The Ngao Model Forest community established a credit system where individuals earn credits for their contributions, such as labor or providing equipment, fostering cooperation and mutual support. This innovative system ensures equitable sharing of resources and efforts. The community transitioned to bamboo plantations, which offer new income streams and economic stability due to bamboo's fast growth and versatility. Bamboo forests also support the growth of mushrooms, insects, and worms, providing additional food sources and income opportunities. The presence of wildlife, such as snakes, rabbits, birds, squirrels, tree shrews, wild chickens, and wild boars, further contributes to the local economy. Strong community relationships and collaborative efforts have been key to the success of these initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and addressing the needs of the community.

The Ngao Model Forest community established a credit system where individuals earn credits for their contributions, such as labor or providing equipment, fostering cooperation and mutual support. This innovative system ensures equitable sharing of resources and efforts. The community transitioned to bamboo plantations, which offer new income streams and economic stability due to bamboo's fast growth and versatility. Bamboo forests also support the growth of mushrooms, insects, and worms, providing additional food sources and income opportunities. The presence of wildlife, such as snakes, rabbits, birds, squirrels, tree shrews, wild chickens, and wild boars, further contributes to the local economy. Strong community relationships and collaborative efforts have been key to the success of these initiatives, promoting sustainable practices and addressing the needs of the community.

To strengthen mangrove protection and community-based monitoring, twelve community scouts were selected and trained from within the Mtakimau Community Forest Association (CFA). Equipped with uniforms, patrol skills, communication tools, and basic enforcement knowledge, the scouts actively support restoration, surveillance, and awareness-raising across the 2,550-hectare mangrove area. Scouts conduct regular patrols, detect illegal activities, sensitize local communities about forest conservation, and collaborate with Kenya Forest Service (KFS) officials for enforcement actions. Their work enhances ground-level presence and helps bridge the gap between formal forest authorities and the community.

MTAKIMAU CFA members, supported by WWF-Kenya and the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), took the lead in restoring degraded areas across the 2,550-hectare Mtwapa-Takaungu-Kilifi mangrove landscape. They established a model mangrove nursery in Nzombere Village and received hands-on training in propagating indigenous species, nursery management, and enrichment planting. Using insights from PFMP mapping, they prioritized degraded patches for restoration. In June 2024, the community planted 21,786 seedlings—WWF-Kenya purchased 13,786 while the CFA contributed 8,000. The nursery, now producing over 10,000 seedlings, serves as both a restoration hub and a sustainable income source through seedling sales to restoration partners. Ongoing monthly monitoring ensures nursery health and supports long-term forest regeneration.

The Mtakimau Community Forest Association (CFA) was revitalized through restructuring and targeted governance capacity building. Transitioning from loosely organized village-based groups to formal individual membership improved accountability, transparency, and inclusive participation. Sixty grassroots leaders were trained on leadership, resource mobilization, conflict management, and forest legislation. Democratic elections established both a management and executive committee. Additionally, sessions on Environmental and Social Safeguards and grievance mechanisms were delivered, enhancing the CFA’s capacity to manage mangrove resources sustainably. This transformation fostered local ownership and positioned the CFA as a credible, community-led institution supporting long-term mangrove restoration and conservation in Kilifi County.

The project has identified some key forest-friendly activities, specifically, beekeeping and agroforestry, which are acceptable to the communities. This provides an avenue for replication in other communities and up-scaling throughout the landscape to provide substantial and sustainable livelihood for communities, while ensuring that the forest is preserved.

As part of strengthening park management capacity, SCERA also provided equipment and materials including field gear (jungle boots, life jackets, raincoats, torch lights and water bottles), fuel and food rations to support forest patrols in 2024. The Conservator of Parks, Okomu National Park, Lawrence Osaze, expressed deep appreciation for SCERA’s support, noting that the equipment would significantly enhance their capacity to manage the park effectively.

Capacity building for rangers on SMART and GFW, with human rights consideration, the development of a law enforcement strategy focused on crime prevention, the update of the ranger codes of ethics and standard operating procedures for Okomu National Park, and support  with equipment, fuel and rations to deploy the technology in the field all culminate in achieving significant improvement in the capacity of the park in preventive law enforcement, anti-poaching activities and combating illegal logging. Data collection and analysis has been made easier and more efficient, making planning, deployment of resources and response to threats more effective

14 carpenters from six communities (Udo community, Iguowan community, Ofunama Community, Okomu Ijaw community and Iguoriakhi community, which is not a SZC) were trained on beehive construction, 31 community people from 6 communities (Udo community, Ugolo community, Iguowan community, Ofunama Community, Inikorogha Community and Okomu Ijaw community), 1 person from Iguoriakhi community were involved in the beekeeping training and benefited from the disbursement of beekeeping equipment. 11 communities (Udo community, Ugolo community, Iguowan community, Iguafole community, Maroghinoba community, Ikoka community, Ugbo Community, Ofunama Community, Inikorogha Community, Ajakurama community and Okomu Ijaw community) were also trained in agroforestry and Plant Propagation and Nursery Management, and benefited from the disbursement of nursery maintenance equipments and tree seedlings.

Park-adjacent communities, local, state and federal government and non-government stakeholders are actively working together in the revision and implementation of a collaborative management plan for the Okomu National Park (ONP).

With financial support from the BIOPAMA AC Medium Grant and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), SCERA has supported the conservation efforts of Okomu National Park for almost two years. In January 2024, SCERA commenced activities during the first OBSP meeting in 2024 to support the Okomu National Park in the development of a participatory management plan. Subsequently, a workshop brought together local stakeholders to provide their inputs and agree on a roadmap for the development of the management plan. 

Successfully establishing and scaling a social enterprise like a pad factory requires careful coordination with government authorities and strict compliance with legal requirements. This building block focuses on creating a strong foundation by building trust, ensuring legality, and protecting the enterprise from future risks.

The first step involves informing local and national government bodies about your project plans and activities. Regular communication not only builds transparency and trust but also makes it easier to gain support when needed. It ensures that the enterprise is seen as a responsible and contributing part of the community's development.

Secondly, it is crucial to coordinate with local or provincial offices to confirm that the factory is located appropriately and meets all zoning, operational, and environmental requirements. Early consultation helps avoid future legal complications and promotes smoother project implementation.

Before any physical construction begins, the enterprise must complete all legal steps, such as securing land use permits, building approvals, and environmental clearances. This process prevents future disputes and ensures that the factory is legally protected at every stage.

If the enterprise plans to import machinery or raw materials from abroad (for example, from India and Chaina), it is essential to follow all import rules, including documentation and tax payments. Compliance with import regulations helps avoid customs delays, penalties, and additional operational costs.

Further, to operate legally in the market, the enterprise must register officially and gain approval to sell its products, such as sanitary pads. Official registration enhances the company’s credibility among customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, opening doors to wider distribution opportunities.

Finally, it is critical to insure the factory, machinery, and assets against potential risks like fire, natural disasters, burglary, or other damages. Having appropriate insurance coverage provides financial protection and ensures business continuity even during unforeseen events.

By following these structured steps, the enterprise not only secures its legal standing but also strengthens its reputation, improves sustainability, and creates a solid platform for growth and social impact.

FLR is a long-term investment and local communities desire short term benefits to support their households and change behaviour. The support from National Bank enabled communities to get jobs for the completion of silvicultural tasks.