Greening Mua Environmental Initiative (GMEI)

Evidence of Impact of the GMEI Intervention

Background

Greening Mua Environmental Initiative (GMEI) is a women and youth led Community Based Organization (CBO) that is rolling out climate action initiatives in Mua Hills Ridge, Machakos County, Kenya. The Mua Hills Ridge is a crescent-shaped mountain situated about 50 Kms East of Nairobi with an elevation of about 2,000 meters above sea level and spans 358.19 square kilometers located in Machakos Town, Mavoko and Kathiani sub-counties in Machakos County.

Historically, the region was well-forested, but in recent years, environmental degradation has intensified due to societal changes. Widespread deforestation has led to a significant reduction in access to clean and sufficient water, leaving the community vulnerable to consuming contaminated water, which poses a threat to public health and overall well-being. Additionally, the area's economic stability has been compromised, as declining household incomes largely dependent on agriculture are further strained by the challenges of water scarcity, negatively impacting crop yields and livelihoods.

This overarching problem led to the birth of the GMEI Organization to combat the problems faced in this area.

The Goal

The goal of the project is to enhance sustainable development amongcommunities through climate intervention. This goal is anchored in two objectives:

  1. Increase forest cover by planting 10 million trees by December 2025, and
  2. Create sustainable livelihood opportunities for community members by December 2025 through women and youth groups.

GMEI Sub-Programs

To effectivelytranslate these objectives into actionable initiatives, five sub-programs wereestablished, including:

Reforestation Initiative

Aim: This program aims to plant 10 million trees by December 2025
GMEI Role: Provide training on nursery management to individuals, schools, and community groups; and provide tree seedlings.

Agroforestry Initiative

Goal: Demonstrate and train farmers in the landscape approach
Activities: Conduct research on optimal intercropping, promote cultivation of fruit trees, and introduce apiculture.

Agribusiness Initiative

Goal: To enhance economic opportunities for community members
Action Plan: Active engagement of women and youth groups and securing stable market access for fruit farmers.

Water & Sanitation Initiative

Emerging Need: To rehabilitate existing dams, tanks, and boreholes
Activities: Water mapping to have records on aquifers at Mua Hills, use the records to lobby for support for rehabilitation.

Clean Energy Initiative

Goal: Advancing climate action (SDG 13) by regulating emissions and promoting renewable energy
Activities: Training and demonstration of alternative clean cooking technologies.

Partners

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Projects

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Principal Investigators

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Research Mentors

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Stories

Advisory Board

The Global MLE Consortium

This MLE project has been activated through a global consortium of partners. The consortium of partners spread through five geographical regions of world (i.e., Southeast Asia, Europe, South and East Africa, and West Africa) where the foundation has relevant targeted initiatives with each partner focusing on activities of the project within the geography where the partner is located and has lived experience
Sankofa Consulting, a Seattle-based MLE organization with rich history with BMGF, will coordinate the consortium of partners
The International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) is the main research partner for East and Sub-Saharan Africa
Sambodhi is the main research partner for South Asia. It is based in Uttar Pradesh, with other offices in Phnom Penh and Dar-es-Salaam
Haskè Conseil is the main research partner for West/Francophone Africa. The company is based in Senegal.

The ICED Team

About the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Horticulture

The Feed the Future Innovation Horticulture at UC Davis works with and promotes local leadership to advance horticulture and social innovations, empowering small-scale producers to earn more income while better nourishing their communities. Learn More.

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