Subnational | PANORAMA

Research on native species, technical development and standard promotion

The Engineers’ Association prioritises research on native species, leading to breakthroughs in early emergence techniques for bamboo shoots, organic fertiliser production, and mixed planting of hickory and native herbs. These advancements not only address farmers’ technical challenges but also enhance biodiversity and ecosystem resilience. The Association has also contributed to the formulation of forest resource management standards for Lin’an District, ensuring scientific guidance for agroforestry development is rooted in local ecological conditions.

The Association integrates experts from various fields to research native species and develop agroforestry techniques that balance conservation and economic growth
Collaboration with local government, research institutions, and experienced farmers facilitates the development and implementation of scientific standards for local forestry products such as the bamboo shoots, hickory nuts, and other flagship products

Cross-sectoral collaboration is essential for advancing agroforestry technologies and promoting standardised, research-based approaches to native species conservation and sustainable use

Local

Subnational

Comprehensive Factory Layout and Workflow of Menstrual Pad Production Unit

Every Side View of factory

@NIDISI

Factory layout with dimension

@NIDISI

Front view of Factory

@NIDISI

Machine Placement in Production Area

@NIDISI

Factory Layout Overview:

The sanitary pad production unit is located near an urban area to ensure easier access to distribution channels, skilled labor, and transport networks. The factory is built with concrete walls and insulated galvanized tin sheet roofing, providing durability and heat protection during warmer seasons.

Total Area: 1,420 sq. ft
Production Scale: Semi-scale
Daily Output: 3,000 pads
Key Areas: Raw material storage, production floor, office, break room, restroom, and an internal lab for testing pads

For visuals of the layout and machine placement, please refer to the gallery attached to this block.

Step-by-Step Production Workflow

Raw Material Collection
Banana Fiber Paper Shredding
Fluffy Absorbent Core Formation
Layer Assembly and UV Sterilization
Packaging and Storage

Note: Hygiene is a top priority. The factory adheres strictly to national hygiene standards and follows clear internal protocols to ensure product safety at every stage of production. For further insights on hygiene practices, see Solution name “Defining a Good Menstrual Pad: A User-Centered R&D Process in Nepal.”

Additional Documents Available in this Block:

Detailed factory layout and production/material flow (PDF)
Energy consumption overview (PDF)
Cost estimation for setting up the factory (PDF)

Access to Skilled and Committed Local Teams: A key enabler was working with a motivated local team of engineers, technicians, and community members who co-developed the layout, machinery, and production processes.
Collaborative Engineering Partnerships: Close collaboration between Sparśa, NIDISI, and Grit Engineering ensured a practical and efficient setup tailored to compostable pad production using banana fiber.
Availability of Local Building Materials: Using locally available materials for construction helped reduce costs, avoid delays, and ensure context-appropriate building design.
Proximity to Urban Infrastructure: Choosing a location close to electricity supply lines, road access, and labor pools helped streamline setup and operational logistics.
Commitment to Hygiene and Quality Standards: The integration of hygiene protocols and on-site testing facilities ensured product safety and regulatory compliance from the beginning.
Hands-On Prototyping and Iteration: The flexibility to prototype machine layouts and factory flow on-site allowed for rapid problem-solving and process improvements.

Start with a Leased Facility
When budgets are limited, leasing a space is a more flexible and cost-effective option. Once the product gains traction and operations stabilize, you can invest in building a permanent facility.
Select Your Location Wisely: Choose land with access to government utilities like water and electricity. Avoid polluted areas or sites near chemical factories to meet hygiene standards. Engaging with local community members early can help prevent land-use conflicts later.
Involve Professionals from the Start: Even for small buildings, consulting architects or engineers is essential. Key aspects like ventilation, lighting, and structural durability are often overlooked without expert input.
Maintain Clear Communication with Contractors: Regular updates and site visits help ensure that the work follows your expectations and timeline, reducing delays and misunderstandings.
Plan the Electrical Setup Around Machines: Understand your machines’ power needs (single-phase vs. three-phase) before finalizing layout. Proper planning avoids costly rewiring or power mismatches during installation.
Build Local Technical Support Networks: Having a reliable local metalworker or technician on standby can make a big difference when small repairs or adjustments are needed—keeping your production on track.

