CHASE Africa promotes a one-health approach, recognising the interconnectedness of human and environmental health and wellbeing.
Healthier communities, empowered with information and strong community structures, can more effectively look after their local environment, manage their natural resources and protect biodiversity. Successful community-focused conservation can bring economic and social benefits, including better health services, fostering a positive cycle of wellbeing and environmental stewardship.
"The Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust has supported Chase Africa for nearly 10 years. Their experience and understanding of the challenges facing women and families in Africa, alongside the need to secure vital landscapes, is second to none. Trustees value their small, lean and highly effective structure which squeezes value out of even modest funds".
Ernest Kleinwort Charitable Trust
Why a healthy environment is important
Protecting the environment and reducing biodiversity loss
Rural communities, who are reliant on natural resources to survive, thrive with better management of communal natural resources. Protecting environments from degradation and overuse prevents biodiversity loss. Supporting community participation is essential for promoting sustainable solutions and brings enhanced economic gains for community members.
Creating time for alternative livelihoods and conservation activities
Communities who are empowered by having their health and family planning needs met are able to engage in sustainable livelihoods and diversify their income. Gender equality and women's access to opportunities are crucial; women can drive sustainable practices, alleviating poverty, and easing pressure on natural resources.
Lasting benefits for communities and ecosystems
Preserving biodiversity brings lasting benefits for communities and ecosystems. Alternative livelihoods and climate-resilient agriculture strengthen food security and build resilience to climate change. Economic benefits can come from tourism, carbon credits, or improved farming yields, in turn improving the quality of life for local communities.
How we contribute to healthy environments
Community engagement in environmental activities
We support our local partners in holistic, community-driven strategies for sustainable natural resource management. Activities include forest restoration, tree nurseries, kitchen gardens, climate-smart agriculture, green technologies like cookstoves and solar power, and strengthening Natural Resource Management Committees. We simultaneously address overuse of natural resources, food insecurity and climate adaptation.
Integrating healthcare into conservation programmes
We support organisations to integrate health programmes with their environmental activities. We identify organisations with strong existing community links, local expertise and infrastructure, and support them to develop holistic human and environmental health solutions. Our partnerships focus on organisations with a range of environmental activities, including natural resource management, reforestation, human-wildlife coexistence, and protection of biodiversity.
Advocacy and influencing
We advocate for conservation organisations and their funders to integrate community health programmes into their work. We emphasise the need for communities to have their core needs addressed for community-based conservation to be successful. We proudly contribute to the IUCN Taskforce on Biodiversity and Family Planning, which highlights the importance of addressing barriers to family planning, as part of a core strategy in conservation efforts.
Sagalla: CHASE Africa supported the team at Save the Elephants’ Bees Research Centre in Sagalla, Kenya, to initiate a community health pilot project in 2021.
10 local partners integrating environmental and health messages at community dialogues and in school clubs
5 community nurseries established