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APPLY NOW: Circular Economy Training of Trainers Programme for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in East Africa
Nicoletta FAVARETTO | 02/07/2026
Expression of Interest – Circular Economy Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme for Business Support Organisations (BSOs) in East Africa Are you a Business Support Organisation (BSO) interested in strengthening your capacity to support the transition to a circular economy? Apply to our training of trainers programme! Join our information session on 15 July 2026 at 09:30 CEST / 10:30 East Africa Time (EAT) to learn more about the Circular Economy Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme for BSOs, the first co-hort in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia) and the application process. The programme is organised under the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre (EU CERC) Business Lab and implemented by Circle Economy Foundation. About the Programme The Training of Trainers (ToT) Programme is designed for practitioners from Business Support Organisations who are looking to strengthen circular economy knowledge and application within their organisations and business networks. Participants may either: Work directly with businesses and MSMEs to support the development and implementation of circular economy strategies and business models; or Focus on strengthening internal organisational capacity to deliver training, facilitate learning, and cascade circular economy knowledge across their networks. The programme combines online training, expert insights from European circular economy initiatives, peer learning, practical tools, case studies, and follow-up support through webinars and Communities of Practice. What participants will gain Selected participants will: Build a strong understanding of circular economy principles and sector-specific applications; Develop either a business-focused support programme or an internal capacity-building plan, depending on their chosen pathway; Gain access to practical tools, methods, and frameworks to help businesses identify and implement circular opportunities;Strengthen their ability to deliver, replicate, and cascade circular economy knowledge within their organisations and networks; Exchange experiences and learn from peers across the region; Receive continued support through follow-up webinars and a Community of Practice.Programme Structure The programme will include: A short online orientation session and preparatory activities (August 2026); Two consecutive online training days (September 2026); Four follow-up support sessions over the subsequent months. Participants will be assigned to one of two pathways: Practitioner – Business Pathway For organisations seeking to support businesses and MSMEs in developing and applying circular economy business models and identifying practical circular opportunities. Internal Hub Capacity Pathway For organisations seeking to strengthen internal circular economy knowledge-sharing, facilitation, and training capacity, enabling them to deliver and cascade learning across their networks. Selection Process Participation is competitive and subject to a selection process based on: Alignment with policy and ecosystem priorities Circular economy ambition and vision Inclusivity and stakeholder engagement Capacity to implement and scale Expected long-term ecosystem impact Approximately 15 participants will be selected for the programme with 2 to 3 participants coming from each BSO (representing approximately 7–8 BSOs selected for the programme). Information Session15 July 2026 at 09:30 CEST / 10:30 EAT Join the webinar to learn more about the programme, eligibility criteria, selection process, and participant expectations. Register here: https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/a74d2bfe-ebcd-4852-9c28-f9a6939ac5da@8552ee09-2fab-421d-9ef7-664207bcf596 Submit Your Expression of Interest Interested organisations are invited to submit their Expression of Interest through the application form no later than: 24 July 2026, 15:00 Brussels time (CEST) We look forward to receiving your application and supporting the growth of circular economy expertise across East Africa.