Local

Subnational

Detailed Process and Material Flow Inside Factory

Energy Consumption in Pad Factory

Cost Estimation for Factory Setup with Machine

Okomu National Park staff have increased capacity for preventive law enforcement and are implementing a standardized law enforcement strategy throughout the project

As part of the process of developing a law enforcement strategy for Okomu National Park that is focused on crime prevention, and to build capacity of rangers of the park in data collection and analysis using Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), SCERA organised a 5 days training workshop. The course aimed to build the capacity of ONP staff, national park service staff and SCERA staff in core SMART skills, and provide them with resources to support further training of protected area staff. The training/workshop was taught by a consultant TCHAKOUDEU KEHOU Stephane

More so, a 2-day training on Human Rights and Social Safeguards training took place. The same batch of rangers that were trained on SMART were the ones trained. After the training, a WhatsApp group was created for the consultant to continue to share information with the rangers

Implementation

Subnational

Local capacity building

As a following step to the shark camp, we seek to contribute to the generation of conservation measures for the protection of the whale shark, based on scientific tourism and knowledge, as mechanisms of transformation.

In doing so, we intend to strengthen local capacities and contribute to the development of sustainable local productive activities, aware of the need to protect the marine ecosystems in the northern Colombian Pacific. Thus, generating behavioral changes that contribute to the conservation of this endangered species.

This next step is supported by the Save the Blue Five project, which is funded by the BMUV (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). This alliance seeks to have a more significant positive impact in other areas of the Colombian Pacific where whale shark interactions also occur, raising awareness in local communities, promoting behavioral change to improve responsible sighting and tourism practices, and, when possible, promote local conservation agreements.

In addition, ongoing work and connections with the local community, especially those involved in marine megafauna tourism, are key factors in generating local capacity building and behavioral changes for conservation.

The coordination of regional organizations and authorities in the local communities is essential for the correct development of this next step to follow, as well as for the adoption of new regulatory and operational guidelines for tourism.

Inception phase

Subnational

Responsible code of conduct for whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) responsible tourism.

Infographics explaining the code of conduct for responsible whale shark tourism

Fundación MarAdentro

This protocol is contained in Resolution 0841 of 2024, issued by the Corporación Autónoma Regional para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Chocó (Codechocó), which seeks to define behavioral actions and establish measures for responsible whale sharks tourism (including other species) to safeguard their welfare. It is aimed at fishermen, tourists and the community in general.

Measures include the number of boats allowed with a shark or group of sharks at the same time, the maximum time and minimum distance, the mandatory use of life jacket and the carrying capacity of the area. It also prohibits feeding sharks, swimming near them, free-diving, and throwing garbage in places not designated for it.

In addition to drafting the protocol, which was subsequently approved and adopted by Codechocó, the initiative also developed an outreach strategy in which infographics (digital and printed) were designed that summarize the main guidelines of the protocol and the ecological characteristics of whale sharks, highlighting the importance of protecting the species. This material is used to support education and outreach activities (e.g. workshops, lectures) involving fishermen, local communities, tourists and tour operators.

The main contribution of this tool has been changing the behavior of tour operators, visitors, fishermen, and the community at large to adhere to these minimum measures for the protection and conservation of whale sharks. This shows a considerable degree of effectiveness and receptiveness to this type of measure, as well as the creation of positive perceptions of a scientific, responsible, and conservation-oriented tourism model.

Implementation

Subnational

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x9foNJBlVipVX17L14w8ULMeyfAGAAKd/view?usp=shar…

Trust Building

Trust-building is essential for an effective feedback mechanism, ensuring stakeholders feel safe raising concerns. Without trust, people may hesitate to report issues due to fear of retaliation or inaction, undermining the system’s purpose.

