Women-Led Community Forest Conservation Initiative
In Mau Forest Ecosystem, Narok County,Kenya
The Story
This project brings together ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, advocacy, and livelihood support to benefit both the environment and women in local communities. Restoration efforts help recover biodiversity and improve essential ecosystem services like water, soil, and air quality, while encouraging women to take active roles in environmental decision-making.
Through agroforestry, women gain new income sources from timber and fodder, strengthen their farming skills, and build resilience to climate change. Advocacy work empowers women to raise their voices, influence policies, and drive social change within their communities.
At the same time, livelihood initiatives improve living standards and expand women’s leadership and participation in households, networks, and local institutions—creating lasting environmental and economic impact.
Quick Facts
Goal
Strengthen women’s economic empowerment, technical knowledge, and participation in forest conservation and sustainable land management, enabling them to play an active role in restoring the Mau Forest ecosystem while improving livelihoods and resilience.
Location
Kenya (Narok County – Maasai Mau Forest Complex)
Project Duration
January 2024 – December 2028
Approach
A women-led forest conservation and agroforestry initiative integrating restoration, nursery enterprises, sustainable livelihoods, and advocacy to reduce pressure on forest resources while strengthening women’s agency and income.
Metrics
- 259 women supported through income-generating activities
- 1,099 women engaged in education and capacity development
- Community nurseries established and producing diverse seedlings
- Women participating in restoration, agroforestry, and conservation efforts
- Households supported with energy-efficient cookstoves
Women’s Empowerment Focus
- Increased income and asset ownership through nursery enterprises and agroforestry
- Strengthened technical knowledge in restoration, sustainable agriculture, and eco-entrepreneurship
- Enhanced participation in forest conservation and value chains
- Improved decision-making power at household and community levels
- Reduced reliance on forest extraction through alternative livelihoods
W+ Domains Applied
- Income & Assets
- Education & Knowledge
Standards & Certification
W+ Standard – Income & Assets and Education & Knowledge Domains
Implementation Partners
Women in Water and Natural Resources Conservation (WWANC)
Vumbuzi Impact Africa Foundation (VIA)
What We Did
Supported the establishment and strengthening of women-led conservation and agroforestry groups, providing platforms for collective action, peer learning, and community-based natural resource management.
Strengthened women’s participation and leadership in forest conservation and restoration activities within the Mau Forest ecosystem, including nursery management, agroforestry, and community decision-making processes.
Delivered targeted capacity development on sustainable land management, agroforestry, eco-entrepreneurship, environmental conservation, and energy-efficient technologies.
In the Field
Behind the scenes of projects directly from the technical experts on the ground.
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