For many conservation projects, success is measured in hectares restored, invasive species removed, or trees planted. While these ecological indicators are critical, they overlook a vitally important question:
How does restoration change the lives of the people doing the work?

In 2024, we started implementing a restoration project supported by the IKI Small Grants programme, part of the International Climate Initiative of the German Federal Government. From the outset, the project was designed with two equally important goals: restoring degraded ecosystems and strengthening the livelihoods and skills of the local people working in these landscapes.
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While the ecological outcomes focused on restoring forests, the project also aimed to create meaningful employment opportunities, build restoration skills, and deepen participants’ connection to the natural environment.

To better understand these social outcomes, we conducted a social and livelihood assessment among restoration team members who participated in the project.

Some of these results are summarised below

South Africa is currently facing renewed concern around the spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), a highly contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs (WOAH, 2025). While the disease poses little risk to humans, it can have devastating impacts on livestock health, farming livelihoods, and the agricultural economy (WOAH, 2025).
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Recent outbreaks in several provinces have prompted the national government to intensify efforts to control the disease. Containing FMD requires a coordinated response between farmers, veterinarians, government departments and agricultural organisations.