Case study

Turning farmers into Climate Heroes: how Solidaridad empowered them through gamified learning

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of the farmers felt motivated to adopt agroforestry after playing

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of the farmers improved their understanding of agroforestry benefits after playing

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of the farmers embraced community collaboration for lasting change

The project at a glance

What if planting a single tree could transform a farmer’s future?

Agroforestry is a sustainable farming method that combines trees with crops like cocoa or coffee. The trees protect soil, provide shade, and improve yields, while helping farmers increase income and build climate resilience.

Yet, adoption of agroforestry remains low amongst small-scale farmers —many struggle to see its long-term benefits and lack the motivation to commit. Solidaridad partnered with us to change this by creating an engaging, gamified learning experience that makes agroforestry tangible, engaging, and rewarding.

Through a collaborative, research-driven process, we co-created the Climate Heroes game, using game-based learning and social motivation to empower farmers to embrace agroforestry and drive sustainable change.

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Our process: from challenge to solution

Understanding the core challenge

Agroforestry integrates tree planting with crops like cocoa and coffee, offering farmers higher incomes and while heklping them to protect nature. However, despite its benefits, agroforestry adoption remains low, because of key challenges.

  • Delayed financial returns – It takes 2-3 years before farmers see significant benefits.
  • Ongoing risks – Drought, pests, and competing incentives often weaken motivation.
  • Lack of community ownership – Without shared commitment, adoption remains low.

Without sustained effort, farmers miss the chance to increase their income by 10-50% and strengthen their resilience against climate change.

Solidaridad sought a solution that would not only educate and engage farmers but also motivate them to stay committed over the long term. 

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Finding the right solution through a collaborative, research-driven approach

To help small-scale farmers become Climate Heroes, they need to change the way they think and act. Behavior will only change if farmers are willing, able and motivated to change.

To achieve this, we needed to better understand the behavioral drivers and challenges unique to communities of farmers. That’s why we first conducted in-depth research together with Solidaridad.

Immersing ourselves in a Ugandan farming community, we identified the following key insights:

  • Key barriers: Farmers struggled to connect the abstract concept of agroforestry to tangible benefits and lacked a sense of ownership. Social status and relationships within the community also played a significant role in decision-making.
  • Behavioral drivers: Farmers were motivated by peer collaboration, practical demonstrations, and community recognition, which became the foundation for the solution.

These insights shaped the foundation of a gamified learning solution designed to turn motivation into action.

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The result: a gamified learning experience to drive agroforestry adoption in Uganda

We developed a two-part motivational program designed to educate, engage, and sustain participation:

🎲 The Climate Heroes Game – A fast-forward experience of agroforestry’s benefits. Farmers plant “Money Trees” on the game board, rolling dice to simulate years of tree growth in just 30 minutes. They see how yields improve, risks decrease, and income grows over time. The team with the most coins wins the Money Tree Trophy, reinforcing motivation.

🤝 The Money Tree Savings League (MTS League) – A community-driven support system integrated into existing farmer networks. Farmers set goals, track progress on a shared Garden Board, and engage in friendly competition, creating accountability, collaboration, and long-term commitment to agroforestry.

Key features of the two-part program:

  • Hands-on learning – Farmers experience agroforestry’s impact in a 30-minute simulation.
  • Motivation through team collbaroation & competition – Teams work together and compete for the Money Tree Trophy, reinforcing engagement.
  • Embedded in community structures – The MTS League integrates into farming cooperatives and local groups.
  • Encourages long-lerm commitment – Farmers track real progress and support each other over time.
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The impact

Empowering farmers, transforming futures

This project proves that a well-designed, gamified learning experience can drive sustainable behavior change, making climate action both rewarding and practical. Some of the key results:

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88% Increase in tree planting commitment

After playing the Climate Heroes game, 88% of farmers felt motivated to adopt agroforestry practices, compared to just 49% before.

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98% Boost in community engagement

The MTS League fostered long-term collaboration, with 98% of farmers excited to participate, up from just 27%—driven by the mix of competition and cooperation.

 

agroforestry

96% Improved understanding of agroforestry

96% of farmers now understand the benefits of agroforestry, compared to 68% before, and continue to apply their learning months after participating.

“Agroforestry seemed too complex for me, but this game made it clear how it could benefit my farm and my family. It actually inspired me to start planting trees.”

— Ugandan Farmer & Climate Hero

Where we are now

Expanding our reach

While early results are promising of the Climate Heroes Game, this is just the beginning.

Each region has unique challenges and motivations, so rather than a one-size-fits-all approach, So adapting the games through co-creation workshops with farmers. Already, insights from Uganda are shaping localized versions in Nicaragua and Colombia, with more refinements to come.

To measure long-term impact, Maastricht University is launching a study to track progress and guide future improvements. As the program grows, we aim to refine and expand this approach, helping farmers build climate resilience worldwide.

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Services we provided:

  • Behavioral research - understanding small scale farmer motivation and challenges
  • Gamified learning design - developing an interactive board game and accompanying motivation systems
  • Community integration strategy - Embedding sustainable learning within existing farmer networks

Inspired by the Climate Heroes Game? Let’s explore how gamified learning can drive real change for your initiatives.

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