, and he was already making plans to expand his poultry business further. Clovice applied and joined the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project after hearing about it from The Association of Rwenzori Community (RCA). RCA, is an organsition that works with Ille de Paix to implement this project in the Rwenzori region, alongside Enabel. By the time Clovice joined the project, he had already begun his poultry business but recognized the need for additional skills to improve it. Through the training, he gained knowledge in poultry management, record keeping, and feed formulation techniques that help reduce production costs. "The training took me to another level because of the knowledge I gained," he says. Clovice is physically disabled and uses a wheelchair, but that has not stopped him from running his business. He works closely with family members who help with the physical tasks while he manages the enterprise. "I did not want to feel sorry for myself because of my disability," he says. "I am a man and I must fend for myself. Where I cannot manage alone, I ask for help from my parents and relatives." After completing Primary Seven, Clovice was unable to continue with formal education due to a spinal cord condition that left him paralysed. As he reflected on his future, his parents enrolled him in a tailoring course, which he embraced wholeheartedly. Today, he owns a special sewing machine designed for use without legs, enabling him to work independently and pursue his craft. Beyond his own work, Clovice also trains other young people in tailoring free of charge. “I let them pay for my training services only after they start working and start earning income”,he explains. As he makes money from tailoring, his poultry business is continuing to grow. He currently sells birds at between UGX 38,000 (€9) and UGX (€9.5) higher than before because they are healthier and better managed. He also keeps detailed business records and has written down a clear growth plan. By 2028, he hopes to have 500 birds. He is also saving UGX 10,000 (€2) every week through a Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA), while using income from tailoring to expand his poultry enterprise. By the time of this interview, Clovice had already requested 20 one-month-old chicks and 70 kilogrammes of feeds as his start up kit. According to Lamark Muhindo, a project officer with RCA, every participant in the WeWork project who completes the bootcamp and begins mentoring sessions receives a start‑up kit tailored to their most immediate needs. The kit is provided in kind and is valued at no more than UGX 500,000 (€120). Clovice chose to rear dual‑purpose birds, which are well suited to his management system. “Because of the breed, they can safely spend some time scavenging outside for food, which helps reduce feeding costs,” Lamark explains. For Clovice, the business is about much more than selling chickens. He says that It is proof that disability does not have to determine a person's future.
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Once a bar owner, now a promising poultry business owner in Uganda
Jovia KAVULU | 30/06/2026
Donam Kobugabe used to earn a living by running a small bar a few metres from her mother's home. As a single mother of three, it helped her survive, but she always struggled to make ends meet. "I wasn't even sure whether I was making profits," she recalls. Everything changed when she heard about the WeWork – green and decent jobs for youth project and decided to apply. When she was invited to attend the residential bootcamp, she almost declined. She wondered who would run her bar while she was away. Her mother convinced her to go, promising to look after the business and Donam's two older children. Donam attended the training with her baby, while her mother remained at home. "The bootcamp was inclusive. They allowed mothers with babies to attend together with a caregiver," she says. During the training, Donam listened to fellow entrepreneurs share how they had built successful poultry businesses from just a few birds. Their stories made her look differently at the empty poultry shelter her late grandmother had left behind. "I thought to myself, if they started with five birds and are doing well, why can't I?" After returning home, she discussed the idea with her mother, who encouraged her to give it a try. She also sought advice from her aunt, who was already a poultry farmer, and even spent time at her farm learning how to brood chicks. Confident that she had gained enough knowledge, Donam made a bold decision. She sold her bar for UGX 1 million (€239) and borrowed UGX 1.5 million (€356) from her Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). Together, the money enabled her to buy 150 day-old chicks. "It was my first time rearing chickens and I was anxious. I kept checking on them because I had been told that if I didn't manage them well, they could die." The effort paid off. Although she lost five birds, she sold the remaining 145 birds and made a profit of about UGX 290,000 (€69) in just one and a half months. "I realised this business was much better than the bar. I used the profit to pay school fees for my children." She immediately restocked another 150 birds and later increased her flock to 300 birds after receiving a UGX 1 million micro-grant (€239) through the project. Her journey has not been without setbacks. Disease later affected one flock after she unknowingly bought sick chicks from a supplier. Out of 300 birds, only 70 survived. Despite the loss, Donam has not given up. "I love this business very much and I have no plans of quitting. It brings in money quickly." She has already placed another order for chicks but is waiting until the poultry house has been fully disinfected before bringing in a new flock. The project also introduced her to record keeping and business planning. "Before the training, I would get money and spend it carelessly on things like hairstyles and clothes. I never thought about planning. The training changed my mindset." Her business plan was later selected among the best, earning her the micro-grant that helped her expand. Today, Donam sells birds to roadside chicken sellers and keeps in touch through WhatsApp with regular customers who contact her whenever they need stock. She now saves half of her profits while using the other half to meet household needs. "I thought I would never leave the bar business," she says. "But now I don't miss it at all."
