INSPIRE Uganda
Empowering Rural Uganda for a Resilient Future
Launched in November 2024, the INSPIRE (Integrated and Sustainable Production for Inclusive and Resilient Economies) project is a five-year initiative (2024–2029) led by GOAL Uganda. Its mission is to support rural communities in developing more sustainable, resilient, and productive land use systems by improving access to agricultural inputs, knowledge and skills, financial services, and markets.
INSPIRE is funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands (EKN) and implemented by a consortium led by GOAL, in partnership with Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR), Resilience BV, and Agriterra. Local implementation is supported by VEDCO, Africa 2000 Network (A2N), and Facilitation for Innovations and Sustainable Productivity (FINASP).
Why INSPIRE?
Uganda’s smallholder farmers face significant challenges—including climate change, environmental degradation, outdated farming practices, and limited access to resources and markets. INSPIRE directly addresses these issues by promoting climate-smart agriculture, market inclusivity, and community resilience.
Pathways to Impact
Community Resilience & Agency
Empowering local leadership and inclusive participation in community planning and development.
Sustainable Farming Systems
Promoting nutrient-smart agriculture, agroecological practices, and appropriate technologies.
Inclusive Market Development
Strengthening value chains and creating better access to reliable, fair markets.
Institutional Strengthening
Building the capacity of farmer groups, cooperatives, VSLAs, SACCOs, and local institutions to sustain impact beyond the project lifecycle.
Where We Work
INSPIRE is currently being rolled out in 54 sub-counties across nine districts in the Lango and Busoga sub-regions:
- Lango Region: Amolatar, Alebtong, Lira, Dokolo
- Busoga Region: Jinja, Kamuli, Buyende, Kaliro, Luuka
This initiative builds on existing EKN-funded programmes, aligning efforts to create lasting impact across Uganda’s agricultural communities.
The story so far
Since its launch, INSPIRE has already engaged 108 communities across Lango and Busoga. Early work has focused on training partners and staff in the Participatory Integrated Planning (PIP) approach, which acts as the gateway for community engagement.
Highlights include:
- Orientation and training on safeguarding, communication, and project implementation
- Community-led planning for resilient livelihoods at household and plot levels
- Joint activities like tree planting, road maintenance, and sustainable farming training through Farmers Learning Groups
- Promoting local leadership and social cohesion through inclusive participation
Looking Ahead
INSPIRE is building farmer capacity, connecting them to agri-markets, and enabling better decision-making through access to information, networks, and skills. The project is also working with agribusinesses and cooperatives to improve input supply chains and market access for smallholders. To enhance financial access, INSPIRE supports the creation of digitized, dedicated Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) - ensuring smallholder farmers can access affordable input loans.
A Scalable Model for Resilience
INSPIRE leverages proven models and integrates learning across programs to amplify impact and scale success. It aligns with GOAL’s broader mission in Uganda to champion locally led, system-strengthening approaches that endure beyond any single project.
GOAL Uganda
GOAL has worked in Uganda since 1979, advancing community resilience and locally led development. INSPIRE is a natural extension of this legacy - fostering empowerment, sustainability, and inclusive economic growth across Uganda's rural communities.
“We believe in solutions led by communities themselves - because real change starts from the ground up.”