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Quand les femmes de la Tshopo cultivent des opportunités face au changement climatique
Paola VANGU TSAKALA | 02/07/2026
À Kisangani, le Forum et la Foire agricole sur l'entrepreneuriat agricole ont démontré qu'au-delà des défis climatiques, les femmes rurales développent des solutions concrètes pour renforcer la sécurité alimentaire, créer des revenus et dynamiser les économies locales. Sur les étals de la foire agricole, chaque produit racontait une histoire de résilience. Farine de manioc, poivrons, oignons, épices, fruits transformés ou produits maraîchers : derrière ces productions exposées se découvrent des femmes entrepreneures lieux des sept territoires de la province de la Tshopo, déterminés à transformer les contraintes du changement climatique en opportunités. Pendant quatre jours, le Forum et la Foire agricole sur l'entrepreneuriat agricole ont réuni des productrices, des partenaires, des acheteurs et des acteurs du secteur agricole autour d'un objectif commun : renforcer l'entrepreneuriat féminin comme levier de développement durable. Au-delà de la mise en valeur de leurs produits, les participants ont pu développer leur réseau professionnel, partager leurs expériences, découvrir de nouvelles techniques de production et identifier des solutions pour adapter leurs activités à un climat de plus en plus imprévisible. Pour nombre d'entre elles, cette rencontre a constitué une opportunité de mieux faire connaître leurs produits, d'accéder à de nouveaux marchés et de créer des perspectives de croissance pour leurs exploitations. L'initiative a également mis en évidence le rôle central des femmes dans la transformation des systèmes alimentaires locaux. Actrices incontournables de la production agricole, elles contribuent chaque jour à la sécurité alimentaire, à la création d'emplois et à la résilience économique de leurs communautés. Face aux effets croissants du changement climatique, elles démontrent que les solutions existent déjà sur le terrain. En adaptant leurs pratiques agricoles, en diversifiant leurs productions et en développant des activités génératrices de revenus, elles participent activement à la construction d'une agriculture plus résiliente. Organisé du 26 au 29 juin par le Collectif des femmes et la Fondation Gisèle Mombele, avec l'appui du projet Agriculture familiale et entrepreneuriat agricole et rural d'Enabel Tshopo, le Forum illustre une conviction forte : investir dans l'entrepreneuriat féminin, c'est renforcer la résilience climatique, stimuler les économies locales et donner aux femmes les moyens d'être pleinement actrices du développement de leur province. Parce qu'au-delà des récoltes, ce sont des parcours de vie, des familles et des communautés entières qui se transforment.
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Les chambres froides hybrides, une innovation qui transforme durablement la filière pomme de terre en Guinée.
Soua Koly BILIVOGUI | 01/07/2026
Grâce à des chambres froides hybrides fonctionnant à 98 % à l’énergie solaire et seulement 2 % au thermique, les producteurs disposent d’une solution fiable de stockage, même dans les zones isolées sans accès au réseau électrique. Cette technologie permet de réduire les pertes post-récolte, de garantir la disponibilité des semences et des pommes de terre toute l’année, d’augmenter les revenus des producteurs et de stabiliser les prix sur les marchés. Une réussite portée par les communautés elles-mêmes, qui témoigne du potentiel d’un modèle durable, rentable et réplicable
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En Mauritanie : Co-construire l’avenir de la riziculture familiale avec le projet SECURALIM
Aminata KANE | 01/07/2026
Du 21 au 30 juin 2026, le projet SECURALIM a franchi une étape décisive pour la structuration agricole dans la vallée du fleuve Sénégal. Une mission stratégique a sillonné les wilayas du Trarza, du Brakna et du Gorgol pour restituer les diagnostics organisationnels de 24 coopératives rizicoles et co-construire leurs plans d'action.Financé par l’Union européenne et mis en œuvre par Enabel, le programme SECURALIM vise à renforcer les exploitations agropastorales et à bâtir des filières durables et inclusives. Pour optimiser la gestion des coopératives familiales et consolider leurs liens avec les usiniers, le projet s'appuie sur un partenaire de choix : le Centre de Gestion et d'Economie Rurale (CGER) Vallée, fort de 20 ans d'expertise au Sénégal.Une démarche participative ancrée sur le terrainMenés selon la méthodologie active DABU (Découverte Active des Besoins Utilitaires), les ateliers régionaux de Kaédi, Bogué et Rosso ont réuni les acteurs clés de la filière : dirigeants de coopératives, agents de la SONADER, représentants de la FRAT et usiniers.Les discussions ont permis d'analyser sans tabou trois axes essentiels:L'organisation institutionnelle (gouvernance et formalisation juridique). La gestion interne (campagnes agricoles, comptabilité et outils opérationnels).Les relations partenariats (liens contractuels avec les banques et les transformateurs). « L'objectif n'est pas d'imposer des modèles, mais de partir de l'expérience concrète des producteurs pour bâtir des règles de gestion adaptées à leurs réalités ».Vers un conseil de gestion pérenneL'exercice s’est clôturé le 30 juin à Nouakchott par un atelier national de restitution consolidée. Au-delà de la validation des constats, cette mission débouche sur des résultats concrets : la production de 4 rapports de synthèse et la co-construction de plans de renforcement sur mesure. Ces données alimenteront directement les futurs modules de formation du projet et viendront nourrir la réflexion de la SONADER pour l'instauration d'un dispositif de conseil agricole permanent et durable.Ensemble, Enabel et ses partenaires posent les bases d'une riziculture mauritanienne plus autonome, performante et résiliente.
