Madagascar

10 hectares

The Laudato Si Movement Madagascar, a faith-based organization committed to integral ecology, is actively engaged in several initiatives for the restoration and protection of land and ecosystems, in line with Pope Francis encyclical Laudato Si. One of their key projects is based in Morondava, in the Menabe region (western Madagascar), where the organization focus on the conservation and restoration of mangrove forests. In response to severe degradation, the organization has implemented: Mangrove replanting activities involving youth, parish members, and local communities, Awarenes sessions highlighting the ecological and spiritual value of mangroves in coastal protection, biodiversity preservation, and climate change mitigation, Collaboration with local authorities and environmental NGOs to strengthen community-based governance of coastal areas. This initiative is closely linked to their coastal clean-up efforts, particularly in Morondava and Toliara, where marine pollution from plastic waste poses a serious threat to the ocean and coastal life. These initiatives reflect their commitment to promoting integral ecology, combining faith, civic responsibility, and environmental justice. They are part of a broader movement toward community-based ecological conversion, where even the simplest actions contribute to the healing of their common home. Lastly, climate variability (such as prolonged droughts or cyclones) increasingly affects both terrestrial and coastal ecosystems, making restoration efforts more fragile and complex.

100 000 hectares of forest hectares

FANALAMANGA Society have a forest ressource for 100 000 hectare, now, the based of the plantation forest is a land. The population who lived in the society area need always the land , the culture population Malagasy proud to heritate the land for here children. This situation instaure the war betewen the society, population and local autority. FANALAMANGA must to find a new law to resolved this situation. The Society must find a new social discipline to regulate this situation.

400 hectares hectares

Their faith-inspired organization is actively engaged in land restoration and sustainable landscape management in Madagascar, with a special focus on regions such as Sofia, Atsinanana, Diana, and SAVAareas recognized for their ecological richnes and medicinal biodiversity, yet highly vulnerable to degradation. Higher Polytechnic School of Antananarivo had the opportunity to work closely with a wide range of stakeholderspublic institutions, private actors, local communities, and international partnersto co-develop inclusive policies for sustainable land management and agroforestry. This role allowed me to foster collaborative platforms that promote local skills, encourage intersectoral dialogue, and ensure participatory governance for shared stewardship of natural resources. Today, their organization continues that spirit of partnership by integrating scientific knowledge with spiritual and traditional values. The organization collaborates with faith leaders, youth groups, universities, and farmers cooperatives to restore degraded ecosystems through native reforestation, medicinal plant cultivation, and agroecological farming. These activities are supported by community-led training, awarenes campaigns, and interfaith environmental dialogues rooted in the belief that caring for the land is a moral and spiritual duty. Their current pilot projects in Ambatoharanana (Sofia) and Analalava (Atsinanana) involve local churches and traditional authorities in land rehabilitation and reforestation. These efforts are part of a larger strategy to align environmental restoration with democratic participation, biodiversity protection, and climate resilience. The organization is committed to expanding their impact and are open to collaborations that support spiritually grounded, scientifically sound, and socially inclusive land restoration practices in Madagascar. Land tenure insecurity, especially in rural areas, often leads to conflicts and discourages local communities from adopting sustainable practices. Without a clear framework to coordinate state, community, and private actors, restoration efforts remain isolated and fragile. In addition, population pressure, unsustainable land use practices (e.g., slash-and-burn agriculture), and climate change exacerbate soil degradation and ecosystem vulnerability.

400 hectares hectares

Their project area is in the South of Madagascar and its arid region and rain fed cultivation is done in small scale. Last three years the organization has started planting more than 100 000 trees in the location. As people around here cut down most of the trees for charcoals the area is barren. This initiative is to bring some green in the area and plan some agroforestry products like honeybees etc. The organization is engaging in rainwater collection and create small tanks where the organization could grow an integrated model of fish, small animals like sheep or chicken and the wastewater enriched with manure for cultivation. All these models are for training the youth locally to come and learn from their place. The organization has also developed the animal husbandry project which are surely an integrated agriculture. The land products like sorgo and other millets not only serves as food for the people but also for the animals and in return the animal waste is used to enrich the soil. All these are taught to the youth for them to develop these models in their own lands. The organization also plant other food related crops like paddy, cassava, sweet potatoes and different vegetables. This gives an opportunity to teach on the nutrition of the food both for humans and animals. In general, their goal is to develop an ecosystem where the land, animals and human live in a sustainable way giving and receiving form one another. Most of the land in south Madagascar is arid and rain fed. Now due to the climate change Madagascar has been severely affected. The rain seasons have changed, and the organization cannot plan their seasonal crops as usual. Sometimes due to unexpected very heavy rains their check dams are broken bringing huge los. Every year thousands and thousands of kilometers of grassing field is burnt by the people the new shoots come out and that is a good feed for the animals. The organization need to construct several check dams in the region to stock water and to develop a new eco-system around the dams.

