The methodology of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) was applied to assess the risks and threats posed by climate impacts like wave action, sea level rise, erosion, and precipitation, informing the actions taken. The application was carried out in combination with a regional training that took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, together with other site managers and heritage practitioners from Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda. The training and application was supported by the James Cook University, Australia. 

Phase 3: The hydroponic fodder production facility was launched, supplying high-quality fodder to local farms and initiating monitoring and evaluation to track progress and impact. The flexibility of the hydroponic system allows for adaptation to farmers' needs, offering scalability depending on resource availability. Smaller, premanufactured systems can be used initially, reducing the financial burden for farmers, while locally sourced materials can further cut costs before larger setups are adopted. In many rural areas where men often migrate in search of employment, women have increasingly taken on significant agricultural roles. By learning smart farming techniques such as hydroponics, women gain critical skills in business and resource management. These new capabilities not only improve their self-reliance but also empower them to become leaders in their communities, inspiring other women to engage in sustainable farming and advocate for gender equality.

Phase 2: Training sessions were conducted for local farmers on hydroponic techniques and livestock management, emphasizing sustainable practices and resource efficiency. 

To bring this vision to life, a reputable Spanish supplier, known for its advanced hydroponic systems, was selected through a competitive tender process. This company, with decades of experience in developing hydroponic technologies, provided a full-service package, including business consultancy, system manufacturing, delivery, installation, and setup. Recently, the company’s expert visited Tajikistan to oversee the installation of the hydroponic system and provide hands-on training to local farmers. These sessions addressed common challenges in hydroponic farming, such as managing root rot and bacterial diseases, ensuring that farmers could effectively manage their new systems from the start.

Turtle hatchery management was not entirely new for local community members and authorities. Previous projects on Saint Martin Island had supported successful turtle conservation activities funded by UNDP. The Department of Environment also implements turtle hatchery initiatives during the breeding season. 

In Tioman, Juara Turtle Project, the host organization who trained the Bangladeshi delegation, formed by government officials and a local community champion, shared their turtle hatchery protocol. This protocol was discussed with Saint-Martin Island turtle conservation group members and adopted to upgrade their practices. 

The learnings from the site visit were easily transferrable, even if the learning exchange only lasted for a week, because Saint Martin Island’s stakeholders had already a good knowledge and practice of turtle hatchery. It was only a matter of adding some structure and process to their current practice. Even though, compared to Tioman, there are species-level differences; in Bangladesh, the Olive Ridley turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea) is predominant, whereas in Tioman, the Green (Chelonia mydas) and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles are more common. And there is a difference in the average temperature range. 

Besides, they also learned how to protect turtle eggs from predation, especially by feral dogs, the biggest threat for turtle conservation on the island. This latter aspect came as a bonus, as it was not expected to be part of the learnings.

Following the successful pilot in Matondoni village, there has been high demand and acceptance of the ICS, with neighboring villages and organisations seeking support. As part of the upscaling effort, 41 cookstoves were built in Pate village including Pate Primary School and involved an additional 13 trainees. 

Further, the County Government of Lamu partnered with Wetlands International to install 10 cookstoves in five wards on a pilot basis. This initiative aligns with the County's Integrated Development Plan 2023-2027, which highlights the significance of cookstoves in enhancing energy efficiency. A total of 3,010 people continue to benefit from these cookstoves in Lamu.

Cookstove installation was done on a cost-sharing basis, with the community contributing sand and cement. This arrangement fostered a sense of ownership and encouraged better care and maintenance, increasing the cookstoves' durability and cost-effectiveness. Additionally, training community members on installation and maintenance ensured quick access to support, further enhancing ownership and acceptance.

A skilled technician with wide experience was engaged to design and produce affordable, accessible improved cookstoves. The implementation process involved the community, training eight men and seven women from Matondoni to install and maintain the cookstoves. Additionally, all beneficiaries received basic training on optimal usage and maintenance to ensure long-term sustainability.

In collaboration with local partners, we identified vulnerable areas and conducted a survey in Matondoni village, Lamu, where traditional cookstoves are common. The survey assessed cooking needs and methods while raising awareness about the benefits of ICS for both mangroves and human wellbeing. Two cookstoves were initially set up to gather feedback from end-users over two months on their experiences, benefits, and challenges. Following this pilot, an additional 51 cookstoves were built to inform scaling efforts in other areas of Lamu.

In the framework of the project, the specialists of the public foundation "CAMP Alatoo" jointly with the forestry staff and with the pasture committees of the villages have been assessing the condition of pastures in the pilot forestry farms since 2015. The joint monitoring was conducted twice a year before grazing and after grazing in the pastures. 

      Annual monitoring results contribute to a more objective distribution of livestock in pastures and prevention of degradation.       

       Pasture monitoring determines the state of pastures, and calculates the norms of pasture load. The pasture monitoring data helps the forestry to assess the degree of degradation of pastures and to develop measures to prevent degradation and to prevent mudflows and landslides in pastures.

In 2021 the project developed a mobile application "Pasture Monitoring" which allows collecting data on the condition of pastures through a smartphone in the fields without internet.  

The application is developed on the basis of two methods of pasture estimation:

1. Measuring stick method - to estimate projective vegetation coverage of the pasture area

2. The clipping method - to determine the productivity of pastures

The digital tool was specially developed taking into account the fact that rural specialists who are poorly versed in the technique could independently assess pastures quickly and without special training. Also, the mobile application allows you to collect high-quality data on the state of pastures and effectively manage pasture resources based on the data. In addition, all data collected through the mobile application automatically transfers to a central server where it will be stored.

Working with the mobile application allows to quickly and efficiently monitor pastures, the data from which immediately goes to the server, facilitates the work of employees, relieving them of paperwork and re-entering the data into the computer.

  The  Grazing Management Plan is an important tool for improving the joint work of the local forestry and pasture committee and pasture users aimed at the development of joint management of forest pastures, conservation of forest ecosystems and rational use of lands of the state forest fund.

        The Grazing management plan in the forest areas  is developed annually by March 1, together with the pasture committee and the forestry committee and also involves pasture users  before the beginning of the grazing season.

The developed Grazing Management Plan, agreed with the Pasture Committee, is approved by the order of the Director of Forestry.

The implementation of the management plan is monitored by the forestry  and the pasture committee at least twice a year and monitoring is initiated by the forestry committee. During the joint monitoring they visit the pasture areas and check how the developed plan is implemented and determine the improvements that can be included for the next year.

The grazing management plan includes the following sections :

1.Chapter/ Introduction.

2.Chapter. Characteristics of the forestry, village and information about the pasture committee.

3 Chapter. Current condition of grazing (Information about the number of cattle of the shepherds).

4.Chapter. Determination of acceptable grazing load on forestry lands (Determination of grazing rates, distribution of number of livestock on grazed plots, mapping of plots).

5.Chapter. Planning the use of lands used for grazing (grazing schedule, assessment of grazing load, identification of problems and needs in grazing).

6.Chapter. Monitoring the implementation of the plan (data on the results of monitoring the use of land for the current year is entered).