The purpose of the Academy was to support participants in developing the skills and experience necessary for leadership in navigating complex systems and fostering agroecological transformation.
A suitable concept to fulfill this purpose was developed over a span of three months (July – September 2023): 

Consequently, the purpose was distilled into three key objectives: Learning, Acting, and Networking. These objectives were reflected in the design of each session and supported at three levels:  individuals, country teams, and the global cohort.
The methodology of the Agroecology Leadership Academy was based on 7 principles:

• A close connection between the topic of Agroecology (the “What”) and Transformation and Leadership (the “How”)
• A clear focus on transformation skills and mindset
• Transformation initiatives as core learning projects
• In-Country facilitators to support the country teams
• Linking Learning, Acting and Networking
• Systemic, experiential and relational learning
• The strong role of communication

The general structure of the Academy was organised into four phases: Sowing, Growing, Harvesting and Transforming. Various learning formats were implemented throughout these phases, including an online kick-off event, two international in-presence learning events, four international online sessions, and individual workshops for the different country teams. These formats concentrated on the aforementioned levels. While the meetings within the country teams emphasised teamwork at the national level, the international sessions facilitated mutual learning among the global cohort. 

After the concept development phase, the participant selection process commenced. The goal was to assemble a heterogenous group representing diverse stakeholder groups, skills, ages and genders. 
A call for applications was sent out to a pre-defined group of potential participants from agroecology-networks in the respective countries. Following the evaluation of initial applications based on predefined selection criteria, individual selection conversations were conducted to finalise the group composition, with five participants chosen from each country. 
In selecting participants, not only individual criteria were considered, but also the need for complementary skills within the group composition.  Each participant was expected to contribute something from their personal background that would benefit the group as a whole.
This selection process ensured that different levels of the agricultural and food system were represented - participants included, among others, farmers, founders of agricultural enterprises, university professors, and representatives of ministries of agriculture - as well as ensuring a balanced gender ratio within the group.

De manera específica, una metodología del Protocolo para la recopilación de información y el ejercicio de monitoreo consiste en la instalación de estaciones en acero inoxidable con cámaras que registran una locación particular durante un tiempo determinado. Junto a la cámara se ubica un contenedor de PVC con carnada para atraer a especies carnívoras, pero sin ofrecerles alimento. 

Se trata de una herramienta para el monitoreo de grandes peces pelágicos y/o depredadores (especies focales) en Áreas Marinas Protegidas (AMP) del Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación (SINAC) de Costa Rica.  Este protocolo cuenta con una selección de indicadores que permitirán evaluar el estado de conservación en el que se encuentran las especies focales año tras año con el fin de identificar cambios a corto plazo y proporcionar alertas tempranas a los tomadores de decisiones. Se proponen técnicas de monitoreo estandarizadas, efectivas y accesibles que no dependan necesariamente de personal científico especializado en el campo. A largo plazo, esta información servirá para evaluar tendencias poblacionales, identificar amenazas y fortalecer la efectividad de las AMP hacia la conservación de un grupo de especies cuya presencia es vital para el funcionamiento y salud de los ecosistemas.

A key achievement of the project is the establishment of a new technological unit within the Ministry of Agriculture, which will leverage drone technology for more efficient monitoring of agricultural practices and their impact on biodiversity. This unit will also support environmental agencies and organizations in enhancing biodiversity management.

To operationalize this initiative, the project, in collaboration with Eco Fund, has secured the procurement of two drones and comprehensive training for the first-ever drone operator unit within the Ministry. Additionally, the project has established cooperation between this unit and the Public Enterprise for the Management of National Parks (PENP), as well as managers of the nature parks Komovi and Orjen, ensuring that relevant stakeholders gain access to critical monitoring data and analysis.

The operationalisation of the National Commission on Sustainable Development of Togo within the framework of the AFR100 initiative was held in Lomé at Hôtel La Concorde on 8 February 2023. It was attended by 53 participants from public, civil society organisations, parliament, religious and traditional leaders and international institutions working in Togo.

The meeting was presided over by The Secretary General of the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources. Representatives of all sectoral ministries attended the metting. The speech of the CEO of AUDA-NEPAD, Dr Nardos-Bekele Thomas was read by Ousseynou Ndoye, the AFR100 Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa. The speech of GIZ-F4F was read by Simon Lange of GIZ-F4F. The Secretary General read the speech of the Minister of Environment and Forest Resources.

The CNDD is a decree signed by the President of the Republic of Togo, the Prime Minister and several sectoral ministries in Togo. This shows a very high level of appropriation and it is unique in the AFR100 initiative. Furthermore, there are other administrative orders creating committees at regional (CRDD) and communal levels (CCDD). The operationalization of the CNDD has been done through articles 3 and 4 of the government decree creating the CNDD. 

21. FLR ACHIEVEMENTS BY PARTNERS IN TOGO

1. Political involvement in FLR by high level authorities.
2. Green jobs are provided for women, youth, adult and minorities through FLR activities.
3. Organization of an annual reforestation campaign in the Togo.
4. Organization of a national campaign to fight forest fire and to sensitize the population.
5. Ambition to plan 1 billion trees by 2030 as recommanded by the President of Togo.
6. In 2022, the Union of NGOs of Togo has planted 826,665 trees over a target of 1,412,740 trees (59 %) on 428 hectares over a target of 1423 hectares (30%). 
7. 279 enterprise development plans (business plans) have been elaborated for communities.
8. Consolidation of 30 value chains related to agricultural and agroforestry products.
9. Evaluation of FLR opportunities at national level.
10. In 2021, in total 3,303,024 plants were produced and 4500 hectares restored by the national reforestation program with funding from the government and involvement of national stakeholders.
11. In 2022, in total  5,207,250 plants were produced and 8256 hectares were restored.
12. Average revenue was increased by 25 % for households involved in honey, parkia biglobosa, shea butter and fuelwood value chains.

22. FLR CHALLENGES IN TOGO

1. Tenure issues and conflict between smallholder farmers, pastoralists/herders, fishermen and managers of protected areas
2. Degradation and reduction of forest cover due to increasing demand of fuelwood, timber and uncontrolled fires
3. Lack of financial resources to carry out restoration activities at very large scale
4. Mobilisation of stakeholders to monitor AFR100 implementation
5. Sensitization and capacity strengthening on best FLR practices
6. Elaboration of a national strategy on FLR in Togo
7. Maintenance and monitoring of seedlings planted
8. Water management in nurseries
9. Integration of climate change mitigation and adaptation and forest landscape restoration in municipal development plans
10. Climate risks and forests fires
11. High dependency of communities on forests resources
12. Weak competitiveness of NGOs in mobilizing trust funds
13. Predominance of biomass as the main source of energy
14. Failure to materialize or respect transhumance corridors
15. Overgrazing and unsuitable agricultural practices
16. Uncontrolled urbanization and demographic explosion