A group of people in orange vests gathers around a person kneeling in a field of tall grass.

Testing new ideas to advance agricultural resilience

A review of the RAIN Challenge in 2025

In 2025, the RAIN Challenge entered a new phase, with two programme rounds running concurrently. While the winners of the second round of the challenge in 2024 focused on implementing their initiatives, a new cohort was selected and began developing, testing and implementing ideas that address emerging challenges in agricultural resilience. 2025 also marked the end of the initial three-year period of the RAIN Challenge. In this web article we showcase the non-profit projects funded by the Munich Re Foundation and implemented during the past year as well as highlight the main achievements of three years of RAIN.

RAIN 2 Winners: Leading the way in sustainable and nature-positive agriculture

From a pool of 23 finalists, 11 initiatives received funding for a twelve-month implementation period in 2025. Among these, six nonprofit projects received grants from the Munich Re Foundation and Sida, focusing on climate-resilient livelihoods, inclusive food systems, and nature-positive agricultural practices. During this implementation phase, they built on their project concepts refined in earlier stages of the RAIN Challenge and generated insights from practical implementation.

MAVUNOLAB – Solar powered fish drying for resilient livelihoods

Tanzania
MAVUNOLAB deploys affordable, solar‑powered fish drying facilities for small‑scale fish processors around Lake Victoria. The initiative reduces post‑harvest losses and food safety risks linked to traditional drying and smoking methods, while lowering greenhouse gas emissions. By improving product quality and preservation, the project strengthens incomes and food security, particularly for women engaged in fish processing.

Inclusive Small Firms Africa (ISFA) – Indigenous trees and non timber forest products

Kenya
Implemented in West Pokot County, this initiative integrates Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration (FMNR) with sustainable pasture management and beekeeping. By promoting indigenous tree regeneration alongside honey and pasture seed value chains, the project contributes to restoring degraded landscapes while improving food, nutrition, and income security in dryland contexts.

A group of people gathers around a beekeeping setup in a field with banana trees in the background. — Demonstration of the communal honey processing equipment

Chyullu Development Foundation C.B.O – Sustainable beekeeping and local value chains

Kenya
Implemented in marginalised areas of Chyullu and Tsavo, the Ukulima Bora, Mazingira Bora project strengthens traditional beekeeping as a source of income and resilience. The initiative supports farmers though training, improved hive production, and upgrades to local honey aggregation and processing facilities. By equipping existing honey processors with efficient tools, solar power, and basic infrastructure, the project enhances production efficiency and reduces losses. In parallel, it engages local youth in sustainable hive production, contributing to improved livelihoods and more resilient local value chains.

Four people stand on rocky terrain with sparse vegetation and trees, some with hanging boxes, under a cloudy sky. — Beehives placed in trees

AGRICORE - Digital and field based innovation for resilient farming systems

Burundi
Agricore supports smallholder farmers in Burundi through in‑person Farmer Field Schools combined with targeted digital support. Farmers receive hands‑on training in soil fertility management, crop cultivation, and plant disease control. These activities are complemented by the AGRICORE digital platform, which supports weather monitoring, plant disease identification, and access to markets, strengthening productivity and resilience at farm level.

A group of people in orange vests gathers in a green field, listening to a speaker in front of them. — Farmer training on climate-resilient agricultural practices

Solidaridad East and Central Africa – Climate smart coffee agroforestry

Tanzania
This initiative promotes climate‑smart coffee agroforestry by linking regenerative farming practices with green financing and carbon trading mechanisms. Smallholder farmers adopt agroforestry systems that improve ecosystem health while enhancing long‑term productivity. By addressing barriers to climate finance, the project facilitates access to co‑funding and performance‑based incentives, aligned with sustainability objectives.

