LWF was not left out as one of the organizations which have been actively involved in the Implementation of TRI in the GEF6 Cycle Funded by FAO as the global GEF6 Implementing team come together in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, and the stage was set for a global convergence for The Restoration Initiative’s (TRI) 5th Global Learning Workshop from Nov 6th to 10th, 2023. With a theme centered on cross-learning, partnerships, and scaling up TRI, the which also focused on innovation and collaboration. Drawing together nine dynamic Asian and African nations (Cameroon, CAR, China, DRC, Guinea Bissau, Pakistan, Sao Tome and Principe, Kenya, Tanzania) and three Global Environment Facility agencies – the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Environment Program (UNEP) – in working to overcome existing barriers to restoration and restore degraded landscapes at scale in support of the Bonn Challenge
This workshop stood as a testament to TRI’s commitment to continuous learning, fostering collaboration between ground-level project teams and global support organizations.
Objectives that Transformed Realities
The five-day workshop unfolded with three core objectives:
- Reinforcing Identity and Sustainability: Participants delved into challenges, experiences, and learned lessons from TRI projects. The outcome? Tangible recommendations to upscale project impacts and foster sustainability.
- Amplifying Visibility and Collaboration: From identifying avenues for global impact to crafting strategies echoing TRI’s success, the workshop aimed to amplify TRI’s presence both nationally and globally.
- Empowering Capacity and Growth: Through knowledge sharing and cross-fertilization, national TRI project teams left equipped with enhanced skills, setting the stage for TRI’s robust future.
Harvesting Insights, Cultivating Inspiration
Diverse landscapes and innovative strategies emerged as the workshop unveiled its treasures:
Kenya ASAL:showed people how restoration was made simple with great impact to the pastoral communities through construction of semicircular bunds and the vallerani teachnolgy for Rangeland restoration which other ASAL countries like Tanzania said they will copy and adopt.
Guinea Bissau: Pioneering mangrove restoration alongside rice cultivation, offering a beacon for coastal restoration.
Cameroon:Leveraging bamboo for commercialization, igniting incentives for restoration efforts.
Sao Tome and Principe: Uniting private partners and the central bank for green projects, offering Kenya a potential collaboration model.
Pakistan: Innovations in Chilgoza nuts and modern tools for forest restoration, setting new paradigms for Kenya’s endeavors.
China:Surpassing TRI targets through substantial government funding, advocating for conservation education adaptable for academic institutions in Kenya.
Echoes of Collaboration and Promise
A hub of collective knowledge and a lighthouse for a more environmentally friendly future, the 5th Global Learning Workshop was more than just a gathering of people. Brian Otieno, speaking on behalf of Laikipia Wildlife Forum, promises to incorporate these newfound insights into their restoration efforts, adding to TRI’s knowledge base and forming new partnerships that result from teamwork.
