In Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement, the FOLONA hub is transforming lives by teaching refugees permaculture—a sustainable farming practice that addresses food insecurity, climate challenges, and gender inequality through community-led education.
- Over 500 refugees trained in permaculture across seven nationalities
- FOLONA integrates food security, gender equality, and climate resilience
- Women receive leadership and reproductive health support alongside farming skills
What happened
Rolande Ansiima Casinga founded FOLONA, a community-based organization in Uganda’s Nakivale Refugee Settlement, after seeking refuge from conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recognizing the challenges refugees face—from food ration cuts to environmental degradation—she focused on permaculture as a sustainable solution. Since its establishment in 2021 and official registration in 2022, FOLONA has cultivated a community farm that serves as both an educational center and a shared space for refugees from seven nationalities to practice sustainable agriculture together.
The organization has conducted more than a dozen Permaculture Design Certificate courses, equipping over 500 refugees with skills in regenerative farming techniques like agroforestry, polycultures, composting, and water-efficient irrigation. This training empowers participants to apply sustainable farming methods on their own plots, enhancing food security and creating livelihood opportunities within the settlement and beyond.
Why it feels good
FOLONA’s approach goes beyond farming techniques by integrating social goals such as women’s empowerment and community cohesion. The organization offers practical workshops that build leadership, financial literacy, and reproductive health awareness among refugee and host-community women. By distributing over 1,000 reusable sanitary pads, FOLONA addresses menstrual health challenges that affect school attendance and community participation.
This holistic work showcases how refugee-led initiatives can restore dignity and hope, breaking cycles of dependence on humanitarian aid and encouraging refugees to build resilient lives. The recognition of FOLONA on the international stage, including Rolande’s presentation at a major permaculture conference in Taiwan, highlights the wide-reaching impact and inspiration generated by this grassroots project.
What to enjoy or watch next
As FOLONA continues to expand its programs, watch for how permaculture education influences wider refugee self-reliance initiatives in Uganda and neighboring countries. Graduates from the courses are increasingly becoming trainers themselves, spreading sustainable farming knowledge through a growing network of community educators.
Supporters of sustainable development and refugee empowerment can follow FOLONA’s progress, explore collaboration opportunities, or learn about permaculture principles through their courses. This story is a bright example of how nature-focused solutions and community leadership flourish even in the most challenging circumstances, offering fresh pathways to hope and resilience.