There is no greater source of inspiration than that which is collectively shared.
Annet Dianah Nannono is a 35-year-old Ugandan woman. She grew up in the village of Kimaanja, in the heart of Masaka. Her coffee farming family instilled in her a deep passion for agriculture from an early age. Now, as a devoted mother and coffee and vegetable grower, Annet understands the challenges smallholder farmers face. Her dedication to sustainable agriculture and unwavering commitment to her community tell an inspiring story of how one person’s passion and expertise can create a more sustainable and prosperous future for all.
“I was transformed from a climate action talker to a climate action doer. With the Solutions Lab, I have been able to network and form meaningful partnerships that can support the development of my climate solution. My knowledge and competencies related to climate change have improved a great deal.” —Annet Dianah Nannono.
The agricultural community of Buwunga—a sub-county in central Uganda’s Masaka district—is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, which include drought, excessive rainfall and damaged ecosystems and, together, are causing food insecurity. Annet grew up in this environment, which is characterized by a prolonged dry season, and knows first-hand how extreme drought and rainfall affect the community. Seeing farmers struggle to adapt to the increasingly extreme conditions motivated her to create a community organization to address knowledge gaps.
Partnering with organic enterprises, she set up a community-based Climate-Smart Agriculture Training Center. And in 2020, inspired by her experiences, Annet founded Farm & Art Space, a community-based initiative in Buwunga. The organization’s mission is to empower rural farmers by imparting practical, eco-friendly, and innovative agricultural knowledge and skills in a delightful and enriching environment. The goal is to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, promote adaptive actions and reduce vulnerability.
To Annet, the Impulsouth’s incubation and mentoring program was a great opportunity to turn her climate solution ideas into real projects. During her time in the program, she obtained a Certificate of Registration for her community organization, which solidified her purpose and fostered collective action. And, using the seed funding she received from Impulsouth, she built a training space and sanitation facility for farmers.
Captured here is a moment with her mentor, Professor Amis Mao, during the Impulsouth incubation process. Her visit to the farmers’ training site marked a significant step forward in her journey.
Participating in the Impulsouth initiative allowed her to learn from visionary leaders and showcase her climate solutions on the world stage. The recognition it brought her also opened doors for broader influence and global collaboration.
Specifically, by virtue of qualifying for Impulsouth’s Solutions Lab, she received a letter supporting her request for COP 27 accreditation. It was this letter of recommendation from Impulsouth that enabled her to get accredited by Uganda’s Department of Climate Change. As a result, she was approved by the United Nations to participate at COP 27 in Egypt, which she attended with the support of the Farm of Francesco and Economy of Love. For her, this opportunity was made possible directly through her participation in the Impulsouth’s Solutions Lab.
Annet’s participation in Impulsouth’s initiative helped solidify her determination to drive positive change and inspire others to join the fight against climate change. Now, she is looking for support and resources to further develop and scale up her solution to ensure a lasting impact.
“Change yourself first, that way, you will find the best climate change solution. The change starts with you, from the way you eat, to the way you move and dispose of things”. Annet Dianah Nannono
Climate Solution Summary
The solution includes a bio-fertilizer laboratory, a 50-seat outdoor training classroom, a shop, administrative offices, demonstration gardens and a sanitation facility. The main objective of setting up a community-based Climate-Smart Agriculture Training
Center with organic enterprises in the sub-county of Buwunga is to promote the responsible use ofenergy and natural resources, thereby maintaining biodiversity and protecting water and human and animal welfare?
The goal is to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural interventions and practices, and adapt to climate change. The community-based organization (CBO) is authorized by the Masaka district government to operate in the sub-county of Buwunga, which encompasses 51 villages across 6 Parishes. This is an opportunity to reach more than 2,000 farmers directly.
The CBO will operate as a community-led social enterprise, providing training and consultation services to the CBO members for free or at subsidized rates. The profits from the social enterprise will be reinvested in social and economic transformation activities to cover the costs of running the project.