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Protection des ressources en eau : Enabel renforce les actions des Comités Locaux de l'Eau dans les régions des Koulsé et de Oubri
Geoffroy ZONGO | 29/06/2026
Du 17 au 19 juin 2026, une mission de suivi et de supervision conduite par l'Agence de l'Eau du Nakanbé (AEN) a permis d'évaluer les réalisations des Comités Locaux de l'Eau (CLE) Nakanbé Bomboré et Niima Zaabo en matière de protection des ressources en eau dans les provinces du Ganzourgou et du Namentenga.Cette mission a mis en évidence les progrès significatifs enregistrés sur les berges des barrages de Taba et de Kabouda, où des ouvrages de lutte contre l'érosion ont été réalisés grâce à la forte mobilisation des communautés locales. Les travaux comprennent notamment la construction de cordons pierreux, le traitement de ravines et des actions de reboisement destinées à limiter l'ensablement des retenues d'eau et à préserver durablement les ressources hydriques.Au total, près de 1 900 mètres de cordons pierreux ont été aménagés sur les différents sites visités, accompagnés de plusieurs seuils de stabilisation, contribuant ainsi à renforcer la résilience des écosystèmes et des populations riveraines face aux effets du changement climatique.Au-delà de l'évaluation des réalisations, la mission a également permis d'apporter un accompagnement technique aux acteurs locaux, d'identifier les défis rencontrés sur le terrain et de définir des pistes d'amélioration afin de garantir la pérennité des ouvrages.Ces activités sont financées par Enabel, l'Agence belge de coopération internationale, dans le cadre du Portefeuille Thématique Climat Sahel – volet Burkina Faso (PTCS-BFA). À travers cet appui, Enabel accompagne le renforcement de la gouvernance locale de l'eau et la mise en œuvre d'approches participatives de gestion intégrée des ressources en eau, essentielles pour améliorer la résilience des territoires face aux changements climatiques.Les résultats observés illustrent l'impact concret du partenariat entre l'AEN, Enabel et les communautés locales, ainsi que leur engagement commun en faveur d'une gestion durable des ressources en eau au Burkina Faso.
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Boghé accueille un atelier régional sur l’alimentation du bétail et le développement des systèmes d’élevage durables en Mauritanie
Aminata KANE | 29/06/2026
Boghé (Brakna), 20–21 juin 2026 – Face aux défis climatiques et économiques croissants, la Fédération Nationale de l’Élevage (FNE), en partenariat avec le Ministère de l’Élevage et Enabel grâce au financement de l'Union européenne, a réuni à Boghé les principaux acteurs du secteur des wilayas du Brakna, du Trarza, du Gorgol et du Guidimakha. Cet atelier régional stratégique marque un tournant vers la transformation et la résilience de l’élevage mauritanien.Une mobilisation multisectorielle d’envergure Placée sous la présidence du Conseiller juridique du Ministre de l’Élevage et en présence des autorités locales, cette rencontre a matérialisé une forte synergie interinstitutionnelle. Elle a rassemblé les ministères de l’Élevage, de l’Agriculture et de la Souveraineté Alimentaire, Enabel, les projets sectoriels majeurs (PDCF, PRAPS 2, SYSALIM) et l'ONARDEP, aux côtés des organisations professionnelles d’éleveurs. En marge des discussions, une exposition du PDCF a mis en valeur les équipements et semences indispensables au renforcement de la production fourragère.L’approche Enabel : Intensification et Durabilité Au cœur des échanges techniques alignés sur la Stratégie décennale du secteur de l’élevage (2026–2035), Enabel a partagé son expertise sur les systèmes d’élevage intensif et semi-intensif. Présentés comme des alternatives indispensables et complémentaires au pastoralisme traditionnel, ces modèles ouvrent la voie à une meilleure maîtrise des ressources, à la structuration de la filière lait et à la réduction de la vulnérabilité des éleveurs face aux aléas climatiques.Des solutions structurelles et une feuille de route claire Pour assurer la sécurité alimentaire du cheptel, les participants ont formulé plusieurs recommandations clés :Développer l’autonomie alimentaire : Étendre les cultures fourragères dans les zones à fort potentiel et valoriser les résidus agricoles.Moderniser et financer : Faciliter l’accès aux financements, aux équipements de mécanisation et renforcer les modèles d’élevage semi-intensif.Accompagner les acteurs : Consolider les capacités des organisations professionnelles et renforcer les services vétérinaires de proximité.Cet atelier de Boghé pose les jalons d'un engagement collectif fort pour moderniser la filière, augmenter durablement la production animale et adapter le secteur aux enjeux environnementaux actuels.
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The EU Circular Economy Resource Centre celebrates an eventful start
Nicoletta FAVARETTO | 29/06/2026
The EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) is accelerating the transition to a circular economy. Since its unveiling at WCEF2025 in Brazil, experts from the centre have engaged in a flurry of activity to boost the circular economy in EU partner countries. “The EU CERC is not just a resource centre; it is a catalyst for change straddling multiple countries,” was how Kari Herlevi, Programme Director at Sitra International Programmes, explained the new centre to the participants at the World Circular Economy Forum 2025.The centre encourages circular economy cooperation between the EU and partner countries among businesses, governments and NGOs. It shares circular economy policy and business know-how from the EU, particularly in electronics, batteries and renewables, infrastructure and construction, as well as industry and mining. Key themes for the centre include ecodesign, extended producer responsibility (EPR), road maps, finance and business support.Read the full article by David J. Cord here: https://www.sitra.fi/en/news/the-eu-circular-economy-resource-centre-celebrates-an-eventful-start/
