Community innovation lab · DR Congo

Map the problems. Co-create the solutions.

We bring communities and scientists together to turn local challenges into lasting innovations.

Become an explorer Become a partner

Supported by IREX · Youth Excel

Programmes

Our programmes

Three flagship programmes, born in the field, connecting knowledge, nature and peace.

Knowledge · South Kivu
Lwiro-Biblos
Promoting and modernising the library of the Lwiro Natural Sciences Research Centre (CRSN-Lwiro).
Discover →
Peace · Kivu
Youth Peace Space
Art as a path to peace: a space where young people heal and build peace together.
Discover →
Nature · Climate
Connect People to Nature
Agroecology and climate advocacy: reconnecting communities with the nature they live from.
Discover →

About

Who we are

UJUZI-SS (Ujuzi Sustainable Services) maps the problems facing Congolese communities and co-creates practical solutions with them, starting from the ground up.

Vision

A driver of transformation

Communities that work with scientists to create their own solutions.

Mission

From problems to innovations

We turn problems into clear needs, then mobilise the community to design, implement and monitor solutions.

Goal

A catalyst for change

Make every community problem an opportunity to innovate.

Our approach

From the field to the lab, in four steps

Collect
Explorers gather data in the field.
Analyse
The lab groups the data by theme and sets priorities.
Research
Explorers carry out research, backed by our experts.
Innovate
Local actors design, implement and monitor the solutions.

Our explorers:

Scientists
Students
Community leaders
Traditional authorities

Values and impact

What guides us

Inclusive innovation
Every voice in the community counts.
Commitment
Turning problems into opportunities.
Research and education
Sharing knowledge between the field and experts.
Practical solutions
Research findings put into practice.
Self-financing
Membership fees, grants, services and donations.
Partnerships
Universities, research bodies, NGOs and development agencies.

Our impact

Stronger local capacity
Communities able to tackle their own problems
Sustainable development in the DR Congo

Our work

In the field

Every project starts by listening to communities.

UJUZI-SS team working session on the mapping results

Kinshasa · Mont-Ngafula · supported by IREX (Youth Excel)

Mapping the needs of young people in Lutendele

Few programmes reach Lutendele. We heard from young people in six neighbourhoods through a survey, interviews and focus groups, and visited the area's vocational training centres.

40%of young people choose computer skills
100 $+cost of most courses, excluding transport
4/4centres visited lack equipment

Cost and distance, not motivation, keep these young people from learning a trade. We use this data to advocate for training they can afford.

Read the story on our blog (in French)

Other projects since 2019

Kinshasa · South KivuUN Security Council Resolution 2250Awareness campaign on the Youth, Peace and Security agenda.With Million Peacemakers
South Kivu · KabareYoung Business GroupSupport for young farmers.With Mercy Corps
South KivuMti-Wa-AkibaReforestation of villages bordering Kahuzi-Biega National Park.With UNICEF, through U-Report
South KivuYouth needs mappingParticipatory assessment of the needs of young people in marginalised areas.With One Forest Youth Initiative, IREX and SFCG

Our team

A growing team

UJUZI-SS brings together young professionals, researchers and committed volunteers in Kinshasa and South Kivu. Every project helps us grow: new supporters join us to map, research and co-create with communities.

The coordination team
Designs projects, supports our explorers and keeps in touch with partners.
Our explorers
Scientists, students, community leaders and traditional authorities who collect data and carry out research in the field.
Our supporters
They back our work with their time, skills or networks. The door is always open.

Yannick Mutambo R.

Executive director and partnerships

Lab and Research

Anthony Lukanga

Research, monitoring and evaluation

Ghyslain Kabwika Kabego

Explorer network coordinator

Programmes and Partnerships

Rodrigue Iragi

Programme officer

Administration and Finance

Esther Ruchocha

Administration and finance officer

Communications and Digital

Sharon Kabala

Communications officer

Join us

Student, researcher, professional or simply committed to your community? Become an UJUZI-SS supporter and grow with us.

Through our work, one of our volunteers was selected for the University of Georgia's Africa Civic Engagement Academy.

Become a supporter

Supported by

IREX, through the Youth Excel project

Youth Excel helps youth organisations use research to drive action. Its Research-to-Change approach matches ours: collect, learn, act.

Learn more

We work with

Million Peacemakers and the Nonflict® approach

To promote peaceful coexistence, we draw on Million Peacemakers' Nonflict® approach. It shapes how we handle conflict across all our work and in training our Peacemakers.

Discover Million Peacemakers