Our Programmes
Research
Our research programme is structured, interdisciplinary, and built around long-term initiatives that investigate specific environmental issues in the field. These initiatives span biodiversity conservation, forest policy and governance, community-managed forests, climate change, livelihoods, food security, agroforestry, landscape management, ecosystem restoration, nature-based solutions, sustainable development, and more. We design our research to generate new knowledge while engaging communities in data collection, citizen science, integrated solutions, and innovative participatory applied research.
Sustainable Community Development
We all know that when development projects are led by communities, participatory and inclusive, these projects deliver more than just benefits. Indigenous People and Local Communities (IP&LCs) are central to sustainable development in Africa. Community-led projects build long-term resilience, reinforce cultural identity and strengthen local governance. Our approach is rooted in community-based participation to ensure that IP&LCs are not passive recipients of external initiatives and decision-making. We make sure they are included in decision-making, planning, project design, and the management of projects that shape their lives. In effect, we work with different stakeholders to create integrated systems of support, promoting meaningful participation, collaboration and lasting impact. This empowers communities in the design and implementation of their sustainable community development projects based on their own needs.
Community Engagement
Community engagement is at the core of our work with African communities. Our approach is to build trust, encourage genuine empowerment and foster active participation. This empowers communities to drive initiatives and participate in decision-making that brings meaningful impact while addressing communities need. We work alongside local authorities, civil society organisations, NGOs, government authorities, and other stakeholders to engage local communities by supporting them to improve their livelihoods, well-being, and build resilience.
Support for Education & Healthcare
Many African rural and forest communities remain structurally cut off from basic services like education, healthcare and water that should be fundamental. African communities, particularly those living in remote forest regions, continue to face severe obstruction to essential services that are fundamental to human wellbeing. Despite healthcare and education being universal basic needs, countless families in these regions remain without access to these services due to poor road networks, limited resources, geographic isolation, and lack of critical infrastructures.
The lack of access and basic infrastructure directly affects their ability to achieve a good standard of living, basic quality education and reliable medical or preventive care. Our commitment is to help close this gap, pledging to support these communities whilst ensuring that they have access to free basic education and good preventive or reliable healthcare. By empowering communities with essential education and reliable healthcare, we strengthen the wellbeing of an entire community.
Tree Planting & Restoration
Tree planting is far more than an act of ecosystem restoration. It is a strategic investment in the long-term health and resilience of our planet. Tree planting supports landscape restoration, rich biodiversity, stabilizes fragile landscapes to prevent landslides, and strengthens ecological functions that protect communities from severe flooding, landslides and land degradation. Our initiative is grounded in scientific research and meaningful community engagement. By combining evidence-based practices with local knowledge, we aim to create long-lasting impacts that boost climate resilience and promote sustainable forest management. This approach will ensure communities have a thriving landscape restoration program, improve the quality of their soil, enhance carbon sequestration that can be used as trade-offs, and increase wildlife. All of which will provide essential benefits for the future.
