632 Gicumbi Residents Graduate with New Financial Skills to Face Climate Challenges

A total of 632 residents from Gicumbi District have graduated from a financial literacy programme aimed at helping rural communities build economic resilience in the face of climate change. The graduation ceremony, held on 25 June 2025 in Northern Rwanda, marked a major milestone for the Green Gicumbi Project, which focuses on empowering vulnerable communities through climate-smart development.

The training, organised through a partnership between the Rwanda Green Fund, BK Foundation, and Friends Effort to Support Youth (FESY), mainly targeted women and youth—groups that often remain excluded from formal financial systems.

“Before the training, I didn’t know how to save or plan for my financial future,” said Sandrine Tuyizere from Cyumba Sector. “Now, I not only save but also run my own business. I hope this project continues to support more people like me.”

The programme taught financial planning, budgeting, entrepreneurship, and saving. As a result, participants formed 17 savings groups, opened 467 new bank accounts, and launched small businesses ranging from pig farming to food processing.

“This project completely changed my approach to money. Now, I not only save but also invest,” said Jean Marie Vianney Ngendabanga, a member of the Twitezimbere Savings Group in Muhamba. “I am grateful to FESY, the BK Foundation, and Green Gicumbi for the opportunity to be part of this programme and encourage others to join.”

Teddy Mugabo, CEO of the Rwanda Green Fund, highlighted how financial empowerment goes hand-in-hand with building climate resilience.

“We must work together to strengthen people’s capacity to make informed financial and investment decisions—not only to accelerate development, but also to ensure the long-term sustainability of climate resilience projects,” she said.

“I call on all partners—including the financial sector, civil society, and philanthropic organizations—to support our communities in accessing both finance and financial literacy.”

The initiative’s impact has been tangible:
• 632 people trained (58% women, 175 youth)
• 17 savings groups formed
• 189 new business ventures started
• 467 new bank accounts opened
• Savings increased from as low as 500 RWF/month to over 6,000 RWF/month

Ingrid Karangwayire, Executive Secretary of BK Foundation, noted the ripple effects of such training:

“At BK Foundation, we believe that access to financial knowledge is a powerful driver of resilience and self-reliance. This programme has proven that when citizens are equipped with the right skills and support, they take initiative. They save, they invest, and they actively contribute to local development.”

For FESY, the success of this initiative is only the beginning.

“We are happy with the results, but we know this is just a start,” said James Kellon Rwabwera, FESY’s Executive Director. “We’ve only reached a small fraction of those who would benefit from financial literacy as a way to build resilience. At the end of the day, when young people and women are empowered, all of us benefit.”

Although the Green Gicumbi Project is now entering its phase-out stage, it has reached over 300,000 people since 2019 through climate-smart agriculture, forest restoration, sustainable settlements, and now, financial literacy. The graduation is a reminder that climate resilience isn’t just about planting trees or conserving soil—it’s also about equipping people with the tools to take control of their financial futures.

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