Project detail

Description

The Ecosystem Grants Project with support from IUCN Netherlands (Euro 40,000). Empowerment of forest adjacent communities to conserve and use forests sustainably in Kenya (2008-2009).

Key Objectives and Focus Areas:

1. Empowerment of Communities:

   • The core objective of the project was to empower local communities living adjacent to forests by involving them in the active management and sustainable use of forest resources. These communities often rely heavily on forests for their livelihoods, through activities like firewood collection, timber harvesting, and non-timber forest product gathering.
   • The project aimed to strengthen the capacity of these communities in conservation practices and sustainable resource management.

2. Sustainable Forest Use:

   • The project sought to promote the sustainable use of forest resources by educating local communities on how to exploit these resources without depleting them. This includes practicing sustainable logging methods, promoting agroforestry, and encouraging alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on forests.
   • The initiative also worked to reduce illegal activities, such as illegal logging and poaching, by creating awareness and providing training on legal alternatives.

3. Conservation Strategies:

   • Conservation strategies included introducing practices like controlled grazing, forest regeneration, and soil conservation techniques. Additionally, the project focused on promoting biodiversity conservation within forests and surrounding landscapes to support ecosystem services, such as water retention and carbon sequestration.
   • Through the engagement of local communities, the project emphasized the importance of protecting critical ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots in the area.

4. Capacity Building and Awareness:

   • One of the key components of the project was capacity-building activities aimed at enhancing the knowledge and skills of local communities. This included organizing training workshops, awareness campaigns, and community meetings to raise awareness about the importance of forests and their role in maintaining ecosystem health.
   • Additionally, the project worked to improve local governance structures related to forest management and empower communities to participate in decision-making processes regarding forest policies and practices.

5. Sustainability of the Project:

   • To ensure long-term sustainability, the project focused on developing and supporting community-based organizations that could continue to advocate for and manage forest conservation efforts after the project’s completion.
   • The project also worked on creating partnerships between local communities, government bodies, and conservation organizations to ensure that sustainable forest management practices were incorporated into national and local policies.

Achievements and Impact:

• The project contributed to the improved management of several key forest areas in Kenya and helped establish sustainable practices that were later adopted by neighboring regions.
• Local communities saw an increase in their knowledge and understanding of conservation practices and were empowered to take ownership of the conservation of their natural resources.
• In the long term, the initiative helped improve the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities by introducing alternative livelihoods and promoting more sustainable ways of utilizing forest resources.