Communities living alongside Kenya's forests are often the first line of defence against environmental degradation. The Platcorp Foundation is proud to have committed KES 5,000,000 to support the expansion of Rhino Ark's Community Conservation Champions Programme (CCCP) in 2026. This initiative is strengthening community-led conservation efforts in two of Kenya's most important forest landscapes: Kakamega Forest and South West Mau.

The programme identifies and empowers local volunteers to take the lead in conservation efforts within their communities. 

Empowering local Conservation champions

At the heart of the Community Conservation Champions Programme are local volunteers who serve as advocates, educators, and mobilisers within their communities. These champions play a vital role in promoting conservation awareness, supporting ecosystem restoration activities, and acting as an early-warning network for threats facing forest ecosystems.

Through this partnership, Rhino Ark will train, support, and equip Community Conservation Champions with the knowledge, tools, and resources needed to lead conservation efforts within their communities. By building local leadership and ownership, the programme helps ensure that conservation is not only community-centred but also sustainable for generations to come. 

Beyond supporting Community Conservation Champions, the programme also promotes conservation education by establishing wildlife clubs in local schools. By introducing students to environmental stewardship at a young age, the initiative is creating meaningful awareness and successfully engaging youth in sustainability and the importance of protecting Kenya's ecosystems.

Supporting Conservation Action in 2026

The Platcorp Foundation's KES 5 million investment will support the implementation of the programme across Kakamega Forest and South West Mau throughout 2026 by enabling:

• The support of 50 Community Conservation Champions across  Kakamega Forest and South West Mau.
• Training and refresher workshops to strengthen conservation knowledge and leadership skills.
• Community barazas and awareness forums to encourage and facilitate broader participation in environmental stewardship.
• Household and school outreach activities that promote conservation education and engagement.
• Restoration activities that contribute to forest recovery and ecosystem health.
• Sustainable livelihood initiatives that strengthen the connection between conservation and community wellbeing.
• Cross-site learning exchanges that allow champions to share experiences and best practices.
• Development of co-branded visibility materials, reporting outputs, and media content to document and share programme impact.

Expanding Conservation Efforts in Kakamega Forest

While the Community Conservation Champions Programme has already demonstrated significant value in South West Mau, this partnership marks an important milestone with its expansion into Kakamega Forest, one of Kenya's most ecologically significant forest ecosystems.

Through this investment, Rhino Ark and the Platcorp Foundation will strengthen community-led conservation by supporting local champions, restoration activities, and long-term stewardship of the forest. A dedicated Community Conservation Champions Facilitator based in Kakamega will coordinate implementation on the ground, ensuring sustained engagement with forest-adjacent communities and helping to grow a strong network of local conservation leaders.

Conservation Starts with Communities

The Platcorp Foundation believes that effective and lasting conservation begins with the people who interact with these landscapes every day.

By investing in local leadership, conservation awareness, restoration activities, and sustainable livelihoods, this partnership seeks to empower communities to become active custodians of the ecosystems they depend on. When communities are equipped with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities to participate in conservation, environmental protection becomes more resilient, inclusive and sustainable.

Looking Ahead

Over the course of 2026, the programme aims to strengthen a network of 50 Community Conservation Champions who will raise awareness, mobilise local action, and support restoration efforts across Kakamega Forest and South West Mau. This programme's efforts will contribute to greater environmental stewardship, stronger community participation, and increased climate resilience.

As implementation begins, the Platcorp Foundation looks forward to working alongside Rhino Ark, local leaders, and community members to demonstrate the power of community-led conservation. 

Together, we are investing in local leadership, protecting critical forest ecosystems, and demonstrating that lasting conservation is most effective when driven by the communities closest to the forests themselves.