A grassroots regreening movement

Like forests, powerful social movements spread from the roots. In the vast region of the Sahel, where resources are scarce and insecurity is rife, a locally-led movement is essential for turning the tide on land degradation.

A locally-led approach

Communities Regreen the Sahel unites organisations, scientific institutes and communities across Niger, Burkina Faso and Senegal. Together, we are building a strong grassroots regreening movement. We are raising awareness, strengthening and connecting communities, so that Farmer Managed Natural Regeneration can flourish well beyond the confines of the programme.

Based on Indigenous knowledge and practices, FMNR was reintroduced in the 1980s by farmers in Niger, who started regreening their land by reviving native ‘underground forests’ of roots, stubs and seeds. In contrast to many other regreening approaches, FMNR puts power in the hands of local communities, centering local leadership and knowledge. With training and technical support, local communities are managing ecosystem restoration, which helps to ensure the effectiveness and long-term sustainability of regreening efforts.

Neighbour to neighbour

People are more likely to adopt FMNR when they see the results for themselves: more trees, more fodder, better soil and increased harvests. FMNR practitioners inspire others to join them by demonstrating the success of the approach to their neighbours, both near and far. Communities Regreen the Sahel facilitates peer learning activities, including exchange visits between FMNR practitioners, so they can share knowledge and learn from each other.

Local leaders – including religious leaders, school principals, traditional authorities and youth leaders – play an important role in promoting FMNR and its values. We strengthen their knowledge about FMNR and actively engage them in promoting community regreening. We build trust and credibility in communities by mobilising local champions and trusted leaders to spread their enthusiasm for FMNR.

Village to village

Through radio shows, theatre, songs, posters and more, we are increasing wider visibility for community-led ecosystem restoration through FMNR. Caravans travel from village to village to demonstrate the benefits of the approach. We are sharing stories of success and mobilising new communities to take part. Through these efforts, we are sharing the message of FMNR far and wide, and into the future.

Well-informed and connected networks of local organisations are vital for growing the regreening movement. Through networking, training and capacity development activities, we strengthen local organisations to provide ongoing support to farmers to implement FMNR. We also link diverse regreening initiatives, sharing information and best practices to strengthen and scale the regreening movement across the Sahel.

Country to country

We aim to build a grassroots regreening movement across the Sahel. At the regional level, we are connecting local organisations and scientific institutes to exchange experiences and foster joint learning and collaboration. We connect with key actors on the international level to build support, including funding and favourable policies, to accelerate the regreening movement.