How rural settlements in Gakenke and Kirehe are strengthening communities’ Rmresilience to climate change

In Rwanda’s Gakenke and Kirehe Districts, the development of planned rural settlements known as imidugudu is creating new opportunities to improve livelihoods, bring essential services closer to communities and strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change.

The settlements are being developed under the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA)’s project, Ecosystem/Landscape Approach to Climate Proof the Rural Settlement Programme of Rwanda, commonly known as LDCF3. The initiative seeks to move beyond the provision of housing by integrating socioeconomic development, environmental protection and climate adaptation measures into rural settlement planning.

The project is implemented in partnership with the Rwanda Housing Authority (RHA) and the districts of Gakenke and Kirehe, with support from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

The settlements incorporate a range of facilities and livelihood activities, including agakiriro—small-scale production and craft centres—rainwater harvesting systems, livestock rearing, Early Childhood Development (ECD) centres and greenhouse agriculture. These interventions are expected to help residents increase household incomes, improve food security, generate employment and access essential services closer to home.

A defining feature of the initiative is its integrated approach to rural development, bringing economic activities, social services and livelihood opportunities together within a shared settlement. This model enables residents to engage in income-generating activities, agricultural production and livestock farming while benefiting from services that support household wellbeing and community development.

In Muzo settlement in Gakenke District, an agakiriro is under construction to provide space for craftsmanship, small-scale enterprises and other productive activities. In Kirehe District, the project includes the Imigongo Hub, a centre intended to enable community members to display and sell imigongo, a distinctive traditional Rwandan art form that reflects the country’s cultural heritage. Designated trading areas are also being established to support local commerce and strengthen livelihood opportunities.

Through these facilities, residents are expected to gain access to employment, develop practical skills, improve the quality of their products and expand their market opportunities. Such initiatives can also stimulate local economic activity and strengthen household financial security.

Iragena Jean Felix, a resident of Muzo settlement in Gakenke District, believes that completing the agakiriro will significantly improve livelihoods, particularly for young people.

“Once agakiriro is completed, we will have thousands of opportunities to improve our lives, especially for young people. We are grateful to REMA and the other partners who have supported this project, and especially to our President, H.E. Paul Kagame, for his good leadership, which is the foundation of this development,” Iragena said.

The integration of Early Childhood Development centres is another important component of the initiative. These facilities support young children’s development while enabling parents and caregivers, particularly women, to participate more actively in productive and income-generating activities.

Jeannette Ufitinema, a resident of Muzo settlement, says the completion of the ECD centre has eased childcare responsibilities for parents, giving them more time to pursue economic activities.

“We are no longer worried about leaving our children at home. Since the ECD was completed, every parent brings their children to the ECD and has time to do other income-generating activities without any problems,” she said.

Livestock rearing provides another avenue for livelihood diversification. When supported by appropriate animal husbandry practices, veterinary services and access to markets, livestock can contribute to household income, improve nutrition and provide productive assets that help families withstand economic shocks.

Climate change continues to pose significant challenges to rural livelihoods, particularly through shifting rainfall patterns, droughts and other weather-related hazards that affect agricultural productivity and household incomes. In response, the settlements incorporate interventions designed to improve natural resource management and strengthen communities’ adaptive capacity.

Rainwater harvesting systems provide opportunities to capture and store rainfall for domestic and productive uses. By improving access to stored water, these systems can help residents manage periods of water scarcity and make more efficient use of available water resources. Their effectiveness, however, depends on adequate storage capacity, regular maintenance and appropriate water management practices.

Greenhouse agriculture is also being introduced to create opportunities for more controlled crop production. By allowing farmers to manage certain growing conditions, greenhouses can support more efficient use of land and water and potentially improve productivity. When combined with appropriate agricultural techniques, they can also diversify food production and create additional income opportunities.

Together, these interventions demonstrate how rural settlement planning can incorporate climate change adaptation into broader community development. By linking water management, agricultural production and livelihood diversification, the project seeks to reduce vulnerability to climate-related risks while strengthening the foundations of sustainable rural livelihoods.

Beyond improving access to infrastructure and essential services, the establishment of the settlements in Gakenke District is generating employment opportunities for local residents, particularly young people and women.

More than 600 people, including women and young people, are currently engaged in day-to-day activities associated with establishing the settlements and developing their various facilities.

For some young women, these jobs have become an important source of income, enabling them to meet their personal needs, acquire productive assets and strengthen their economic independence.

Bayisenge Josiane, 20, and Iradukunda Sandrine, 18, have been involved in the settlement activities for one year and one and a half years, respectively. Both say the employment opportunities have helped them improve their livelihoods and invest in small livestock as a means of building their economic security.

“Being given a job by this project has been beneficial to me. I have been able to buy small livestock, including pigs and sheep, and now I can solve my own problems without waiting for anyone’s support,” Bayisenge said.

For Iradukunda, earning a regular salary has enabled her to meet her personal needs while investing in livestock to improve her economic circumstances.

“Young girls usually have many needs. We often need clothes, lotions and pocket money to meet our personal needs. I receive my salary regularly, which has enabled me to buy livestock that is helping me get out of poverty,” she said.

The income generated through these jobs is also helping young women strengthen their financial autonomy and make decisions about their lives with greater confidence.

Uwineza Yvonne, 19, says earning her own income has reduced her vulnerability to men who might exploit financial difficulties to pressure young women into sexual relationships.

“No man can deceive me and ruin my life because I can buy everything I need thanks to the job I got from the project. No man can drag me into sexual abuse; I can solve my financial problems myself,” Uwineza said.

She encouraged other young women to take advantage of employment opportunities offered through the project, describing them as a pathway to greater independence and improved livelihoods.

The experiences of these young women illustrate how employment linked to climate-resilient rural development can generate benefits beyond wages alone. By enabling women to earn incomes, acquire productive assets such as livestock and meet their needs independently, the project is contributing to economic empowerment while supporting wider community development.

The LDCF3-supported settlements reflect an integrated development model in which housing, essential services, livelihood opportunities and climate adaptation measures reinforce one another.

By bringing different facilities and productive activities together, the settlements create opportunities for households to diversify their income sources, improve food security and reduce their exposure to climate-related shocks. The model also encourages collaboration among residents, local authorities and development partners in managing shared infrastructure and sustaining the benefits of these investments.

However, the long-term effectiveness of the settlements will depend on how well the facilities are managed, maintained and utilised. Continued capacity-building, technical assistance for farmers and entrepreneurs, improved market access and meaningful community participation will be essential to ensuring that the infrastructure translates into lasting improvements in livelihoods.

These measures are particularly important in ensuring that the benefits extend beyond the construction phase and remain accessible to communities over time.

The experience in Gakenke and Kirehe highlights the potential of integrated rural settlements to serve as more than residential areas. By combining livelihood development, social services, employment generation and climate-smart interventions, the LDCF3 Project offers an approach to rural development that seeks to strengthen both socioeconomic wellbeing and resilience to environmental challenges.

As Rwanda advances its climate-resilient development agenda, initiatives of this nature underscore the importance of placing communities at the centre of adaptation efforts and ensuring that investments in infrastructure are accompanied by opportunities for economic empowerment and sustainable natural resource management.

Ultimately, the success of these settlements will be measured not only by the infrastructure established, but also by the extent to which it improves people’s lives, creates sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthens communities’ capacity to anticipate, withstand and recover from the impacts of climate change.