Brief

Implementing smallholder carbon projects: building local institutional capacity through participatory action research

author(s) Shames, Seth - Heiner, Krista - Kapukha, Martha - Kiguli, Lillian - Masiga, Moses - Nantongo Kalunda, Pauline - Sempala A - Recha, John W.M. - Wekesa, Amos
from CGIAR - Research Programs and Platforms
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themes
regions
  • Africa
  • World
  • Eastern Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
citation

Shames A, Heiner K, Kapukha M, Kiguli L, Masiga M, Kalunda P, Sempala A, Recha J, Wekesa A. 2015. Implementing smallholder carbon projects: building local institutional capacity through participatory action research. Research Brief. Washington DC: Ecoagriculture Partners.
Implementing smallholder carbon projects: building local institutional capacity through participatory action research

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

Two smallholder agricultural carbon projects in East Africa engaged in a participatory action research process to identify ways local actors could take on larger management roles within the projects. Key lessons from this process were:
* Community-based intermediaries can play a leading role in land- management trainings and supportive roles in carbon measurement and marketing.
* Local government participation is critical to project success.
* Local NGOs and private-sector actors can play central roles in training, providing agricultural inputs and linking farmers to markets.
* Standardized training and curricula are important for scaling up.
* Women’s roles in projects can grow if project benefits are aligned with their needs and trainings are made more accessible.
* Agricultural benefits are more important than carbon payments for participating farmers.
* Strengthened local and national policies in support of sustainable agricultural land management are needed to scale up project benefits.

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