Vision: A world where partnerships catalyse innovation and enrich lives.

Mission: Working to improve the health and prosperity of marginalised communities and their environments.

Summary:

The Kyeema Foundation (Kyeema) works to improve the health and prosperity of marginalised communities and their environments. We work in partnership with purpose-led organisations to catalyse innovations and enrich lives. We support and work with local partners to address locally identified problems. We are champions of innovative, inclusive technological approaches that lead to transformative and sustainable change in communities. We promote and scale opportunities for improved health and prosperity in three key portfolio areas: 1) Nutrition, Health and Livelihoods 2) Resilient Communities; and 3) Innovation. Our work is informed by a 'One Health and One Welfare' approach - a collaborative framework that recognises the interdependence of humans, animals and the environment.

Kyeema was established in 2003 by a group of Australian veterinary and agricultural scientists working to alleviate poverty in low- and middle-income countries by improving the health of village chickens. For many resource-poor rural households - especially those run by women - village chickens are an asset, enabling income generation and food and nutrition security as well as access to healthcare and education. A major threat to the health and productivity of these chickens is Newcastle disease. Working alongside the University of Queensland and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), a prominent Kyeema founder developed a thermotolerant Newcastle disease vaccine for village chickens that doesn't rely on stable refrigeration. This means that it can be rolled out in rural areas where power supply is unreliable.

Today Kyeema uses its experience and resources and this same approach to locally driven innovation, to address broader, complex issues facing marginalised communities. We work with strategic partners to decrease the burden of disease, improve resilience to climate change, open up sustainable economic pathways, and strengthen cultural and social resilience. In doing this, we empower communities to flourish over the long term.

Guiding Principles:

Champions for Empowerment

We are courageous and committed development professionals, working with honesty and integrity to achieve results to empower others.

Fostering Purpose-led Partnerships

We support partnerships that are collaborative, inclusive, and promote the health of the environment, including soil, water, plants, animals and humans.

Demand Driven Development

We support local solutions with local partners to address locally identified problems.

Catalysts of Real Change

We back innovative approaches leading to transformative and sustainable change in people’s lives.