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

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.

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.