Every year, their organization carries out a massive reforestation program on their plot. Since 2020, more than 5 hectares have been restored. Their actions are deployed along the following lines: Reforestation and reforestation in Andanona, Ankazobe, Amboanjobe, in the Analamanga region of Antananarivo, Madagascar. Restoration of agricultural areas in Berano ville, Amboasary Sud in the Anosy region of Toliara, and Sandarinany-Fenoambany in the Atsimo Atsinanana region of Fianarantsoa. Soil protection, restoration and sustainable water management in Fnerive Est in the Analanjirofo region of Toamasina, and in the Fitovinany and Vatovavy regions of Fianarantsoa. The organization has several nursery sites and their organization has implemented various sustainable land management projects. These include the restoration of degraded land and mangroves, in collaboration with several partner associations. Mobilizing and coordinating stakeholders requires close collaboration with local communities, authorities and associations, which remains a complex task. The need for in-depth soil and species analysis to prevent soil degradation and the spread of invasive species. Demographic and economic pressure leading to overexploitation of natural resources, limiting the alternatives available to rural populations and accentuating poverty.

Their youth ministry is currently preparing to launch a land restoration initiative on church-owned land in Vakinankaratra Region, specifically in Ambositra, after The organization shareds the skills and knowledge The organization gaineds in Saint-Louis, Senegal, between the 21-25 April, during the last training session Building Resilient Landscapes : Sustainable Land Management and Restoration for Africas Agricultural Future. This initiative builds upon a sustainable agriculture project The organization previouslys led in the southwestern part of the country, where the organization successfully implemented techniques such as assisted natural regeneration, agroforestry, and soil conservation. The new restoration plan aims to replicate and adapt these practices in the highlands of Vakinankaratra, taking into account the unique ecological and social context of the region. The project will begin with natural regeneration of sweet potatoes, a culturally and economically significant crop, while introducing agroforestry systems using native and multipurpose tree species to improve biodiversity, soil fertility, and long-term land productivity. Beyond ecological restoration, their church is deeply committed to community education and spiritual engagement around land care. As part of the plan, the organization will involve church members, especially youth and women, through training sessions, restoration workdays, and faith-centered discussions that connect environmental action to biblical teachings on stewardship and justice. This restoration effort is not only about healing the land, but also about reconnecting people to their faith through practical action and empowering the next generation to care for creation. The organization envision the site demonstrating how faith institutions can lead by example in the global effort to restore degraded lands. Climate variability, such as irregular rainfall and soil erosion, further complicates restoration activities.

Mpanazava eto Madagascar, a faith-based organization, is actively involved in land restoration activities focused on reforestation and sustainable land management in the Analamanga region, particularly around Antananarivo and nearby rural areas. The organization works closely with local faith communities to plant native trees in degraded lands, aiming to restore biodiversity, prevent soil erosion, and improve environmental health. Their organization also conducts training sessions on waste management and sustainable agriculture, empowering community members to adopt eco-friendly practices. These trainings are led by faith leaders and volunteers who help spread knowledge within their communities, creating a strong network of environmental stewards. The organization plan to expand their restoration efforts acros other regions in Madagascar by utilizing the extensive network of Mpanazava eto Madagascar. Future initiatives will include agroforestry, which integrates tree planting with food production, offering both ecological and economic benefits. Participation in this masterclas will enhance their technical skills and capacity to design effective restoration projects. It will also support building partnerships to scale up their impact. Their ultimate goal is to embed land stewardship into their faith-based activities and mobilize communities for sustainable environmental restoration. Their faith organization is actively involved in land restoration initiatives aimed at improving local ecosystems and promoting sustainable environmental practices. Currently, the organization focus on reforestation projects and community clean-up campaigns in the Analamanga region, around Antananarivo, Madagascar. These efforts include planting native tree species in degraded areas near rural communities to restore biodiversity and prevent soil erosion. In addition to reforestation, the organization conduct awarenes and training sessions for community members on waste management and sustainable land use practices. Through these educational activities, the organization empower local people to become stewards of the land and actively participate in protecting their environment. The organization plan to expand these activities by collaborating with local schools and other faith-based groups to increase the scale and impact of their restoration projects. The organization is also interested in developing agroforestry initiatives that combine tree planting with sustainable agriculture, offering both ecological and economic benefits to the communities. If selected for this masterclas, the organization aim to strengthen their technical knowledge and build capacity to implement more effective land restoration programs, aligning with faith values and community needs.