Combating Land Degradation in Western Kenya: Climate-Smart Agroecological Solutions for Sustainable Farming

Recent studies suggest that 12-15% of the Kenya’s total land area is suffering from severe to very severe degradation. Very densely populated Western Kenya is one of the hotspots where the rate of landscape degradation is rapidly increasing, with soils lost on average 0.5 t ha per year in 2017 compared to 0.3 t ha per year in 1995. This in turn leads to low and inadequate food supply and farm incomes. Unpredictable periods of drought and variable rainfall due to climate change are further exacerbating the situation. The solution provided by agroecological methods is to reverse land degradation and provide long-term sustainable methods of soil management as well as new income streams for farmers. Three climate-smart solutions have been assessed and promoted by the GIZ-supported Global Programme “ProSoil”: vermicomposting, conservation agriculture, and agroforestry. The solutions can be aligned or applied separately to meet individual farmers’ needs.

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Sustainable Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Management as an integrated solution for landscape restoration and livelihood improvement

In the Boeny region of Madagascar, communities are facing landscape degradation due to unsustainable agricultural practices (slash-and-burn agriculture, deforestation etc.) and repetitive bush fires. The consequences for agricultural production are serious, posing a dilemma between conserving forests as a home to endangered species and ensuring food security through agricultural expansion. On top, climate change poses additional challenges to the grazing system of around 70 percent of Malagasy households being involved in raising livestock. Traditional spatial approaches separating conservation and production have proven inadequate. The concept of “Aménagement Agro-Sylvo-Pastoral Durable” (ASPD; sustainable agro-sylvo-pastoral management) has been developed with the objective to balance use of space. By combining agriculture, forestry, and livestock planning to enhance productivity while preserving natural resources, ASPD offers an integrated solution, with a focus on the adoption of climate-smart pasture management.

A stepwise approach to advancing the agroecological transition in Ethiopia

The Ethiopian Highlands face serious land degradation caused by fragile soils, heavy rainfall, frequent tillage, poor nutrient recycling, inappropriate fertiliser use, overgrazing and deforestation. As soils become unproductive, smallholder farmers lose income and may abandon their land. Reversing degradation is therefore essential for livelihoods and agricultural productivity. The stepwise approach to advancing agroecological transition offers a sustainable pathway, shifting from conventional to ecosystem-based farming systems. Adapted for Ethiopia by the ProSoil programme as well as the embedded multi-donor action “ProSilience: Enhancing soils and agroecology for resilient agri-food systems in Sub-Saharan Africa”, the approach follows this process: Quick Win technologies to raise yields, measures to reduce nutrient and biomass losses, tools to improve resource-use efficiency, and integration at watershed level. By 2024, the approach reached over 784,500 farmers in 235 districts.

The Huemul Trail: An example of conservation, social connection, and resilience in Cerro Castillo National Park

“La Senda del Huemul” is a conservation and environmental education initiative implemented in Cerro Castillo National Park (Aysén Region, Chile) with the aim of raising awareness of the critical situation of the huemul (Hippocamelus bisulcus), an endemic and endangered deer species, and to strengthen the link between local communities and the protected area. This project is the result of joint work between local park rangers, local organizations, the Advisory Council, and other relevant actors involved in the management of the National Park.

The trail was designed as a two-day trekking route that covers a significant section of the park, incorporating interpretive components and experiential activities so that participants can understand the threats facing the huemul, its biology, its habitat, and the importance of its conservation in relation to the Patagonian forests, meadows, and hills that sustain it. 

Through a recreational activity, it is possible to directly help protect the huemul.

Multistakeholder Partnerships for Biodiversity-Based Value Chains in Kenya

Multistakeholder partnerships (MSPs) are collaborations in which actors from at least three distinct sectors work together toward shared development goals. MSPs enable partners to combine knowledge, resources, technologies, and networks, allowing more integrated responses to challenges—such as supporting biodiversity-based value chains and adaptation to climate change—that no single actor can address alone. Gums and resins value chains in Marsabit County were selected to generate additional income for pastoralist communities in dryland areas. This decision was based on the following factors:

Marsabit County had developed a gums and resins strategy awaiting validation.
An organized cooperative already existed and could serve as a multiplier.
Private sector actors confirmed significant untapped potential for biodiversity valorization.
The national trust “IPLCs of Kenya” was established to work on biodiversity-related issues.
The Wildlife Research and Training Institute was an ideal partner for developing training modules.

FORMULATION OF THE FIRST MASTER PLAN FOR THE DORSAL DE NASCA NATIONAL RESERVE WITH FISHER ASSOCIATIONS' SUPPORT

The RNDN, created in 2021, is the largest Natural Protected Area in Peru (6,239,205.75 ha) and the only one focused exclusively on marine ecosystems. Located 105 km off the coast of Ica, it is a vital source of resources like giant squid, sharks, and flying fish eggs for fishers from Paita, Pisco, Marcona, and Matarani. Its creation was an unprecedented multisectoral process that involved various stakeholders and governmental institutions. In 2022, the San Andres Artisanal Fishers Syndicate led the RNDN management committee, and in 2023 the Master Plan’s terms of reference were approved. The first Master Plan was developed collaboratively with fishing organizations and stakeholders, setting strategies for the conservation and sustainable use of natural and cultural resources. This plan integrates commitments to protect marine species, including the “Blue Five” (in this case whales, sharks, turtles and dolphins), and recognizes the identity and knowledge of artisanal fishers as part of the sociocultural value of the NPA.