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Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) roundup: new partnerships and commitments
Taisiia DRUZIUK | 01/07/2026
At the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) 2026 in Gdańsk, Enabel announced a series of partnerships with national and international stakeholders to support Ukraine’s sustainable recovery and development.The Ministry of Health of Ukraine, Enabel, and the Estonian Centre for International Development (ESTDEV) signed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the launch of a Bachelor’s programme in Occupational Therapy in Ukraine. Belgium and Estonia will contribute to strengthening the capacity of occupational therapists by aligning university curricula with European standards, supporting academic staff through evidence-based training, and facilitating international exchanges. The programme will also include guest lectures from Belgian and Estonian experts and internship opportunities abroad.Enabel also reaffirmed its commitment to regional recovery through a Memorandum with the Chernihiv Regional State Administration. The partnership supports a growing portfolio of 13 projects across education, healthcare, and civil protection in the region.In parallel, a new agreement with the Kyiv Regional State Administration will deepen cooperation in vocational education and training (VET). Enabel will continue supporting selected institutions in their transformation into Centres of Vocational Excellence, while investing in infrastructure, energy resilience, and expanded access to training for adults, including veterans and internally displaced persons.In the energy sector, Enabel and the State Agency on Energy Efficiency and Energy Saving of Ukraine agreed to collaborate on deploying innovative solutions to improve energy efficiency across industries and municipal services. The partnership also includes capacity-building initiatives and support for expanding the network of decarbonisation and energy efficiency offices.Beyond formal agreements, Enabel actively contributed to strategic discussions at URC 2026. At a Ministry of Economy workshop on human capital mobilisation, Country Director Dirk Deprez highlighted the Active Labour Market Policies (ALMP) Facility and presented the Junior Academy, an innovative public-private partnership piloted with Bosch Ukraine.Enabel also participated in the first high-level Steering Committee meeting of the International Coalition for Science, Research, and Innovation in Ukraine. The roundtable, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Tetyana Berezhna and European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, addressed key challenges and opportunities in Ukraine’s science and innovation ecosystem. As one of 55 member organisations, Enabel signed the Gdańsk Declaration on Science, Research and Innovation in Ukraine, reaffirming its commitment to supporting both immediate needs and the long-term development of Ukraine’s research and innovation sector as part of a resilient and sustainable recovery.
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World of Coffee: Big turnout for TDC cupping session
Samuel POOS | 01/07/2026
On 26 June, as part of the official WOC cupping session programme, our tasting event in Cupping Room 2 turned into a buzzing marketplace for B2B matchmaking. International buyers turned out in numbers to discover the exceptional flavour of premium African specialty coffee from 17 producer organisations and businesses.Buyers and professional roasters evaluated high-quality terroirs from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia. Feedback from the participation enterprises has been very positive! The session served as a prime commercial meeting point, sparking interest and leading to numerous business contacts. Through our targeted coaching programmes, TDC supports coffee cooperatives in areas like marketing, finance and business management, traceability, decent work, and alignment with EUDR. Seeing them shine on a global stage, supporting local autonomy and empowering women and young producers is at the heart of our mission.
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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.