As stakeholders see their concerns addressed, trust deepens, leading to greater participation and stronger relationships between communities and conservation partners. Over time, this trust improves conflict resolution and increases local support for conservation efforts.

Accessibility and confidentiality are key. Secure lock boxes in each zone allow safe, confidential submissions, encouraging participation. Impartiality is also crucial. The multi-organization response team, which includes representation from Frankfurt Zoological Society, the Chitimbwa Iyendwe Conservation Project, and Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife FZS, reassures stakeholders that feedback and grievances will be handled fairly.

Consistent communication and follow-ups further strengthen trust. Keeping complainants informed about progress and resolutions demonstrates commitment. Transparency, including sharing general grievance outcomes in meetings, reinforces confidence.

Building trust in the feedback mechanism requires consistent engagement, transparency, and responsiveness. Early on, accessibility proved critical - placing lock boxes in multiple zones ensured community members could submit concerns easily and confidentially. However, initial lack of awareness limited participation, highlighting the need for repeated sensitization meetings to explain the process and reassure people of confidentiality.

Impartiality was another key lesson. By involving multiple organizations (FZS, DNPW and CICP) in the review team, the mechanism gained credibility, reducing fears of bias. Timely responses were also essential; delays in addressing grievances risked eroding confidence, emphasizing the importance of clear timelines and interim updates.

Additionally, managing expectations was necessary. Not all concerns could be resolved immediately, and some fell outside of the NTCP’s mandate. The set up of the mechanism stipulated that such issues were to be passed onto relevant bodies such as the Zambia police (no serious grievances requiring this action have been received to date). Communicating what the mechanism could and couldn’t address helped maintain trust. Ultimately, transparency, follow-through, and ongoing dialogue proved vital in ensuring the community viewed the process as fair and reliable.

Building block 1 – Title * [255] Transparency with communities

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.

Transparency in the feedback mechanism is ensured through accessibility, impartiality, and accountability. Lock boxes in four zones allow confidential submissions, ensuring community voices are heard. A multi-organization response team ensures fair reviews, while regular meetings provide updates on actions taken. The project’s constitution guides decision-making, which is implemented by elected representatives at both the CICP and zonal levels, fostering trust and community ownership.

Ensuring transparency in the feedback mechanism has provided key lessons that strengthen trust and accountability.

Accessibility played a crucial role, as lock boxes in four zones allowed community members to submit grievances confidentially, increasing participation.

Impartiality in reviewing the feedback was also important. Having a response team composed of multiple organizations reduces bias and reassured the community that concerns would be handled fairly.

Regular communication proved essential, with meetings providing updates on any grievances and actions taken, reinforcing trust.

A clear governance structure of the CICP and zonal committees, ensured consistency in handling feedback. Additionally, involving elected Zonal Committee representatives in oversight strengthened local ownership and legitimacy.

OPERATIONALISATION OF THE REGIONAL COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The operationalization of the Regional Commission on Sustainable Development of the Central Region of Togo within the framework of the AFR100 initiative was held in Sokode, Togo on 4 May 2023. It was attended by 67 participants from public, civil society organisations, prefets, mayors, religious and traditional leaders, communities.

The meeting was presided over by The Prefet of Tchaoudjo. 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 Prefet of Tchaoudjo delivered the speech of the official opening ceremony.

32. FLR CHALLENGES IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF TOGO

Tenure issues and conflict between smallholder farmers, pastoralists/herders, fishermen and managers of protected areas
Degradation and reduction of forest cover due to increasing demand of fuelwood, timber and uncontrolled fires
In the Central region of Togo, Ricinodendron heudelotii is a threaten specy. This is interesting because in Central Africa, Ricinodendron heudelotii is not a threaten specy

31. FLR HIGHLIGHTS IN THE CENTRAL REGION OF TOGO

Integrating agriculture-agroforestry-and forestry which is a good source of diversification and possibility for the ministry of agriculture and environment to collaborate on FLR issues
Cretaing a besser understanding by summarizing and sharing all projects managed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest Resources with decentralized administration levels like prefects and mayors
The central region of Togo offer an opportunity to restore more than 1,400,000 hectares of degraded forests and lands which exceeds the government pledge to the AFR100 initiative. This implies that Togo has a possibility to commit more than 1,400,000 hectares if one considers the entire country.

33. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE OPERATIONALISATION OF THE REGIONAL COMMISSION ON SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

1. Introduce fast growing trees to enable communities get more access to sources of fuelwood and charcoal
2. Subsidize the cost of gas (for household cocking) to make it more accessible to rural communities in order to reduce the pressure on forests. This should be possible, because in Togo the price of one liter of fuel is 700 CFA FRANCS whereas in Senegal it is 990 CFA FRANCS
3. Take full advantage of the demographic situation to involve youth in restoration activities in Togo
4. The improved stoves put up by the NGO, AGAIB need to be widely disseminated and scaled up to reduce the use of fuelwood and charcoal
5. Enable communities to get access to more potable water and to improve their health
6. Restoration in community forests and in communal forests should always inlude non-timber forests products such as karité (Vitelaria paradoxa) and néré (Parkia biglobosa) which are very valuable species to communities.

Subnational

Public Awareness and Community Mobilization Through Cultural Campaigns

Miti Festival

WWF Kenya

Members of the community plant trees during Miti Festival

WWF Kenya

Stakeholders meeting at Kiwanja ndege during Miti Festival

WWF Kenya

Planting activity during Miti Festival

WWF Kenya

The KCNRN promotes FLR awareness and community participation through innovative campaigns, such as linking restoration efforts to cultural events. The "Miti" festival mobilizes schools, businesses, and government institutions for large-scale tree planting, using social media influencers to amplify participation. This campaign integrates cultural identity with environmental action, fostering a sense of ownership among community members. By making tree planting a shared cultural event, the network raises awareness of sustainable land use while strengthening public support for FLR initiatives.

Use of cultural events like the "Miti" festival to anchor restoration campaigns.
Engagement of social media influencers to increase public participation.
Collaboration with schools, businesses, and local government institutions.

Cultural campaigns are powerful tools for mobilizing large-scale community participation and fostering long-term commitment to FLR:

Cultural Integration: Linking the "Miti" tree planting festival to cultural traditions created a sense of pride and ownership among community members, making restoration efforts relatable and engaging.
Use of Social Media Influencers: Mobilizing local influencers expanded the reach of the campaign, ensuring broad public participation and awareness, particularly among younger demographics.
Collaboration with Institutions: Partnerships with schools, businesses, and local government institutions ensured diverse participation and contributed to large-scale community engagement.
Annual Campaign Model: Establishing "Miti" as an annual event institutionalized restoration activities, ensuring sustained momentum and recurring public interest in FLR.
Localized Messaging: Tailored communication materials and campaigns addressed local environmental challenges, making FLR goals more relevant to the community

Implementation

Subnational

Establishing Strong Support Systems and Monitoring

Lead farmers supported with push bikes to ease mobility challenges for fulfilling their roles

FAO

Field staff equipped with motor cycles for effective monitoring of field activities

FAO

Conflict handling systems are in place to avoid frustrations from all the concerned individuals

FAO

Ongoing support and monitoring ensure that FFS efforts are sustained over time. External partners provide technical guidance, while local governance structures, like Village Natural Resources Committees, maintain accountability. Regular monitoring allows for adjustments based on feedback

Ongoing support from FAO, IUCN and BMUV funding ensures that the FFS model is well resourced and technically guided during the establishment phase. Local governance structures, such as Village Natural Resource Committees, will be established to maintain accountability and monitor progress within the community. These committees help to coordinate activities, track restoration milestones and maintain community commitments. Regular monitoring allows for adaptation based on feedback, ensuring that FFS activities remain effective and relevant. Ongoing engagement with external partners provides additional guidance, reinforcing community-led monitoring and helping to address emerging challenges.

Long-term success depends on sustained support and adaptive management. Building local capacity for monitoring and maintenance creates a lasting impact beyond the initial project phase.

Monitoring

Subnational