Inclusive innovation for sustainable change
Our starting point: Our support must produce lasting effects that mean that more aid efforts are not needed.
We Effect sets an example for others to follow. Therein lies a responsibility to constantly develop and invent new methods to respond to climate change, long-term conflicts and global economic turbulence. And we do it together with exciting new players from the Swedish business community and our authorities as well as small local players with unique skills.
"Innovation is not about looking for crazy ideas... it's about constantly challenging ourselves to work smarter and braver. Then we become stronger and more relevant as an organization. That is a prerequisite for our success."
Here you can read more about our innovation work. They range from peacekeeping efforts in Colombia and Swedish business establishments that create housing in Guatemala to organic coffee plantations in Uganda for the European premium market, new methods for independent and climate-smart fertilization and irrigation in Kenya and AI development in collaboration with Läkarmissionen, International Center for Local Democracy (ICLD) and Vinnova.
We put premium coffee on the map
Uganda. In collaboration with Lykke Kaffegårdar and with risk investment from Coop Östra, we have contributed to increased profitability and production of premium coffee in western Uganda. The project has created new jobs, enabled new investments by the small-scale farmers and increased the inclusion of women in coffee production. At the same time, the coffee is competitive on a market basis and is sold on the Swedish market. It contributes to the long-term sustainability of the project.
From waste to income
Kenya. In collaboration with the Postal Code Lottery, we are developing a new method where the unique properties of a caterpillar can solve the growing waste problem. The larva of the American armyworm loves to eat food scraps and when it has eaten large, it is processed into manure and nutritious animal feed. This creates a circular cycle that opens up completely new livelihood opportunities for women and young people in Meru in Kenya where the project is implemented and at the same time leads to improvements in food safety, reduced emissions and lower environmental impact. The result is a completely new piece of the puzzle on the way to a more sustainable world.
Cooperative for Peace
Colombia. The FARC guerrillas and the Colombian state have concluded a peace agreement, but for real peace to emerge and be maintained, a process of justice and reconciliation is required between the soldiers who leave the guerrillas and those affected by their violence. In collaboration with the Swedish Embassy and our cooperative members LRF and Lantmännen, We Effect helps war victims and ex-combatants to unite in joint cooperative companies and organizations. At the same time as they cooperate to build prosperity, they strengthen peace.
Equal care for women's empowerment
Latin America. Since 2014, We Effect has worked to push the gender equality agenda forward in Latin America. We have worked in several key areas to develop cooperatives’ operating models to include childcare, ensure the link between practice and academic knowledge and center what care means from a local perspective. Without losing sight of global rights principles, we work with relationships and norms that enable men’s participation and co-responsibility for childcare and home management.
New AI solution to strengthen Swedish aid
Together with the Medical Mission and the International Center for Local Democracy, we have applied for and been granted SEK 1.6 million for a project financed by Vinnova. The plan is for AI technology to be used to streamline analyzes of results in aid operations. The budget is small, but an advantage is that the grant is for the development of the own organization’s infrastructure, knowledge and working methods. The project period is June 2024 to December 2025. Expected result is increased knowledge and use of AI technology. New working methods are tested and developed with the aim of achieving efficiencies with increased quality at a lower cost.
