Forest and landscapes Restoration: Voices from the Communities

This collection of farmer stories explores how women, men, and youth in Makueni and Taita Taveta Counties are engaging in forest and landscape restoration whose outcomes were supported by the Delivering nature-based solution outcomes by addressing policy, institutional and monitoring gaps in forest and landscape restoration project which was funded by UK PACT (Partnering for Accelerated Climate Transitions) and implemented by CIFOR-ICRAF in partnership with the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations-Kenya (FAO), and implemented in Makueni and Taita Taveta Counties. The project addressed key policy, institutional, and monitoring gaps in restoration while promoting gender-transformative and socially inclusive approaches. By strengthening community forest associations (CFAs), building local capacity, and supporting evidence-based decision-making, it contributed to more resilient landscapes, improved livelihoods, and Kenya’s climate and restoration commitments.

The stories highlight personal experiences, drawing from project activities such as community dialogues about how gender roles shape access to resources, decision making, and participation in restoration, as well as trainings and household “vision journey” exercises. These approaches have helped break down barriers, strengthen mutual understanding, and promote more inclusive and equitable participation in restoration. The stories show how training and inclusive practices are influencing household dynamics, encouraging women and men to make decisions as partners, strengthening community forest associations, and shaping local livelihoods, offering insight into the practical and social changes that support more equitable and sustainable land management.

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This works is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Authors

Wakaba, D.,Mbogholi, E.,Mnyika, C.,Muthuri, S.,Kilungya, S.,Musyoki, M.,Trautman, S.,Anyango, E.,Crossland, M.,Winowiecki, L.A.

Publication year

2025