A group of people tending to young plants in a greenhouse, watering and planting seedlings. — Indoor training session on agricultural practices

Trans-Harmony Farms – Inclusive agriculture for food security

Uganda
Trans‑Harmony Farms addresses economic exclusion and food insecurity by establishing an inclusive agricultural hub in rural Uganda. The initiative creates opportunities for skills development, sustainable farming, and income generation, enabling vulnerable community members to participate in local food systems. In addition to economic outcomes, the project strengthens social cohesion and promotes inclusive approaches to climate‑smart agriculture.

RAIN 3 Winners: Transforming agriculture in East Africa

2025 saw the launch of the third round of the RAIN Challenge. Through a rigorous screening process, 19 finalists from both for-profit and not-for-profit models were selected. Global Resilience Partnership supported these initiatives through tailored mentorship in translating concepts into initial action on the ground. Ten projects received funding for a six-month implementation period that started in July 2025. The Munich Re Foundation supported four non‑profit organisations with financial grants, working in Kenya and Tanzania.

Global Capacity Building Center - Women‑led aquaculture for livelihoods and food security

Kenya
Working closely with communities in Kenya, the Global Capacity Building Center strengthens aquaculture‑based livelihoods with a focus on women’s participation and leadership. The initiative combines hands-on fish‑farming training with financial literacy, business development, and group leadership skills, contributing to income generation and local food security.

A group of people seated in a room, attending a meeting with a speaker and a table at the front. — Community meeting on agriculture and resilience

FSPN Africa - Regenerative agriculture and organisational learning

Tanzania
Implemented in Tanzania, the CAFAESUP initiative, led by FSPN Africa, supports farmers in adopting regenerative agricultural practices while exploring approaches to carbon farming. Training in techniques such as cover cropping, compost application, and reduced tillage is complemented by data‑driven decision‑making tools, supporting environmental sustainability and income stability for farmers.

Equal Right - Community‑driven approaches to resilience and conservation finance

Kenya
In Laikipia County, Kenya, Equal Right pilots an innovative model in partnership with the Il Ngwesi Conservancy that links unconditional cash transfers with community‑led ecosystem restoration. Through the set-up of a Climate Commons Fund, communities receive payments to support regenerative agriculture and rangeland management. The initiative emphasises local governance and dialogue, enabling communities to engage actively wit climate and conservation finance mechanisms.

A group of people seated in a room, with one person standing and speaking to the audience. — Matu Mureithi of Equal Right introducing the Climate Commons Fund to option leaders of II Ngwesi

Sokoine University of Agriculture- Strengthening ecosystem based pest management

Tanzania
Implemented in Tanzania’s Mbeya region, the LOPE‑CARE initiative promotes a nature‑positive approach to rodent control by strengthening the ecological role of owls in agricultural systems. Through participatory training and awareness-raising, farmers and extension officers learn about non-chemical pest management options. The initiative also supports habitat restoration through artificial nest boxes and perches.

Three Years of RAIN – Surfacing and supporting nature-positive agricultural innovation

At the end of 2025, projects from RAIN 1, RAIN 2, and RAIN 3 came together for a joint workshop. The event provided space for reflection, exchange, and cross‑cohort learning, and marked the conclusion of the first three years of the RAIN Challenge.

Over this period, 54 finalists were selected through a competitive process, and received structured mentorship, leadership training and communications support. 30 projects were awarded grants for implementation in the range of US$ 7,500 to 20,000 per grantee, including both non-profit initiatives and entrepreneurs. These grants filled a gap for idea stage funding and proved valuable in surfacing and supporting locally-led solutions. RAIN grantees operated across Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and Uganda, with their projects supporting approximately 90,000 people and training more than 20,000 individuals. In addition, over 18,000 hectares have been placed under agricultural innovation.

Beyond these figures, the RAIN Challenge has contributed to advancing sustainable and resilient agricultural transformation by combining early‑stage support with learning, exchange, and long‑term capacity building. Building on this strong foundation, we look forward to continuing the RAIN Challenge and supporting further progress in the years to come.