PROGREEN Champions Landscapes for a Livable Planet at the Global Landscapes Forum, Nairobi

Today, Sub-Saharan Africa's landscapes are some of the most threatened on the planet. About 20% of the continent's land is degraded. PROGREEN delivers investments and promotes knowledge activities in support of landscape restoration and rural resilience globally, with a majority-African portfolio. 

On October 11-12, PROGREEN co-sponsored the World Bank's "Landscapes for a Livable Planet" pavilion at the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Nairobi. In partnership with the FOLUR Impact Program, the World Bank pavilion served as an opportunity for the PROGREEN team to convene partners, share our latest knowledge products, and co-host side events. 

The PROGREEN team organized a side event, titled "Unlocking Partnerships for Restoration: Insights from PROGREEN Landscape Programs in Sub-Saharan Africa," which presented learnings and best practices from three PROGREEN-supported landscapes programs in Rwanda, Ghana, and Ethiopia. The panel discussion explored how these projects engage communities, including vulnerable groups, and deliver impact.  Bookending the presentations and panel discussion were opening remarks from Ulrika Akesson from the Swedish International Development Agency and closing reflections from Melyn Abisa from Youth4Nature. The side event also launched a new World Bank-led e-learning initiative on integrated land use planning. 

Event format:   

5 mins – opening remarks by Ulrika Åkesson, Lead Policy Specialist on Environment and Climate Change, Swedish International Development Agency 

25 mins –  landscape program presentations 

- Rwanda – Hisham Osman, Senior Environmental Engineer, World Bank 

- Ghana – Kingsley Amoaka, GLRSSMP 

- Ethiopia – Mikre Adane Engida, Watershed Management Specialist, Gambella SLMP/RLLP PCU, Ethiopia

20 mins – panel discussion, moderated by M. Najeeb Khan, Analyst, World Bank 

10 mins – closing reflections from Melyn Abisa, INUKA Project Coordinator, Youth4Nature 

PROGREEN is proud to partner with youth leaders and include their voices in landscape restoration efforts. Hear what Melyn Abisa had to say on the importance of including youth voices.