The methodological approach consists of the following steps (see also graphic in the gallery):

1. Collection of perceptions of involved professionals and other stakeholders with regard to key climate risks and spatial mapping of these risks.
2. Identification of key biophysical and socio-economic impacts of climate change in the region, in part by checking perceptions of stakeholders, in part by publicly available scientific data.
3. Assessment of ecosystem services relevant for human well-being and/or climate change adaptation with stakeholders during a workshop.
4. Definition of site-specific adaptation options and measures, including EbA.
5. Integration of results into the management plan.
6. Capacity development through courses and on-the-job training as a crucial accompanying measure.

The lack of fire and construction wood is a major challenge for the beneficiaries of the initiative. Therefore, we put into practice a holistic and inclusive approach:

• Strengthening the beneficiaries’ capacities for setting up and managing a social community space, taking into account the necessary resources

• The collection and processing of NTFPs from the restored plot, such as Neem seeds for oil production (income-generating activities)
• Gender mainstreaming: construction of improved stoves that is carried out by two Trainers Coordinators: Woman/Man who supervises the activities, who will in turn train Relay Trainers in the target villages  in construction, awareness and means of popularization of improved stoves and aware of the problem of wood energy. TwoTypes of improved stoves were used: "foyers améliorés 3 pierres", "foyers améliorés Bill-Bill". They increased their source of income, reduced the use of firewoods.
• While the recently planted trees and plants are still growing, 35 women have received training to build improved stoves using clay and straw which are raw materials found in nature (zero cost). This improves the living conditions of the population and reduces the pressure on the remaining natural resources. 

Community members and experts developed a topographic map of the selected plot showing the different soil types and adapted local plant and tree species. Two main soil types have been identified:

• The soils of the mountainsides: stony surfaces; horizon 1 (0 to 20 cm) is silty sandy with a mixture of stony grains; horizon 2 (20 to 40 cm) is dominated by large stones and a small proportion of soil and horizon 3: (40 to more) was not accessible. For this soil type, the appropriate species are: Acacia (Acacia nilotica, Acacia Sieberiana, Acacia seyal), Neem Azadirachta indica, Anogeissus leiocarpus, Jujube (Ziziphus mauritiana), River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis).
• The site bed is dominated by vertisols (i.e. soils with a high content of expansive clay minerals) with local withdrawal slots: horizon 1 (0 to 40 cm) composed of silt and clay and horizon 2 (40 to more) a mixture of silt, clay and stony grains. Suitable species include: Khaya (Khaya senegalensis), Cassia (Cassia siamea), African black plum (Vitex doniana), River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camadulensis), Winter thorn (Faidherbia albida), Cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and other fruit trees.

Depending on these different soil types, a mini-zoning allowed to delimit 11 blocks occupied by eight selected species.

An initial meeting between the traditional and religious authorities of Mogazang was held to gather all useful information and raise awareness among the population. As a next step, a socio-economic study was carried out in order to understand the potential social, economic and environmental impacts and challenges of the restoration initiative. The elaboration of a map by the community members under the guidance of the advisory team allowed the demarcation of a plot of degraded land (10.74 ha) for restoration. The reforestation initiative aimed at providing firewood, fodder, food products and medicinal plants, among others. The government owns the selected plot, under the supervision of the Executive Bureau for Development of the village. However, it is managed ‘by the people, for the people’.

AFSD has been collaborating with many partners in Southern Africa and at the international level testing and implementing frameworks and strategies aimed at public understanding of the socio-economic and environmental consequences of POPS if not well managed. Innovative new approaches are needed to strengthen Mozambique’s implementation of the Stockholm Convention in a sustainable and integrated way.

The two target groups for this project are women and youth both of which suffer high unemployment. Many of the young people are bored and some show antisocial behaviour. But AFSD believes there is potential to harness and combine the zeal of youth and the wisdom of women in the community. Women are being empowered to take part in decision making and become economically active – some are becoming entrepreneurs.

Communications programmes have a proven record in bringing about behaviour change in health and environmental projects with examples found in fields such as family planning, nutrition, maternal and child health, HIV/AIDs and sexually transmitted diseases. A well-conceived communications programme for the phase-out and avoidance of POPs can be similarly successful.

As part of AFSD’s strategy, a group of more than 100 farmers and others (mainly women and young people) were selected to take part in a workshop to raise awareness about the safe use of chemicals and the impacts of chemicals on health and the environment. A ‘train the trainer’ approach is being used to help maximise outreach potential among the communities.

Time and again, the producers will be trained about GAP(Good Agricultural Practice) and GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) along with motivational classes to go organic and practice every activity in group.

The practice of following a practical organic method is significant to the organic producers, this will minimise time and increase the produces, too. The training of planting, harvesting, packaging, branding, marketing, etc. (under GAP & GMP) will enhance the caliber of the farmers.

Locally grown organic vegetables and crops are a dire need to the consumers nowadays in urban areas. Making such products easily available via farmers market will lure more consumers to visit and buy the products. As a result, the increment of the consumers in the market creates more demand for the local, fresh and organic produces, which shall finally boost the farmers to gear up in the production of more vegetables, fruits, cereals and lentils.

Productive hilly land, surrounded by green forests (habitat of wild animals) and interested farmers to shift to commercial organic farming households are a boon to our initiative. The farming of the regular crops, fruits and vegetables such as maize, millet, buckwheat, cauliflower, tomato, turmeric, jackfruit, mango, etc. will be promoted to grow in volume. Also, some high value crops such as kiwi, avocado, chia seed and moringa shall be introduced in the second phase. These products will be directly linked to the closest city areas through farmers markets once and/or twice a week. Consequently, the direct connection of local farmers’ organic produces to the consumers via farmers markets will establish trust and a positive relationship.