Socioeconomic Transformation Dynamics of Agricultural Farms in the Transition to Alternative Proteins (SoeTRA)
SoeTRA is a joint project of KLB Deutschland, VISTRA Vechta, and Fliedner University of Applied Sciences Düsseldorf, supported and accompanied by Climatekos as a practice-oriented expert organization. The central focus is the question of how agricultural farms can successfully manage transformation processes in the context of a potential (partial) transition to alternative protein sources.
SoeTRA supports and strengthens agricultural farms in their considerations regarding changes in production. The following questions are at the core:
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What conditions support farmers in opening up to new production pathways?
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Which framework conditions have a facilitating or inhibiting effect?
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Which social, economic, and operational dynamics influence transformation processes?
The aim is to raise awareness and stimulate decision-making processes, to support farms in their self-determined and evidence-based development, and to systematically analyze both facilitating and inhibiting factors. The results feed into interdisciplinary research on transformation dynamics and form the basis for practice-oriented recommendations for policymakers, associations, and other actors along the value chain.
SoeTRA takes a holistic view of agricultural farms, placing often overlooked socioeconomic factors at the center. In addition to economic aspects, family structures, farm succession, regional networks, and relationship structures are taken into account.
The project approach includes:
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the analysis of farm-level decision-making processes and critical moments of change,
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the identification of structural barriers and the development of targeted support strategies,
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the consideration of the entire value chain of alternative proteins, and
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practice-oriented support and exchange formats with agricultural farms.
SoeTRA is funded under the program “Proteins of the Future – Opportunity Program for Farms” by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity (BMLEH). The program is aimed at farmers who are engaging with innovative, protein- and climate-friendly production methods or who wish to explore a (partial) transition.
Climatekos accompanies the project as a practice-oriented expert organization with a focus on knowledge and competence transfer in the context of transformation processes in agriculture and rural areas. The role of Climatekos includes:
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the clear and understandable preparation and presentation of scientific findings for practitioners and non-scientific audiences,
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the moderation and design of dialogue and participation formats,
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support in the development of practice-oriented recommendations for action.
In this way, Climatekos contributes to constructively linking scientific knowledge, agricultural practice, and political framework conditions.
Further information can be found at: www.soetra.de
Gefördert durch das Bundesministerium für Landwirtschaft, Ernährung und Heimat aufgrund eines Beschlusses des Deutschen Bundestages im Rahmen des Chancenprogramm Höfe.
Deforestation-free Coffee Supply Chain in Uganda
The project “Deforestation-free Coffee Supply Chain in Uganda” supports the development of deforestation-free and low-carbon coffee supply chains in Uganda over the course of three years (October 2024 – October 2027). It is part of the Green East Africa (GEA) Programme, implemented by the same consortium, complementing regional efforts to promote climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land use. It promotes agroforestry (shade-grown coffee), carbon farming, and climate-smart agricultural practices, linking these with innovative finance instruments such as revolving funds, savings and lending groups, green credit, results-based and carbon finance.
Local smallholder cooperatives will aggregate and market coffee collectively, selling directly to small roasters in Germany under recognized sustainability standards (e.g., Fairtrade). Using Global Forest Watch, geomapping, and ground-truthing, the project will develop a traceability and monitoring system to meet EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) requirements. It will be integrated into an IT-based system, developed jointly with local implementing organizations and supported by Climatekos. Farmers will participate in a community-based monitoring process to track deforestation avoidance, ecosystem protection, and GHG mitigation, using visual tools such as customized maps for regular information sharing. Thus, the project strengthens local capacities and institutional structures for EUDR compliance and promotes zero-deforestation commitments among participating farmers.
Objective and approach:
The objective is to enable local partners and subcontractors to establish an initial information system to track, measure, monitor, and report deforestation-free and low-carbon coffee production at farm level.
The approach includes:
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Developing an integrated system that combines tracking, monitoring, and reporting tools;
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Setting up a data management process and database;
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Facilitating cross-organizational working groups on GHG reduction and monitoring; and
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Conducting targeted workshops and on-the-job training.
The Project is funded by the International Climate Initiative (IKI).
Green East Africa Programme
Climatekos via its non-profit arm, is part of a group of local and international non-governmental organisations and firms that jointly implement the Green East Africa climate action development programme. The vision of the Green East Africa Programme is a climate smart future - implementing an integrated grassroots climate smart & nature-based development programme in rural communities at scale!
The Green East Africa Programme:
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is already implemented in Western, Central and Eastern Uganda and is currently expanding into Kenya in this next phase, covering about 20 districts - developing and implementing long-term climate resilient, adaptive and low emission strategies and actions with rural communities and their farmers, family businesses and cooperatives;
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continuously integrates improved and new clean technologies and agricultural practices as part of climate-smart agriculture and village concepts and approaches - replicating and scaling up with a view to support and implement national climate action and development strategies and programmes at the local level; and
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combines locally rooted development organizations and village development approaches and methodologies with best-practice climate action strategies and measures and traditional development finance with new climate finance to unleash adaptation and mitigation potentials - upscaling through a programmatic approach.
The programme’s activities consist of the demonstration, replication and scaling up of climate smart technologies and practices, including natural resources management and protection, green technologies, waste management and low impact housing. The available expertise of the programme partners covers village development planning and implementation support, climate action project development & finance expertise, mapping and microfinance, amongst others.
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is currently the main donor of the programme next to further co-finance from private sector players and foundations.
Climatekos’ role in the programme encompasses technical programme development and implementation support, environmental finance expertise & international technical backstopping and QA/QC.
As part of the preceding project to the Green East Africa Programme Climatekos elaborated a tailored guidebook on developing climate-smart villages and agricuture action that can be accessed here (advanced online version).
More information can be found at www.green-east-africa.net
