As the world continues to grapple with climate variability and climate change, questions arise about how to build resilience in communities particularly those living in the fragile arid and semi-arid lands in the present, as well as in the uncertain future.

 According to Kenya’s First National Communication (2002) to the UNFCC CoP, incidences of drought are anticipated to increase both in intensity and frequency as a result of climate change.  In response, Zeitz Foundation and NEPCon of Denmark entered into a 30 month partnership in March 2015 with funding from the Nordic Environment Finance Corporation (NEFCO) to enable marginalized communities in the highly vulnerable area of Laikipia to adapt to climate change, contribute to stabilizing GHG levels, and graduate from subsistence farming to producing marketable surplus.

Scaling-up conservation agriculture, innovative rainwater harvesting and human wildlife conflict mitigation technologies will be the principle vehicle for adaptation and enhancing resilient livelihoods, which will also generate mitigation benefits. However, more significant mitigation benefits achieved through carbon sequestration by restoring degraded privately and community managed wild lands. These gains, along with increased productivity and sustained access to profitable markets, will enhance the socio-economic well-being of local communities.

The project is being funded by Nordic Climate Facility (NCF) and has brought on board other local and international partners, including Ol Pejeta Conservancy, Vizzuality UK and County Government of Laikipia among them ensuring a blend of international and local knowledge and capacity to implement the project as well as co-financing.