The projects MKEPP and UTaNRMP address the key link between poverty and natural resources degrada-tion from an Integrated Participatory Approach involving local communities. Both project interventions focus on livelihood improvement activities, which result in better management of the environment.

Four (4) learning experiences have been visited for the development of this Case Study: (1) A School Green Program whose objective is to create awareness on environmental management among school going pupils and whose involvement translates into that of the total community as the pupils are able to influence and sensitize the overall community to undertake environmental management. The two other interventions target capacity building of local groups involved in the management of natural resources, namely (2) Water Resources Users Associations (WRUA) and (3) a Small Scheme Irrigation Project in the area of Nthawa. These experiences show how a sustainable management of natural resources (soil and water conservation) can lead to reduced conflicts and increase community resilience to climate change. (4) And the last successful experience visited is related to a plantation establishment in government forests in Meru (Community Forest Association). It shows how the involvement of local forest adjacent communities accrues direct socio-economic benefits while rehabilitating degraded forests.