We are delighted to announce that Laikipia Wildlife Forum (LWF) has successfully secured funding from People Powered to initiate an impactful climate resilience project in Laikipia County. This project represents a significant stride in our ongoing mission to empower local communities and foster sustainable environmental practices.
In line with our commitment to community engagement and capacity building, LWF staff have undergone rigorous training in various participatory methods, including citizen’s assemblies, participatory policy making, legislative theatres, and participatory budgeting. These methodologies will enable us to effectively involve community members in decision-making processes and ensure their voices are central to the project’s activities.
The project is scheduled to run for one year, from April 2024 to April 2025, encompassing a range of activities aimed at enhancing the capacity of target groups in Laikipia County. Drawing from our detailed work plans, we are excited to highlight some key activities that will be undertaken:
Awareness Workshops: We will conduct workshops to raise awareness among Ward Development Committees (WDCs) and community members about climate change and its impacts on the local environment, livelihoods, and public health. These workshops will emphasize the importance of local climate action and the role of WDCs in shaping climate policies.
Comprehensive Training: Representatives from all 15 wards in Laikipia County will receive comprehensive training on climate policy development. This will include identifying climate challenges, conducting vulnerability assessments, and formulating adaptation and mitigation strategies. Additionally, training will cover project management, monitoring and evaluation, and fundraising techniques to support the implementation of climate initiatives.
Participatory Planning Sessions: LWF will facilitate participatory planning sessions in three wards, Ngobit, Nanyuki and Mukogodo East, encouraging inclusive discussions on climate challenges and identifying priority areas for action. WDCs from these wards, alongside community leaders and representatives from local organizations, will collaboratively develop Ward Development Plans, crucial for leveraging funds from the County Government through the Financing Locally-Led Climate Action (FLLoCa) program.
Advocacy for Policy Adoption: We will work with WDCs to advocate for the adoption and implementation of climate-resilient policies at the county level, particularly the rainwater harvesting policy. This will involve organizing stakeholder meetings, policy dialogues, and public awareness campaigns to generate support for the proposed policy. Additionally, we will engage a consultant to support the WDCs in generating a Policy Brief with recommendations for presentation in the County Assembly.
The main outcome of this project will be if the County Government of Laikipia adopts the rainwater harvesting policy for Laikipia County. This policy will play a pivotal role in mitigating the effects of climate change and promoting sustainable water management practices, ultimately benefiting local communities and ecosystems.
By employing citizen’s assemblies and partnering closely with duty bearers from the County Government of Laikipia, government agencies and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Laikipia, we aim to enhance climate awareness and lobby for the implementation of climate-resilient policies and practices. Together, we can build a more resilient future for Laikipia County, ensuring the well-being of both present and future generations.
We are excited to embark on this journey and extend our heartfelt gratitude to People Powered for their support in making this project a reality. Stay tuned for updates as we work towards a more sustainable and climate-resilient Laikipia County!
