Kenya and Australia join forces to Restore Degraded Landscapes in 287M ‘Regreening for the Future’ Project
In picture, representatives from organizations during the launch of the 'Regreening for the Future' initiative, in Nairobi.
By Aoma Keziah,
Kenya’s efforts in land restoration received a significant enhancement today the launch of the ‘Regreening for the Future’ initiative, backed by an AUD 3.5 million (KSH 287 million) funding from the Australian Government. This project aims to implement extensive regreening and rehabilitation initiatives throughout Kenya, promoting environmental sustainability while fostering resilience within local communities.
Supported through the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), this unites various reputable institutions, including World Vision Australia, World Vision Kenya, KEFRI, CIFOR-ICRAF, the University of Nairobi, and the United Nations University. Together, these organizations will focus on conducting research and implementing community-centered strategies designed to revitalize degraded landscapes and improve livelihoods in affected areas.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Jane Njuguna, Director of KEFRI, noted that climate change is having a global impact, and Kenya is no exception, with its effects being felt across all sectors of social and economic development.
“The ‘Regreening for the Future’ initiative builds on long-standing partnerships with institutions and researchers in both Australia and Eastern Africa. This project will empower farmers and researchers with the knowledge and tools necessary for developing sustainable regreening strategies that are adaptable to the evolving climate. It will also investigate policies and support structures that enable communities to restore degraded landscapes, enhance food security, and build resilience against climate change,” she said.
In addition, the KEFRI Director continued to say that this significant initiative aligns with Kenya’s government goals of restoring 10.6 million hectares of degraded land and increasing tree cover to 32% by 2032, as part of the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR 1000) and the Bonn Challenge.
The ‘Regreening for the Future’ project will prioritize innovative restoration methods alongside sustainable agroforestry practices and climate adaptation techniques. By engaging communities holistically alongside policymakers and researchers the initiative seeks to develop scalable solutions aimed at restoring compromised lands.
Chief Executive of the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research Professor Wendy Umberger, said that agricultural challenges in Africa and Australia are often shared, and Australia’s agricultural innovation system has valuable expertise that can benefit the African context.
“We recognise the immense knowledge that Africa offers in this space. As climate change intensifies land degradation, community-led regreening efforts must be climate-ready. The ‘Regreening for the Future’ project is a direct investment in the people farmers, scientists, and policymakers who are key to driving these changes. This initiative is part of a broader commitment from the Australian Government through ACIAR to support agricultural research and capacity-building in Africa,” she remarked.
Engaging local communities is focal to this program; activities such as tree planting, soil conservation efforts, and sustainable land management are key components. The collaboration between indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary scientific practices is intended to empower local residents to take charge of restoration processes and enhance their economic prospects.
National Director of World Vision Kenya, Gilbert Kamanga, highlighted World Vision Kenya’s committed to restoring landscapes and building resilient communities to ensure a sustainable future for children, families, and communities.
“ The ‘Regreening for the Future’ project is a timely and transformative initiative that will empower farmers and communities with the knowledge, tools, and policy support needed to restore degraded ecosystems and enhance food security. We are grateful for the partnership with the Australian Government, World Vision Australia, CIFOR-ICRAF and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) as we work together to empower communities to sustain a greener, more resilient future,” he emphasized.
As climate change exacerbates challenges related to land degradation, such initiatives could offer viable solutions conducive to bolstering ecosystem resilience as well as ensuring food security among rural communities.
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