WHAT
WE DO
PROGRAMS & PROJECTS.
IMPACT'S work targets seven key thematic areas, all pertaining to Indigenous Peoples' well-being and environmental conservation.
Human rights, lobby and advocacy
Advancing Indigenous Peoples' rights at the regional, national and international level, focusing on the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights
Strengthening pastoralist communities' capacity to map, manage and share their resources in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
Land rights and natural resource governance
Building communities' capacity to defend their rights within large-scale projects occurring on their land, as well as their access to associated benefits
Institutional capacity development
Peace building and conflict transformation
Providing a platform for peace-building initiatives and including communities in forums, both at the county and national levels
Climate change
adaptation and resilience
Collaborating with various stakeholders in designing polices, plans and legislation focusing on increasing communities' resilience and ability to manage risk
Livelihoods and economic empowerment
Improving the economic conditions of local initiatives through the development of alternative sources of livelihood
Research and Documentation
Conducting research on various topics related to environmental conservation and collaborating with international scholars and universities
UN DECADES ON ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION & WATER
Today ecosystem degradation has become a key concern both at the global,national and local levels. The UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration explicitly talks about the need to prevent, halt and reverse the degradation of ecosystems on every continent and in every marine ecosystem,which will further end poverty,climate change and extinction of species.It is important to protect ecosystems because it supports all living and non-living things on earth,by doing so we shall have a healthy ecosystem to support a healthy planet and people.This goes hand in hand with the Decade on water which focuses on the sustainable development and integrated management of water resources for the achievement of social, economic and environmental objectives.As the rest of the world, lack of access to safe drinking water, scarcity , population growth, desertification, drought and climate change are the major water problems affecting the people of Northern kenya.
In reference to the UN Decade on Ecosystem restoration and water and the Sustainable development goals (13) on Climate action,sdg (14) on Life below water,sdg (15) on Life on land and sdg (6) on Clean water and sanitation .IMPACT addresses ecosystem restoration and water through our thematic areas:
1.The Community Land Protection Program
Under the Land program we have created traditional governance systems through which we strengthen the capacity of pastoralist communities to manage and share their natural resources in a sustainable manner and improved their capacity to negotiate with the government, investors and other stakeholders regarding the sustainable utilization of their natural resources.
2. Climate change,adaptation and Resilience Program
We have formed Sub Catchment management plans which play a vital role in protecting,conserving and managing water and natural resources,this serves to ensure sustainable and balanced water resource utilization for both socioeconomic benefits and ecosystem management.We also support communities to come up with Community disaster risk reduction management by developing Community contingency plans that comes in handy during drought seasons.
3. Peace building and conflict resolution Program
We facilitate inter-community dialogues and negotiations around issues stemming from resource-based conflicts and development of grazing agreements between communities to help manage the available resources.
4. Research Program
Conflict resolution study with the MCgill university on natural resource based conflicts which is caused by degradation.Ecosystem restoration will reduce movement of communities which will reduce conflicts
To address this issues ,we work with the national and county governments (National Land Commission,Ministry of lands and physical planning,Water resources authority,Ministry of interior and coordination,Ministry of devolution and Arid and Semi-arid Lands and the county governments of Laikipia,Isiolo,Samburu and Marsabit) and development partners.We stress on the importance of the participation and full involvement of all relevant stakeholders, including women, children, young people, older persons, persons with disabilities and local communities.This can help to end poverty, combat climate change and prevent a mass extinction which will only succeed if everyone plays a part.