Awarded in 2025
Based in Umoyo Undhokolo Ther Awili Village, Djukoth Chiefdom, Mahagi Territory, Ituri Province, Democratic Republic of Congo
Urera Nyakara Generose was recognised as a 2025 Kilimo Environmental Prize laureate for her long standing leadership, her courage in confronting inequality and environmental degradation, and her commitment to building inclusive, community led solutions to the climate crisis. Her work offers a powerful example of how women’s leadership strengthens resilience, restores ecosystems and secures a more just and sustainable future for rural communities.
Woman climate activist and community leader, Urera's work spans more than 40 years of continuous engagement in environmental protection, food security and social justice in Djukoth Chiefdom. She has been at the frontline of community responses to the climate crisis, working to protect water sources, defend farmland from pollution and promote equitable access to land and natural resources in a context where land ownership and decision making are traditionally dominated by men.
Her leadership is rooted in lived experience and resilience. Following the death of her husband 5 years ago, she chose to continue and strengthen the vision they built together, centred on agroforestry and diversified livelihoods. This commitment is particularly significant in a region where most households rely almost exclusively on coffee cultivation, a system that increases vulnerability to climate shocks, soil exhaustion and price instability. Through agroforestry, she promotes a more resilient and sustainable land use model that restores soil fertility, protects water and supports food security.
Her work places women at the centre of climate solutions. She actively challenges gender inequality by advocating for fair sharing of land resources among women, girls and men, and by supporting women to gain practical skills and confidence to manage land, trees and income generating activities. Her initiatives promote environmentally friendly ventures for household consumption and women’s economic empowerment. These include tree nurseries, poultry rearing, beekeeping, snail farming, fish farming, production of organic fertilisers, vegetable gardens, use of non timber forest products, organic soaps and handicrafts derived from forest resources.
A core pillar of her work is improving access to drinkable water. By protecting water sources and promoting community management, she reduces the daily burden placed on women and girls who traditionally spend long hours collecting water. This shift frees time for education, income generation and meaningful participation in community decision making processes, including discussions on climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.
Urera is also a mobiliser and educator. She leads by example and encourages community members and local actors to participate in conservation and climate action. Her outreach strategies include community dialogues, information sharing, training sessions and sensitisation campaigns that raise awareness about environmental protection, sustainable farming and women’s rights. Through these approaches, she builds collective ownership of solutions and strengthens local capacity to respond to environmental challenges.
The impact of her work is visible across her community. Degraded land has been restored, water sources are better protected and households have diversified sources of food and income. Women who were previously excluded from decision making now play active roles in managing resources and shaping local priorities. Her approach demonstrates how climate action, gender justice and livelihood security are deeply interconnected.