Training skills for successful Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) contract negotiations

The concept of legally binding contracts dates back over 4,000 years. It is based on well-established principles and practices in all legal systems on the planet. However, news challenges arise from the fact that the emerging frameworks to implement the Nagoya Protocol on Access to Genetic Resources and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) adds atypical elements that have never before been addressed by contract law. An ABS contract is an agreement between governments, indigenous peoples and local communities (IPLCs), researchers and / or companies regarding access to and use of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge. The main purpose is to ensure the sharing of benefits arising from subsequent use, application and commercialization. Although every ABS contract is unique in its benefit-sharing section, it nevertheless shares certain characteristics with ordinary contracts. The training aims at legal and technical experts dealing with biodiversity, research and development and commercial use of genetic resources.

Waste management and recycling by youth in Machakos County.

Kenya faces significant challenges in managing its increasing volume of waste, leading to environmental and health problems. Poor infrastructure, lack of public awareness, and insufficient funding hinder effective collection, processing, and disposal of waste, contributing to pollution and disease transmission.

Here’s a more detailed look at the waste management issues we intend to address;

1. Inadequate Infrastructure and Resources:

Lack of Sanitary facilities
Insufficient Collection Systems:
Limited Processing Facilities:

Many areas rely on poorly managed sanitation facilities posing significant environmental and health risks.

A large portion of waste is not collected, leading to accumulation in streets and homes, especially in urban areas.

There are insufficient facilities for recycling, composting, or other waste management methods.

2. Public Awareness and Participation:

Lack of Education:
Low Social Involvement:

Insufficient public education on proper waste management practices,

From Natural banana Fibre to Paper: A Practical Solution Centred on Equipment Design for Small Scale Production

This solution is part of the Sparsa Solution, which is a Nepali non-profit company that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads. These pads feature an absorbent core made from banana fibre, also processed by Sparsa.

The focus of this solution is the transformation of cellulosic fibres (in our case banana fibre) into paper, using low-tech machinery suitable for small-scale production (up to 20 kg per day). The process is entirely thermo-mechanical, requiring no chemical additives, and can be adapted for other types of cellulosic fibres as well.

As part of this open-source approach, we will share:

3D models of all equipment and machines
Explanations of how they work, and the safety measures involved
Guidelines for factory organization and daily operations
Details of our self-designed fresh and wastewater systems
A complete layout of the factory

This solution is designed to be practical, replicable, and accessible for communities aiming to create sustainable, fibre-based products using locally available resources.

The RAÍCES programme in Costa Rica: Promoting economic empowerment and biodiversity conservation through Indigenous-led sustainable tourism

Indigenous peoples living near protected areas in Costa Rica have limited access to livelihood opportunities, while logging, poaching, and other challenges have threatened biodiversity in the country. Indigenous entrepreneurship in sustainable tourism can generate local income and, at the same time, contribute to biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage protection. However, restricted access to credit, particularly among Indigenous women, prevents many from engaging in this sector.

The Government of Costa Rica, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched RAÍCES — a pioneering startup incubator that provides Indigenous-led sustainable tourism businesses with non-refundable seed capital, capacity building, and support to develop nature-positive business models.

RAÍCES has mobilized USD 1,947,019.48 to support 40 Indigenous-led businesses (64% of them led by women), contributing to the sustainable management of 2,222 hectares of forest.

Community-led sustainable tourism in Hon Yen Island, Viet Nam: conserving reefs, supporting livelihoods, and empowering women

In Hon Yen Island, Viet Nam, 12.7 ha of biodiverse coral reefs and 6.5 ha of seagrass-algal beds provide habitat for numerous marine species, sustaining the livelihoods of fishing and tourism communities. The island is known for its vibrant socio-cultural landscape, with rituals, crafts, and other traditional practices. However, aquaculture waste, unregulated tourism, and other challenges have threatened local biodiversity, while women and youth face barriers to work in tourism and marine management.

Amid this situation, the Women’s Unions of Dak Lak province and An Hoa Hai commune, UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), the GEF Small Grants Program (SGP), and other partners supported the establishment of the Hon Yen Service and Ecology Cooperative (Eco-Coop).

Eco-Coop empowers local women and youth in tourism, organizes community-led ecotours, and promotes biodiversity conservation initiatives. By 2025, these tours attracted thousands of visitors, supporting the livelihoods of 80 individuals.

Villavicencio Nature Reserve: a story of commitment and conservation on private land (Mendoza, Argentina)

In 1999, Danone acquired the Villavicencio mineral water brand and ownership of 64,000 hectares of land where the product originates. In line with the company’s objectives, it was voluntarily decided to dedicate this territory to private conservation.

Thus, in 2000, the Villavicencio Nature Reserve was created, the only privately managed reserve in the province.

As a food company, it was limited in its ability to carry out specific conservation actions. It was decided to conduct a pilot test with an external operator to see if it was feasible to generate tourism services. The test was positive. A business plan was developed and presented internally to the company, approved, and the Villavicencio Foundation was created in 2014 to professionalize and specialize the management of the area.

This allowed for progress on various projects and improved sustainability, with the challenge of sustaining the management and conservation costs of the protected natural area.

More than four million hectares protected, a sea of opportunities for conservation in the Colombian Pacific region

The Malpelo Fauna and Flora Sanctuary is a marine treasure covering 4.8 million hectares, located 490 km off the Colombian coast. But protecting such a vast area presents major challenges, especially when resources for its management are limited. This is where collaboration makes a difference! Thanks to relationships with various key players involved in managing the protected area, especially the strategic alliance with the Biodiversity Conservation Colombia Foundation through its Silky project, support is provided to the Malpelo SFF park rangers in their daily work of navigating Colombian waters to monitor and control illegal and illicit fishing, collect solid waste, conduct research and monitoring, and ensure responsible ecotourism. The results are amazing! Since 2018, these pressures have been reduced, promoting the increase of marine populations that are key to the health of the ecosystems of the Tropical Western Pacific.