Members of the REDAA Community recently gathered in Nairobi, Kenya, for the first in-person event since the launch of the programme’s community of practice in May 2024. Bringing together 39 participants from 21 projects and 17 countries across sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia, plus 6 REDAA staff, the event ran from 17–19 September and was filled with activities designed to spark knowledge exchange and cooperation.
Day one focused on relationship-building. Participants introduced their projects through interactive workshops to foster connections and opportunities for future collaborations. For example, we played a Cluedo-style game, where attendees asked questions to uncover and explore issues in a key activity. The group also brainstormed ways to engage in strategic communications, laying the groundwork for upcoming training sessions.
The next day, participants ventured to the Kikuyu Escarpment for a field trip led by the Kijabe Environment Volunteers (KENVO). The trip provided a first-hand look at very effective work to restore Indigenous forest and improve local livelihoods, and allowed participants to contextualise workshop material within real-world settings, connecting theory to practice.
I made connections with other organisations doing similar activities and exchanged contacts for sharing more lessons - REDAA community member
Lastly, on the final day, some members of the REDAA Community attended a programme management session, led by REDAA’s grant managers, crucial for a mutual understanding of REDAA's activity and financial monitoring and reporting requirements.
Meanwhile, others joined colleagues from two more UK-funded nature and climate research-oriented programmes, the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) and Equitable nature-based climate resilience in Sub-Saharan Africa, for a joint conference to network and support each other as a community of nature researchers and practitioners. British High Commissioner to Kenya, Neil Wigan, opened the conference, followed by an insightful talk from Susan Chomba, director of Vital Landscapes for Africa at the World Resources Institute (WRI).
We're moving away from conventional development projects and creating a safe space for discussion - REDAA community member
The event strengthened the ties within the REDAA Community. Participants appreciated the opportunity to discuss key aspects of their work, with one attendee noting, 'We're moving away from conventional development projects and creating a safe space for discussion' Others found the networking opportunities particularly valuable, with one participant sharing, 'I made connections with other organisations doing similar activities and exchanged contacts for sharing more lessons.' The focus on collaboration and knowledge exchange was foundational, leaving many eager to apply new ideas and approaches, and build stronger connections across regions.
The REDAA team is compiling key learnings from the event, which will be shared across the REDAA platforms to keep the conversation going and support ongoing collaboration.
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