The intervention followed a dialogical, farmer-centred, problem-solving approach. Starting with six farmers, the project used community learning to co-design interventions. It scaled gradually by demonstrating visible results. Farmers participated in identifying soil degradation drivers and jointly designed context-appropriate agroforestry systems. Through empowerment and co-learning, the number of farmers rose to over 1,000. This process built ownership, strengthened resilience, and ensured equity. Children and youth were engaged through household and school-based activities, promoting early NbS awareness.

The project introduced tree and shrub hedgerows along contour lines, intercropped with maize and beans, to rebuild soil fertility and control erosion. Double hedgerows spaced at 10m intervals and inter-row distances of 30cm allowed farmers to grow up to 121 trees and 8,623 shrubs per hectare without compromising crop yields. Trees provided shade, cooking fuel, and biomass; shrubs offered forage and green manure. Mulching from biomass and crop residues maintained soil moisture and improved microbial activity. This system proved to increase yields, reduce crop failure during dry spells, and restore degraded lands.

Strong collaboration between government agencies, research institutions, local farmers, and private sector partners mobilizes resources, enhances project sustainability, and empowers local communities. 

Women and youth are prioritized for training, ensuring equitable access to new agricultural technologies and leadership opportunities. 

Testing these microbial formulations on coffee farms ensures their effectiveness and builds local capacity in sustainable agricultural practices. 

The project uses genomic sequencing and metagenomic analyses to identify effective bioactive pest control agents. These lab-based solutions are translated into practical, farmer-friendly products through farmer field schools and demonstration plots. The project’s microbial formulations were developed with a plan to optimize and re-test the most effective formula for broader adoption. 

Top-level athletes have an important communications platform at their disposal and can lead by example, making them key contributors to the Healthy Waters Alliance’s goals. By using this awareness-raising potential, they can help bring attention to the degradation of freshwater and coastal ecosystems, increase visibility of practical solutions, and drive greater public engagement and action. 

Appointing athlete ambassadors dedicated to the cause strengthens the movement. With the launch of the Healthy Waters Alliance, World Rowing have engaged Christine Cavallo (USA) and Martin Helseth (NOR) as the first World Rowing Healthy Waters Ambassadors, and are now looking to expand this into a global Athlete Ambassador Programme with representatives from each continent.

Athletes inspire action more effectively than generic messages, making initiatives more relatable and engaging. For example, Norwegian Olympian Martin Helseth led a powerful environmental initiative through the World Rowing – WWF Healthy Waters Alliance to inspire action across Norway’s rowing community. The project demonstrated how athletes can effectively engage the public and protect nature by addressing water pollution in the Oslo Fjord. The initiative includes two key phases: 

• Phase 1: Clean-Up Week (3–8 June 2025) – Timed with World Ocean Day, rowing clubs in Oslo conducted seabed dives, shoreline clean-ups, and environmental education to tackle local pollution. 
• Phase 2: Oslo Fjord Restoration Day (23 August 2025) – This phase will focus on habitat restoration and youth involvement, supported by the local NGO Marea.

Helseth’s leadership exemplifies how athlete ambassadors can lead grassroots environmental efforts with global impact, aiming to foster a new generation of nature protectors in rowing and beyond. 

The Healthy Waters Alliance connects the Rowing community with WWF communities worldwide to foster collaboration. Together, they co-create and jointly deliver local projects and initatives that protect and restore healthy waters through awareness and hands-on action, benefiting rowing, communities, and ecosystems. Working with WWF ensures that actions implemented by rowing communities are relevant from a nature conservation perspective. 

 Projects can be initiated by National Rowing Federations, clubs, athletes, event organisers, or WWF local offices. After contacting the Healthy Waters Alliance, through submitting their interest via an online form partners agree on a locally impactful project recognized by the Alliance. These projects focus on community engagement, nature restoration, waste reduction and other areas.  

  The rowing community benefits from the platform through access to educational workshops, working groups, global visibility of local projects, and healthier waters for rowing. In turn, WWF offices gain partners who help raise awareness on the freshwater & coastal ecosystems' crisis and promote solutions, while engaging with event organisers to drive visibility at major rowing events with wide media coverage.