From September 9-13, 2024, MDF had the privilege to facilitate a workshop at Lake Kivu Serena Hotel in Rubavu, Rwanda, focusing on developing Theories of Change (ToC) and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) plans for the World Resources Institute’s (WRI) Restore Local program. The we aim was to equip participants with the tools to track and drive large-scale restoration efforts across Africa’s vital landscapes.

WRI’s Global Restoration Initiative seeks to transform degraded lands into productive ecosystems that benefit both people and nature. Aligned with the African Forest Landscape Restoration Initiative (AFR100), which targets restoring 100 million hectares by 2030, the program prioritizes large-scale landscape restoration that strengthens Africa’s food, water, and energy systems while safeguarding the environment.

The Restore Local Program

Launched in July 2023, the Restore Local program is built on the premise that sustainable change can only happen through locally led efforts. Spanning key landscapes such as the Lake Kivu & Rusizi River Basin, the Greater Rift Valley in Kenya, and Ghana's Cocoa Belt, the program focuses on:

1. Training and mentorship for local restoration leaders.

2. Direct funding to support these efforts.

3. Collaboration with governments to support local farmers.

4. Implementing systems to monitor progress.

‍

Advancing MEL Practices

The week-long workshop marks a critical step in refining the MEL framework for Restore Local. Our consultancy spans eight months, aiming to build a strong foundation for tracking restoration progress at various levels—landscape, country, and continental. Some key aspects we focus on include:

· Pause and Reflect: This process helps teams document achievements and areas for improvement after one year of implementation.

· Theory of Change: We are developing ToCs at both program and landscape levels to ensure activities lead to desired outcomes.

· Monitoring Framework: Establishing indicators and baselines to measure success.

· Capacity Building: Identifying gaps in internal MEL capacity and offering solutions.

· Data Management: Designing systems that promote data collection and analysis across landscapes.

‍

The Importance of this Workshop

This workshop is vital to the success of Restore Local and its broader goals within AFR100. By guiding teams through tailored discussions on ToCs and MEL frameworks, we’re laying the groundwork for long-term, large-scale restoration efforts. These efforts not only protect ecosystems but also uplift local communities who depend on these landscapes for their livelihoods.

At MDF, we believe that capacity-building and learning are the keys to meaningful change. Through our work in Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC & Ghana, we’re empowering communities and stakeholders to lead Africa’s restoration efforts, setting the stage for a more resilient and greener future.

‍