Matts Weurlander

Counsellor, skills development and job creation, @FinnishEmbNBO. Tweets are my own.

[Finland in Kenya @FinlandinKenya]

Kenya's 🇰🇪 agri-food sector is full of opportunity for young entrepreneurs 👩🏾‍🌾🧑🏾‍🌾 — but finance, technology & skills gaps remain. Last week, Finland 🇫🇮, IFAD & partners launched the Food Systems Analysis Report to help change that. The opportunity is there. Let's unlock it. 🌱🚀🌟

[IFADEastAfrica @IFADEastAfrica]

Officially launched the Food Systems Analysis Report under #GFYE project, funded by @finland The report presents findings from 14 counties in 🇰🇪 providing evidence to support decent & sustainable job opportunities for youth in agri-food value chains through green investments.

[IFADEastAfrica @IFADEastAfrica]

IFAD Kenya Country Director #MariatuKamara during the official launch of the Green Finance for Youth Employment food systems analysis report in collaboration with FSD Kenya and @finland

[Kenya Red Cross @KenyaRedCross]

When 45% of women in a county have experienced gender-based violence, intervention is not optional, it is urgent.

Over the past 4 years in Kilifi, our #EndGBV programme, supported by @FinlandinKenya, has focused on strengthening systems, shifting norms and improving access to support.

Across Bungoma, Kilifi, and Samburu, this programme has delivered measurable impact:

15,000 people reached
10,000+ households engaged
20 health facilities strengthened
100+ health workers trained

Today marks the close of the project, not the end of the work.

[Matts Weurlander @MattsWeur]

In Kilifi today with @KenyaRedCross for the GBV awareness project wrap-up. Under the hot coastal sun, powerful testimonies from government, communities & survivors reminded us why this work matters—and must continue beyond the project. #EndGBV

[Matts Weurlander @MattsWeur]

Inspiring wrap-up of our GBV awareness project in Samburu with @KenyaRedCross! Great to see national & county government, justice & religious leaders commit to sustaining the impact. Male champions & community watch groups are motivated to keep the momentum. Together against GBV!

[Finland in Kenya @FinlandinKenya]

Asante Samburu!
On day 4, we joined members of the Gender Technical Working Group to discuss coordination of gender-based violence prevention and response. We also engaged in community dialogue in Baawa and sat down with @KenyaRedCross to discuss lessons learned from our project.

[Finland in Kenya @FinlandinKenya]

Under a tree in Samburu North!
We met young men boosting economic activity through a village savings and loans group and brave male champions advancing gender-based violence prevention and awareness in their communities. Inspiring action!

[Finland in Kenya @FinlandinKenya]

Samburu Day 2 ✅️
We held an engaging community meeting in Baawa on the provision of legal aid services for gender-based violence cases. Gained valuable insights as we prepare to continue to Baragoi tomorrow!

[Finland in Kenya @FinlandinKenya]

Starting off the week with a monitoring visit to Samburu County! Together with @KenyaRedCross we'll be reviewing progress of our project on prevention of gender-based violence.

[Rural Women Peace Link @RuralWomenPL]

@FinlandinKenya continue their monitoring visit assessing the impact of our work on the #WomenPeaceSecurity agenda

They engaged officials in @ElgeyoMarakwetC & grassroots women in West Pokot, the visit showcased the power of partnerships in advancing women’s leadership.

[Rural Women Peace Link @RuralWomenPL]

Under our #EmpoweringWomenBuildingPeace project, we equipped women leaders from West Pokot County with conflict resolution skills.

Women are often the first to feel conflict impact and the last at the negotiation table.

When women lead, communities heal. #ConflictResolution

[Rural Women Peace Link @RuralWomenPL]

A decade of partnership with @FinlandinKenya
For 10 years, we've advanced the #WPS agenda by:
➡️Raising awareness on #UNSCR1325
➡️Boosting women's role in peace & security
➡️Enhancing accountability
Great discussion with Georginah & Matts on our gains and the path forward.

[Matts Weurlander @MattsWeur]

🌍 Inspiring progress in West Pokot! Women are stepping up as peace leaders — building skills, confidence, and unity to sustain peace and create a better tomorrow - thanks to @RuralWomenPL 💫

[Matts Weurlander @MattsWeur]

This week in Elgeyo-Marakwet and West Pokot, we’re seeing how @RuralWomenPL empowers women to take their place in local peacebuilding. The energy on the ground is inspiring — with both men and women actively involved!

[PS TVET Dr. Esther Muoria @Muoria_Dr]

Today, I joined our partners and stakeholders at the final seminar of the Kenyan Finnish TVET School Partnership, where we celebrated the tremendous progress achieved through our collaboration with Finland and GIZ. This partnership has strengthened trainer capacity, expanded Dual Training and improved curriculum delivery across our TVET institutions.

I expressed my deep appreciation to our development partners for their leadership, consistency and innovation in supporting Kenya’s TVET transformation. The impact is very clear; from increased enrolment in dual training programmes to the upskilling of thousands of trainers and the adoption of modern, industry-aligned teaching methods that are elevating the quality of training nationwide.

I urged our principals and trainers to follow the path that our development partners have shown us. Their example provides a clear roadmap for excellence. Let us embrace these standards and innovations so we can build a globally competitive, industry-responsive TVET ecosystem that empowers every learner.
#finland
#GIZKenya
#TVETKenya

[Riina-Riikka Heikka @HeikkaRR]

Finnish-Kenyan technical and vocational education and training partnerships are thriving. We believe #TVET should be practical and relevant to the labour market needs #DUALTVET Embassy Team visiting TVET Institution @Thika_Technical and business partners. @FinlandinKenya

[Dr Chris Kiptoo, CBS @DrChrisKiptoo]

Finland has committed over KSh 30 billion in grants and development support towards key sectors, including water and sanitation, health, environment, governance, and gender equality. This support has been directed to initiatives such as the programmes under the Water Services Trust Fund and the upgrading of Maternal and Newborn Units, valued at over KSh 3.4 billion.

I received a courtesy call from H.E. Ms. Outi Holopainen, Under Secretary for Foreign and Security Policy of Finland, and H.E. Ms. Riina Heikka, the new Ambassador of Finland to Kenya, at the National Treasury.

I also welcomed Ambassador Heikka as she assumes her new role and assured her of our support in further strengthening the longstanding partnership between Kenya and Finland.

Our discussions focused on consolidating ongoing programmes under the Public Investment Facility (PIF) framework, a concessional credit financing arrangement established in 2018 to enhance project sustainability, and exploring new opportunities for collaboration in health, water, climate resilience, and gender empowerment.

[Matts Weurlander @MattsWeur]

Excellent visit today to Karen Technical Training Institute for the Deaf! Over 120 students now enrolled in #dualtvet courses, with great feedback from companies. Inspiring proof that dual training can open doors for students with disabilities. 👏

[Matts Weurlander @MattsWeur]

Early mornings are the best mornings! Today we are heading to Kirinyaga and Nyeri to see early progress on the new Green Financing for Youth Employment project—an exciting youth-focused initiative with @IFAD and other partners. More updates soon, watch this space!