Climate Curve

Mount Elgon Conservation and Heritage Initiative (MECHI)

Org Type

Nonprofit

Year Founded

2023

Primary Project Category:

Secondary Project Category:

How Project Affects Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions:

['Removes/stores GHGs (e.g., projects that capture, sequester, or otherwise enhance the "sinks" that accumulate and store GHGs)']

Impact on Underrepresented Groups:

MECHI places underrepresented and climate-vulnerable communities at the center of its conservation and restoration work. Around Mt. Elgon, women, youth, and marginalized local communities often face limited access to resources and decision-making in environmental management. MECHI actively engages these groups through participatory planning, training, and leadership opportunities in restoration, forest monitoring, and sustainable land-use initiatives. Women are specifically empowered through income-generating activities linked to forest stewardship, such as seedling nurseries and eco-friendly livelihoods, which also enhance family resilience.
Youth participation is promoted via environmental education programs, community monitoring teams, and climate awareness campaigns, building local capacity for long-term stewardship. MECHI ensures these groups have representation in decision-making bodies, advisory committees, and project leadership teams, integrating their perspectives into project planning and implementation.
By providing skills, resources, and leadership opportunities, MECHI strengthens the voice and agency of underrepresented groups in climate action. This approach not only improves project outcomes-through enhanced community ownership and sustainable practices-but also contributes to social equity, gender inclusion, and empowerment of climate-vulnerable populations.

Website:

http://mtelgonconservation.org/

Mission Statement:

To restore and conserve ecosystems in the Mount Elgon landscape through community-led, science-informed, and climate-responsive approaches that strengthen biodiversity, enhance climate resilience, and support sustainable livelihoods for present and future generations