In Kenya’s Soy South Ward, Elgeyo Marakwet County. Changing rainfall patterns have disrupted traditional farming schedules, challenging local farmers who once planted in February but now must wait until April or May. Also recurring landslides are greatly experienced affecting livelihoods of many people. Rather than passively facing these shifts, the community has taken an active role in finding sustainable solutions to protect their livelihoods and environment.

Faced with these challenges, the community has engaged in a sustainable farming program—not just to receive aid, but to drive their own adaptation. Led by youth, they identified coffee as a suitable cash crop to boost economic resilience and requested seeds and resources to cultivate nursery beds. Additionally, they sought grevillea trees to plant alongside coffee, following an agroforestry model that offers both economic and environmental benefits. While coffee provides income, grevillea trees help conserve soil, improve soil health, and increase biodiversity, helping reduce landslide risks.

This initiative highlights the strength of community knowledge and leadership in finding sustainable, context-specific solutions. Local farmers, with a deep understanding of their environment, have embraced a resilient agroforestry model. Through this program, they are gaining essential skills in nursery management and sustainable farming, which not only boosts their adaptability but also enables them to share knowledge, fostering a cycle of resilience and empowerment that will benefit future generations.

Soy South Ward’s story shows that when communities are empowered to lead, they drive relevant, lasting change. By actively participating, they are not only adapting to climate challenges but also building a foundation for a resilient, prosperous future. This is the power of community engagement in creating local climate heroes.