In a landmark week, partners convened in Uganda under the European Union-funded project, “Supporting New and Existing Community Conservancies, Adjacent Parks and Forests in the Kidepo–Turkana Landscape of Uganda and Kenya,” carrying out a series of impactful engagements, coordination and launching milestone achievements.

The story of most of these areas that have received interventions from NRT through DANIDA is no longer only a story of thirst. It is a story of resilience. It is the story of what happens when communities lead, donors commit long-term, and institutions listen. It is the story of how NRT and DANIDA, working hand in hand with local people, are transforming northern Kenya.

In recent times, conservation funding has experienced increasing contraction, driven by geopolitical crises, changing donor priorities and global economic turbulence. While participants acknowledged these challenges, they also emphasised the opportunities for partners to play a greater role in shaping resilient, homegrown solutions.