IUCN Kenya and partners launch EUR 9 million project to build resilience in Northern Central Kenya

The REPLAN project represents a significant commitment to tackling the interconnected challenges in Northern Central Kenya. This ecologically and socio-economically vulnerable region faces a complex set of issues, including biodiversity loss, rangeland degradation, the spread of invasive species, and the economic vulnerability of pastoralist communities. These challenges are intensified by climate change and resource-based conflicts, threatening both ecosystems and livelihoods.
“REPLAN is founded on the principle of integrated landscape management, which recognizes that the health of ecosystems, community well-being, and effective governance are inseparable,” said Luther Anukur, IUCN ESARO Regional Director at the signing ceremony, which was part of the EU Green Diplomacy Week in Kenya. “Our goal is to strengthen the conservation of high-biodiversity value ecosystems while simultaneously diversifying green economic opportunities and reinforcing inclusive governance systems.”
The project will pursue this goal through a multi-faceted approach:
Conservation & restoration: Supporting the establishment and strengthening of community conservancies and forests, promoting community-led restoration of degraded rangelands, and enhancing wildlife protection through innovation and citizen science.
Green economies: Empowering local women and youth by supporting regenerative green enterprises, improving eco-tourism activities within conservancies, and promoting sustainable energy solutions and market systems for livestock and nature-based products.
Inclusive governance: Strengthening natural resource governance by empowering local institutions, facilitating participatory land use planning, and ensuring the meaningful inclusion of women, youth, and Indigenous Peoples in decision-making.
A key focus will be on enhancing coordination among counties, conservancies, communities, and national government agencies. This collaborative effort is designed to accelerate collective impact, aligning with Kenya’s commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and national development priorities.
Together with our partners, IUCN is committed to delivering the REPLAN project to the highest standards, ensuring it meets its objective of raising resilient communities and ecosystems where both people and nature can thrive.