The month in pictures: June

A farmer celebrates his bountiful harvest in the barley fields of Homs. He is one of 1,015 farmers who accessed sustainable seed banks, established by AKF, to withstand environmental changes and rising production costs. Over the past few months, 152,250kg of climate-resilient barley seeds have been planted by communities in the Homs region, securing a reliable source of fodder for livestock and enhancing food security for rural households.

This initiative is part of AKF’s efforts to shift from short-term humanitarian support to longer-term resilience building across Syria, against the backdrop of climate change and economic instability.

In the shade of mangrove forests, beekeepers carefully inspect their hives as they harvest honey for the first time. Introduced as an alternative livelihood, beekeeping is offering new economic opportunities for coastal communities traditionally dependent on fishing.

Practised in biodiverse mangrove ecosystems, beekeeping also creates a strong incentive to protect and preserve these vital coastal environments – linking income generation with conservation.

In partnership with Blue Ventures, supported by the Blue Action Fund.

Wife and husband Tabitha and Mosese share a moment of laughter on their farm in rural Kwale County. Tabitha manages the land and has adopted regenerative farming techniques to improve soil health, reduce costs and limit chemical use – making their farm more productive and profitable.

Regenerative farming is one aspect of AKF’s ReGeneration initiative which aims to restore mangrove ecosystems, create livelihood opportunities and build climate resilience across six countries around the Indian Ocean over the next ten years.

Students take to the stage during disaster preparedness workshops, using theatre to bring emergency scenarios to life. Through performance, they explore how communities can respond to risks and act in times of crisis.

These school-based initiatives form part of an AKF initiative spanning border areas of the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan, with the goal of building practical skills while strengthening resilience and social cohesion.

Supported by the European Union.

Vezo fishermen return to shore along Madagascar’s western coastline, their sails catching the wind. For this semi-nomadic community, the ocean is central to both livelihood and identity. Yet in the remote Melaky region, declining fish stocks – driven by overfishing and climate change – are making life increasingly uncertain.

Here, AKF is working in partnership with Blue Ventures to support small-scale fishing communities to respond to this challenge, developing alternative livelihoods and building climate resilience.

Supported by the Blue Action Fund.

Children perform songs and activities for their families during an event marking the International Day of Families at their early childhood development centre. The gathering brings together parents, caregivers and the wider community, highlighting the importance of both mothers and fathers in early childhood development.

This work forms part of AKF’s efforts to (re)engage conflict-affected children and young people – especially girls, IDPs, and children and young people with disabilities – in safe and quality learning through non-formal, community-based settings.

In partnership with Bokra Ahla Association and supported by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.

Students from Kiembesamaki Secondary School gather their harvest of cabbage, amaranth and maize from a thriving school garden. Since April, they have worked alongside an AKF Green Champion to prepare the land, grow seedlings and cultivate crops using regenerative techniques. Along the way, they have learned to make organic inputs from locally available materials.

Part of the Maendeleo Plus project, the garden connects agriculture, nutrition and climate resilience through hands-on learning. At the end of the June harvest, each student took home a share of the produce, extending these benefits beyond the school into their communities.

Supported by the Lady Fatemah Trust.

At the Festival Palavras que Contam (‘Words that Matter Festival’), young authors share their stories with a live audience. Developed by AKF, this initiative has supported young people from Sintra’s diverse communities to explore identity and self-expression through creative writing.

Presenting their printed works for the first time, participants offered stories shaped by different languages, lived experiences and perspectives – marking an important moment of confidence and recognition.

During Part 3 of Schools2030’s Virtual Forum, teachers from Kenya reflect on their role in shaping the next generation of climate-conscious learners. Sharing their experiences of co-designing a Green and Gender Teacher Professional Development Course, they highlight the realities and opportunities within their classrooms.

Following Parts 1 and 2 in March and May, Part 3 of the online webinar series focused on how the sector can better support teachers to meet the demands their students and support a new generation of climate leaders. The session was framed by a 4-part mini documentary series, which takes viewers on a global journey to discover how teachers are leading climate action in their schools.

Watch the session recordings for the Virtual Forums here.

Schools2030 is AKF’s flagship education initiative, catalysing teacher-led learning innovations to achieve SDG4 by 2030.

Farmer Olimova Mohsharif stands proudly with her greenhouse harvest, grown together with a group of seven women. Producing cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes for both household use and sale, the group has transformed a shared space into a reliable source of food and income.

Once primarily managing their homes, the women are now experienced farmers, experimenting with improved greenhouse techniques and inspiring younger community members to take part.

In partnership with the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan and supported by the Global Environment Facility and UNDP.