Kwale have played a key role in the success of project initiatives which are being coordinated by WWF in partnership with the government and key players in the district. The government has provided a good environment for implementation of this project and it has benefited from strong partnership. This project is half-way through its implementation. This experience is also contributing to initiatives that project’s will help communities adapt to impacts of climate change (UNDP Kenya 2010). Table 5 provides some further details of this project Table 5: Aspects of Project Implementation Funding Project Initiatives Community Involvement GEF through UNDP The project initiatives cover Regarding forest conservation there is has provided funding. the original Kwale district community participation in forest Matching funding has (now subdivided into Kwale, management. This has been due to the been provided by Kinango and Msambweni), strong project team composed of the key WWF, LAFARGE- and support conservation managing institutions for the three forest Bamburi Cement, activities with a focus on type present in the area. These are: Colobus Trust and the improving livelihoods. There Ford Foundation. This are several project initiatives Kenya Forest Service for the is an evidence of under forest reserves commitment and good the livelihood component Kenya Wildlife Service for the partnership which has including: Large Shimba Hills Nature supported communities Reserve in Kwale in Renewable and National Museums of Kenya for implementing project efficient energy the Kaya forests and activities. The total technologies WWF as a secretariat for the project budget is USD Ecotourism project. 3,090,000 both in kind Beekeeping and cash contributions. aloe and neem The forest landscape restoration initiative GEF through UNDP is products has been successful and communities have providing USD village bank been very instrumental in planting useful 800,000. CSO support trees and shrubs in their lands as a way to Youth group tour reduce pressure on the existing natural guide support for forests. More than 1.5 million seedlings of Shimba Hills and 50 different species have been planted in handicraft. the project area. These included the useful trees and shrubs that are natural in Kwale. Other fast growing commercial tree species have also been grown for income generation and wood fuel. Community participation and awareness has already reduced the unsustainable use of forest products including illegal timber harvesting and incidences of forest fires. Source: UNDP Kenya 2010 Kenya Coastal Development Project
Kwale have played a key role in the success of project initiatives which are being coordinated by WWF in partnership with the government and key players in the district. The government has provided a good environment for implementation of this project and it has benefited from strong partnership. This project is half-way through its implementation. This project’s experience is also contributing to initiatives that will help communities adapt to impacts of climate change (UNDP Kenya 2010). Table 5 provides some further details of this project Table 5: Aspects of Project Implementation Funding Project Initiatives Community Involvement GEF through UNDP has provided funding. Matching funding has been provided by WWF, LAFARGE- Bamburi Cement, Colobus Trust and the Ford Foundation. This is an evidence of commitment and good partnership which has supported communities in Kwale in implementing project activities. The total project budget is USD 3,090,000 both in kind and cash contributions. GEF through UNDP is providing USD 800,000. The project initiatives cover the original Kwale district (now subdivided into Kwale, Kinango and Msambweni), and support conservation activities with a focus on improving livelihoods. There are several project initiatives under the livelihood component including: Renewable and efficient energy technologies Ecotourism Beekeeping aloe and neem products village bank CSO support Youth group tour guide support for Shimba Hills and handicraft. Regarding forest conservation there is community participation in forest management. This has been due to the strong project team composed of the key managing institutions for the three forest type present in the area. These are: Kenya Forest Service for the forest reserves Kenya Wildlife Service for the Large Shimba Hills Nature Reserve National Museums of Kenya for the Kaya forests and WWF as a secretariat for the project. The forest landscape restoration initiative has been successful and communities have been very instrumental in planting useful trees and shrubs in their lands as a way to reduce pressure on the existing natural forests. More than 1.5 million seedlings of 50 different species have been planted in the project area. These included the useful trees and shrubs that are natural in Kwale. Other fast growing commercial tree species have also been grown for income generation and wood fuel. Community participation and awareness has already reduced the unsustainable use of forest products including illegal timber harvesting and incidences of forest fires. Source: UNDP Kenya 2010 Kenya Coastal Development Project