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Regreening for the Future: A Transformative Step in Climate Adaptation in East Africa
Gerald Kombo
February 25, 2025
On February 25, 2025, stakeholders from across the environmental, academic, and diplomatic sectors gathered at Eka Hotel, Nairobi, to witness the launch of the Regreening for the Future Project: Integrating Climate Change Adaptation Pathways into Community-Led Regreening in East Africa.
The event was spearheaded by World Vision Kenya and World Vision Australia, with support from CIFOR-ICRAF, the United Nations University, the University of Nairobi, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR), the Australian High Commission, and KEFRI. This initiative seeks to integrate climate change adaptation pathways into community-led regreening efforts, ensuring sustainable ecosystems and resilient livelihoods.
CIFOR-ICRAF (Prof. Catherine Muthuri)
United Nations University (Dr. Saskia Werners)
University of Nairobi (Prof. Dan Olago)
World Vision Australia (Ms. Sarah McKenzie)
World Vision Kenya (Mr. Gilbert Kamanga, National Director)
Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) (Prof. Wendy Umberger, CEO, virtual address)
Australian High Commission (Christopher Ellinger, Chargé d’Affaires)
The official launch speech was delivered by Dr. Jane Njuguna, Director of KEFRI, followed by a group photo session and refreshments.
Opening Session: Faith, Purpose, and Vision
A Prayerful Beginning
A prayer led by World Vision Kenya, highlighting the organization's faith-based approach:
As World Vision, we always start our programs with prayer because we believe that God is the one who guides us and has brought us this far.
A reading from Joshua 21:43-45 emphasized God's faithfulness in fulfilling promises:
The Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
The prayer called for divine guidance over the project, committing every speaker, participant, and organization involved to God’s will in restoring degraded landscapes.
Gilbert Kamanga, National Director, World Vision Kenya, set the tone for the day, urging stakeholders to move beyond the event and focus on actionable impact:
The launch is happening in this room, but the real work is outside. Let’s keep working together to achieve what we have set out to do.
Project Highlights: Evidence-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience
CIFOR-ICRAF: The Science of Trees
Prof. Catherine Muthuri, Kenya Country Director, CIFOR-ICRAF, emphasized the scientific foundation of regreening efforts:
CIFOR-ICRAF is about providing evidence-based solutions using trees. Our entry point is trees, and this project has a big component of tree-based restoration."
The Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there. The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.
She noted CIFOR-ICRAF’s longstanding partnership with ACIAR and Australia, dating back to 2011, which has supported agroforestry, sustainable land management, and research-led climate adaptation.
United Nations University: Climate Adaptation Pathways
Dr. Saskia Werners, United Nations University, introduced the concept of climate adaptation pathways:
This project is not just about regreening landscapes; it’s about building lasting relationships between people. Climate adaptation pathways help us plan for uncertainty, ensuring communities are prepared for future climate challenges.
She emphasized knowledge-sharing, stressing that collaboration between institutions, governments, and communities is key to long-term sustainability.
University of Nairobi: Research into Action
Prof. Dan Olago, University of Nairobi, highlighted the role of academia in climate resilience:
At the Institute for Climate Change and Adaptation, we focus on research-to-action initiatives. This project aligns well with our mission to provide climate solutions that address the unique challenges faced by communities in Kenya and beyond.
He noted that the University of Nairobi will play a central role in climate modeling, adaptation research, and community training, ensuring data-driven decision-making in the project.
International Support: The Australian Perspective
ACIAR: An Investment in People and Landscapes
In a virtual address, Prof. Wendy Umberger, CEO of ACIAR, reaffirmed Australia’s commitment to supporting climate resilience through science, partnerships, and community engagement:
Community regreening projects must be climate-ready. This project is not only an investment in research but in people and landscapes.
She emphasized ACIAR’s role in funding research-driven solutions and ensuring that women’s social inclusion and financial empowerment remain central to climate adaptation efforts.
Australian High Commission: A 60-Year Partnership with Kenya
Christopher Ellinger, Chargé d’Affaires, Australian High Commission, celebrated the 60-year diplomatic relationship between Australia and Kenya, emphasizing:
Our partnerships are stronger than ever. The Regreening for the Future Project reflects Australia’s ongoing commitment to fostering science-driven approaches to land restoration, food security, and economic resilience.
He noted that Australia is keen to learn from Africa’s agricultural and climate innovation, fostering mutual knowledge exchange between the two regions.
The Official Launch: A Call to Action
Dr. Jane Njuguna, Director of KEFRI, officially launched the project, stressing Kenya’s urgent need for land restoration:
Kenya faces a significant challenge, with 61% of our landmass experiencing degradation. Through this project, we aim to develop scalable innovations that will restore landscapes and support livelihoods across the country.
She outlined KEFRI’s commitment to research-driven solutions, ensuring policy alignment and stakeholder engagement in reforestation efforts.
The launch was followed by a group photo session and refreshments, marking the beginning of an ambitious multi-stakeholder collaboration.
Looking Ahead: Research for Impact, Not Just Academics
Sarah McKenzie, World Vision Australia, closed the event with a powerful message:
This is not a research project for academic rigor—it is research for impact. Our goal is to empower communities to lead their own regreening efforts, ensuring that environmental restoration is not just a policy but a lived reality.
She emphasized that community engagement, equitable partnerships, and sustainable adaptation strategies will drive the success of the project.
Conclusion: A United Front for Climate Action
The Regreening for the Future Project marks a significant milestone in Kenya’s climate adaptation journey. With the backing of scientific institutions, international development partners, and community stakeholders, the project is poised to make lasting environmental and social impacts.
Key Takeaways:
Faith, science, and collaboration are central to sustainable regreening.
Evidence-based solutions and community-led adaptation strategies ensure long-term impact.
Australia-Kenya partnerships continue to drive climate innovation.
Scaling up restoration efforts across Kenya’s 47 counties will be crucial in meeting national climate goals.
As the project moves forward, it will not only transform landscapes but also build climate-resilient communities, ensuring that future generations inherit a greener, more sustainable East Africa.