Ford Foundation

The Ford Foundation has been active in East Africa for over sixty years, working in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. Its agricultural programs help smallholder farmers improve their incomes, access markets, and secure land rights.

The foundation partners with organizations such as Participatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Kenya and the East and Southern Africa Small Scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF). Together, they implement projects that reduce post-harvest losses, promote climate-smart practices, and strengthen farm resilience. Women farmers also benefit from targeted initiatives that provide access to resources, finance, and livestock insurance.

In addition to agriculture, the foundation supports civic engagement and governance. Its Nairobi office, established in 1963, contributed to building civil service capacity and helped found the University of Nairobi. The foundation also provided grants to universities in Uganda, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia. From 2001 to 2013, the International Fellows Program enabled over 380 East Africans to pursue graduate studies and develop leadership skills. These efforts fostered a network of trained leaders across the region.

The Ford Foundation also focuses on climate justice and Indigenous land rights. It supports communities in managing forests, participating in renewable energy transitions, and accessing fair benefits from natural resources. By strengthening social movements, local organizations, and alliances, the foundation promotes inclusive development. These programs ensure that historically marginalized groups, including Indigenous peoples and rural communities, can influence decisions that affect their land, livelihoods, and environment.

Through these combined efforts, the Ford Foundation continues to advance sustainable agriculture, empower women farmers, and build resilient communities while addressing social, environmental, and governance challenges in East Africa.