Subnational | PANORAMA

East and South Africa

Implementing FLR in wildlife-coupled systems using Pastoralist Managed Natural Regeneration (PMNR) techniques

Hannah

Weggerle

Identification of a Suitable Community-Based Organization (ALOCA)

Organization of Community Meetings with Landowners (Local Barazas)

Agreement on Designating and Demarcating Restoration Sites

Raising Awareness on Restoration and Livelihood Opportunities for Maasai Women and Youth

Monitoring and Reporting on Restoration Progress

East and South Africa

Implementing FLR in wildlife-coupled systems using Pastoralist Managed Natural Regeneration (PMNR) techniques

Hannah

Weggerle

Identification of a Suitable Community-Based Organization (ALOCA)

Organization of Community Meetings with Landowners (Local Barazas)

Agreement on Designating and Demarcating Restoration Sites

Raising Awareness on Restoration and Livelihood Opportunities for Maasai Women and Youth

Monitoring and Reporting on Restoration Progress

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

Addressing Socio-Economic Needs Through Livelihood Alter-natives

Lead farmer, Owen Gomani in his banana orchard as part of livelihood boost

FAO

Potato in storage waiting for price hikes, The potato was grown at the rehabilitated Chiyata Irrigation to enable multiple cropping in a season

FAO

This building block aligns Farmer Field School (FFS) activities with the economic needs of local communities by introducing sustainable livelihood options. By teaching agroforestry, diversified crops and other commercial enterprises, FFS help farmers improve soil health, increase crop yields and find alternatives to unsustainable practices such as charcoal production. This approach provides economic incentives to adopt sustainable practices, demonstrating that FLR can improve both environmental and economic well-being.

Financial and logistical support from project partners enables the initial implementation of agroforestry and income-generating activities. Training on alternative livelihoods through FFS demonstrates the economic value of sustainable practices, making them more attractive to farmers.

Aligning FLR activities with local economic needs is essential for long-term success. When farmers see improved yields and increased incomes, they are more likely to adopt sustainable practices. Ensuring that restoration efforts contribute to immediate livelihood improvements motivates community members to actively participate in FLR.

Implementation

Subnational

National

Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Practices

FFS combines traditional land management practices with sustainable FLR techniques, allowing communities to build on their existing knowledge. This integration respects cultural practices and promotes acceptance, facilitating the transition to sustainable land management. This step is also essential when communities make comparisons between what they are learning and their own knowledge/skills/practices.

A key component of FFS success is the integration of traditional knowledge, achieved through open dialogue with local elders and knowledge holders. Facilitators and project leaders are encouraged to understand and respect existing land use practices, which helps to integrate these practices with modern sustainable techniques. This culturally sensitive approach facilitates the acceptance of new methods, while increasing their effectiveness by building on familiar practices. Support from project partners ensures that traditional methods are respected and combined with ecological restoration techniques, increasing both community buy-in and practical relevance.

Combining traditional and modern practices makes FLR more relevant to local contexts. When restoration techniques resonate with familiar practices, communities are more likely to engage in and adopt FLR activities because these methods feel accessible and practical. When local knowledge forms the basis of the restoration approach, communities feel that they are partners rather than passive recipients of aid. This sense of ownership is essential for the long-term management of restored areas, as communities feel personally responsible for maintaining and protecting these landscapes. Traditional knowledge also often includes time-tested methods that are well suited to the local environment, such as specific planting cycles or water conservation practices adapted to seasonal weather patterns.

Implementation

Subnational

National

East and South Africa

Farmer Field Schools demonstrating conservation agriculture with trees to scale up soil conservation

Hannah

Weggerle

Establishing local leadership and community-buy in

Selecting and Training of Lead Farmers

Conducting Demonstration Days and Hands-On Learning

Integrating Traditional Knowledge and Sustainable Practices

Addressing Socio-Economic Needs Through Livelihood Alter-natives

Establishing Strong Support Systems and Monitoring

Training of committees

The committees are trained on general management of the reserve. Some topics include facilitation of natural regeneration, simple silvicultural operations, firebreak maintenance. Apart from these technical topics, group dynamics and conflict management are also taught. These topics help to ensure all the committee members, and the general communities work towards achieving one agenda despite diversities in opinions.

Key staff from government departments at the District Council had an agreement with FAO on implementation of activities. The staff are well trained and experienced.

Providing resources to professional staff as working partners makes implementation of activities easy.

Implementation

Subnational

Demarcation of Reserve Boundaries with Community Involvement

Boundary demarcation of Mvai Forest Reserve

FAO

The demarcation of Mvai Forest Reserve’s boundaries was a collaborative effort involving the local community, traditional leaders, and government agencies. Through consultations and field visits, boundaries were marked to clearly delineate protected areas, minimizing conflicts over land use and reducing unauthorized access. Community members participated in the boundary-setting process, reinforcing their understanding and respect for the protected area’s limits. Demarcation included physical markers, providing a visible reminder to the community of the forest’s boundaries, which also helped organize patrols and enforce restricted access. This clear boundary setting allowed the project to manage forest resources systematically, while community participation ensured the demarcation was respected and recognized by all stakeholders. This collaborative demarcation process strengthened the community’s role in conservation and solidified the boundaries as a foundation for sustainable management.

Community Participation: Engaged residents in marking boundaries, promoting local respect.
Government and Traditional Leader Support: Provided legitimacy to boundary setting.
Physical Markers: Visible indicators reinforced the forest’s protected status.

Community involvement in boundary demarcation fosters respect and adherence to protected areas. When local residents actively participate in the boundary-setting process, they develop a stronger understanding of and commitment to respecting the forest’s limits. The process also highlighted that visible, physical markers are essential for maintaining clear boundaries, reducing misunderstandings and preventing unauthorized access. Additionally, engaging community leaders and traditional authorities in demarcation efforts enhances local accountability, as these respected figures can advocate for adherence within their communities. The exercise showed that boundary demarcation is most effective when supported by education on the ecological importance of the reserve, helping the community see the demarcation as a shared responsibility to protect resources that support local water supply, agriculture, and livelihoods.

Implementation

Subnational

Adequate By-Laws and Enforcement Mechanisms

Community members strategizing on monitoring restoration activities

FAO

To curb illegal activities in Mvai Forest Reserve, stricter by-laws and enhanced enforcement mechanisms were introduced through the Chief’s Forum in collaboration with local government. These by-laws regulate activities such as charcoal production, farming, and firewood collection within the reserve. Measures include stricter penalties for illegal resource use, community sensitization on legal repercussions, and improved support for local patrol committees. The project provided necessary equipment to community committees for patrolling and monitoring encroachment, while local authorities agreed to expedite legal proceedings for forest-related offenses. This stricter enforcement framework addresses the underlying issues of encroachment, ensuring that illegal activities are deterred effectively. Additionally, community sensitization campaigns, led by traditional authorities, reinforced the importance of compliance with by-laws for sustainable forest management.

Local and Traditional Authority Support: Chiefs and government officers endorsed enforcement efforts.
Community Patrols: Local committees were equipped to monitor forest activities.
Judiciary Engagement: Legal support expedited the processing of forest offense cases.

Stricter by-laws are essential for effective resource management. Local enforcement, backed by traditional leaders, improves community adherence and fosters respect for regulations. Providing resources and equipment to community patrols ensures they are well-equipped to monitor forest activities, while judicial support enhances the enforcement of penalties. Community education about legal consequences builds understanding and discourages illegal activities. The Chief’s Forum’s role in sensitization and enforcement bridges the gap between traditional authority and formal governance, making enforcement measures more cohesive and effective.

Implementation

Subnational