Climate Conscious
Entrepreneurship
THE CHALLENGE: In the already fragile ecosystems found across the dryland regions of Africa, climate change is a driving force pushing traditionally pastoralist communities deeper into extreme poverty. These ecosystems and the people that live there are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change despite contributing the least to this problem. The people who call these regions home are facing prolonged droughts alongside devastating floods when rain does arrive, further exacerbating unpredictable seasons and chaotic weather events.
OUR SOLUTION: In the face of ever-increasing climate crises, BOMA has developed a climate-oriented adaptation to support resilience building and environmental conservation, starting with the forested areas of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. Through a sustainability-driven approach that is locally developed, managed, and led, participants launch “green” businesses, contribute to local conservation efforts, and engage in mitigation strategies such as the the purchase of water tanks, and the development of tree nurseries and apiaries. We are creating a network of climate-conscious entrepreneurs who are committed to protecting the environment and mitigating the impacts of accelerated climate change.
REAP FOR CLIMATE RESILIENCE
Key Impacts

Sustainable Enterprise
Work with participants to shift away from extractive livelihoods and into sustainable, ‘green’ enterprises (ex. tree nurseries, aloe and honey production).

Political Participation
Facilitate the skills needed and opportunities for participants to participants join local community conservation groups, national initiatives, and take the lead in forest management and restoration

Resource & Ecosystem Conservation
Reduce deforestation and establish tree seedling planting campaigns.
Programs
LIFT NK
One of BOMA’s biggest programs, the Livelihoods and Inclusion for Transformation in Northern Kenya (LIFT NK), funded by IKEA Foundation, has seen the enrollment of over 11,000 participants across Turkana, Marsabit, and Samburu counties (including the refugee communities of Kakuma and Kalobeyei). The program has further expanded its impact to include an additional 4,000 youth, women, and private sector participants via a business incubator program launched with the support of Smart Regional Consultants (SRC). To ensure long-lasting and widespread impact we have partnered with the Kenya Forestry Service, the Environment Directorate Department, and existing Community Forest Associations to draft and approve Participatory Forest Management Plans which have aided and formalized conversation efforts at the local and national level. Approximately 3,650 businesses were launched by the end of 2023.
Green REAP Ethiopia
2,100 participants have been enrolled in the heavily climate-effected Oromia region of Ethiopia in partnership with Caritas Switzerland and funding by the Soderberg, Whole Foods Market, Trafigura, and Cartier Foundations. The program is focused on supporting the restoration of degraded forests and pasture lands and by the end of 2023 over 700 green businesses had been established. New training modules for use at the VSLAs were created via a collaborative community-level project that integrates local village priorities, government policies, and Natural Resource Management (NRM) best practices.
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Help continue our legacy and impact the lives of 3 million women, youth and refugees by 2027.