A structured monitoring and reporting framework was established to track the progress of each restoration method and assess outcomes. This framework involved regular data collection and reporting by trained community members, who were assigned specific tasks to ensure that the project’s ecological and social goals were being met. By monitoring the effectiveness of each intervention (e.g., soil erosion control, vegetation growth), the project could adapt techniques as needed and document best practices for future expansion.

Les chargées du suivi définis dans le cadre de la CL suivent le respect des règles, les mesures techniques prévues et l’évolution de la ressource.  Les résultats de visites de terrain sont présentés au moment des assemblées réguliers des signataires et lors des rencontres de la structure de gestion de la CL. 

Les résultats servent en tant que « outil d’aide à la décision » pour les actions ou futures ou modifications à entreprendre.

Pour obtenir des données valables et actuelles, et afin de faciliter leur propre monitoring des mesures de restauration, il est important que les communes veillent à la tenue des assemblées.  Il est conseillé qu’ils accompagnent le suivi propre des chargées de suivi de la CL. 

Outils : réunions du comité de suivi, assemblées générales, (photos, tableaux de suivi), enquêtes usagers

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.

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.

Overview of the Paper-Making Process and Factory Layout

This building block focuses on the paper-making process—from raw banana fibres to finished paper—and the factory layout. For detailed information about the machines and equipment used, please refer to the next building block.

Our process is a simplified, manual version of traditional paper-making, specifically designed to avoid the use of chemical products. For example, during the cooking stage, we use only clean water without additives. This thermo-mechanical treatment reduces environmental impact, simplifies wastewater treatment, and improves logistics. Given that our factory is located in rural Nepal, access to external materials can be challenging. Most of our equipment is designed and built locally to ensure easier maintenance.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Cutting Banana Fibres: After extraction, banana fibres are as long as the trunks. We cut them into pieces 1–2 cm in length using a commercial chaff cutter.
2. Boiling the Fibres: The cut fibres are placed in a drainer, which is then set in a boiler. Clean water is added, and once boiling begins, the fibres are cooked for 15 minutes. This step serves to clean the fibres.
3. Rinsing: After boiling, the drainer is removed, and the fibres are rinsed in clean water.
4. Refining: The fibres are gradually added to a Hollander beater, along with clean water. This key machine cuts, separates, and fibrillates the fibres, increasing their absorbency and preparing them for sheet formation.
5. Sheet Making: The resulting pulp is mixed with water in a vat. Operators use a mould and deckle to manually form individual sheets of paper.
6. Pressing and Drying: The wet sheets are stacked and pressed using a screw press to remove excess water. Once sufficiently dry, they are hung in a solar dryer (or greenhouse) to finish drying.

A PDF document titled “Process” is included with this building block, summarizing these steps with photos.

Factory Layout

You can find the factory layout in a separate PDF attached to this building block. It’s worth noting that fibre extraction also takes place in the same facility. For more details on that process, please refer to the building block dedicated to extraction.

Currently, we produce about 2 kg of paper per day, with plans to scale up to 20 kg per day within the next year. This increase will come from optimizing equipment and expanding our team of operators.

Another key component of the Agroecology Leadership Academy was the regular evaluation of its outcomes. Participants were frequently surveyed about their experiences with the Academy, its content, and their personal progress. This feedback was utilized not only to adapt the Academy's programme flexibly to meet the demands of the participants - an aspect previously identified as a success factor in other building blocks – but also to evaluate the entire programme more effectively and derive lessons learned for potential future academies. After the Academy concluded, these findings were compiled and discussed in an internal workshop involving the implementing organisations. The lessons learned, along with other relevant materials, are shared on various platforms, particularly Agroecology TPP, to assist organisations in planning and implementing similar projects. Additionally, the project was presented in a public webinar upon completion. During this webinar, Academy participants had the opportunity to showcase their transformation initiatives, providing a valuable chance to expand their networks and enhance the sustainability of the Academy.

The feedback mechanism increases transparency by providing a structured, accessible, and confidential way for community members to voice concerns or share feedback. With lock boxes placed in four zones, individuals can submit feedback without needing to travel or fear retaliation. A multi-organization response team ensures impartial review, demonstrating accountability and reducing perceptions of bias. Regular feedback reviews and community meetings provide updates on how concerns are addressed, reinforcing trust in the process and strengthening community confidence in conservation efforts.

Through the project’s efforts to assess the impacts of climate change on Montenegro’s biodiversity, it has become evident that bark beetles (Scolytinae) pose a significant threat to forest health across the country. These insects, which belong to the Curculionidae family, burrow into tree bark to feed and reproduce, causing severe damage that leads to large-scale tree mortality in Montenegro’s forests.

To combat this challenge, the project has procured 85 pheromone traps, which were strategically placed in National Park Prokletije and National Park Durmitor in May 2024. These traps function by attracting and capturing adult beetles, thereby reducing their population and mitigating the risk of further infestations. Initial results indicate the capturing of 12,746.015 bark beetles during three months, showcasing the effectiveness of this targeted intervention.