UFAA’s ‘Wezesha Mjane’ Program: Building Climate Change Resilience and Livelihoods for Widows Through Corporate Social Investments

Abstract

The concerted global call to climate change mitigation, resilience and adaptation mechanisms is finding voices in local actions by grassroots networks in Kenya. Corporate social investments are being directed to support community-driven climate change adaption, livelihood initiatives, and awareness, particularly with the marginalized constituency. Consequently, public and private sector organizations are leveraging partnerships with communities and stakeholders to deploy climate change mitigation and resilience programs that also guarantee their perpetual ‘license to operate.’ This case study examines the ‘Wezesha Mjane’ Corporate Social Responsibility program by Kenya's Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA). The Authority’s CSR program is informed by the principles of investing in community affairs and functions; respecting cultural and social differences; championing activities that respect, promote, and advance principles of public participation; and desire to have a positive impact on people, cultures and communities. The case details projects that work with and benefit widows or widow-led households through Wezesha Mjane. Using a phenomenological approach, the study aims to bring out the underlying meaning and narratives of climate change adaptation and resilience mechanisms of widows’ beneficiaries. The findings will inform strategies of centering community-driven actions to the global climate change resilience actions through corporate social investments.