The overall aim of the project is to empower and build capacities of forest-adjacent communities within Rumphi District to improve household income and manage forest resources within their jurisdiction sustainably. Towards this end, the project intends to introduce and promote both forest and non-forest based micro-enterprises among economically weak and nutritionally insecure households. Specifically, the project intends to:

? Improve quality and expand the range of products by enhancing means for local processing and quality control of products from forest-based enterprises.

? Develop a replicable model for Community Based Natural Resource Management (CNRM) by promoting the protection and conservation of forest resources through on-farm seedling development and tree planting

? Pursue and promote alternative means of livelihoods that release pressure from the forest through mushroom farming and cassava baked products.

Implementation Strategy
? Facilitation of activities while emphasizing community empowerment
? Capacity building through training to enhance self reliance
? Community organization, awareness raising and education
? Community-level action planning and implementation
? Training in and scaling up of micro-enterprises and agroforestry
? Regular monitoring of activities and evaluation of impacts
? Experiential learning and information sharing.
? study tours and community level workshops

Key Project Outcomes
? Increased knowledge and skills for the Communities effectively manage a range of small-scale income generating activities
? Improved forest vegetation cover and improved scenic beauty
? Improved governance for local development structures ? saving and credit and NRM management groups
? Increased household incomes
? Communities seed networks set up for future seed propagation and preservation of local germplasm.

Sustainability of Project Results
1. Sensitization and training of rural communities on protected areas ecosystem conservation and management will have long lasting impacts
2. Involvement of rural communities through participatory approaches in all stages of the project planning and implementation will ensure community ownership.
3. Community ownership and management of village forest areas and woodlots will ensure continuity of results even after project phase
4. Establishing strong partnerships with other development players will ensure complementarities and hence combined efforts in securing the common good
5. Alternative income generating activities tend to be sustainable because of the direct cash benefit to project participants.