THE PIP APPROACH
Building a solid foundation for sustainable change, working towards sustainable farming systems, thriving communities, and healthy landscapes.
Over 400.000 farmers working with PIP
More than 50 projects implemented in 10+ countries
11 years of experience
Current landscapes see degradation as a result
of exploitation of natural resources and poor
management practices.
Families largely depend on their own produce for
food and income. They face challenges of poor soil
fertility, climate change, market fluctuations, lack of
(healthcare and educational) facilities, etc.
Community members discuss
and envision their future situation.
Together they make a community vision.
Change begins with a drawing and a plan. Farmer
families sketch today’s reality and their vision for
tomorrow, sparking dialogue about roles,
responsibilities, and opportunities.
Together, family members share aspirations, divide
tasks, and agree on the way forward to realize
their desired future.
As they plan, act and learn together, motivation
grows, confidence builds, and families recognize
their capacity to shape their futures.
Over time, fields become more fertile, harvests more
abundant, incomes more secure, and households
more resilient.
Farmers exchange knowledge, collaborate across
families, and work toward shared goals in the
community.
They jointly restore degraded landscapes, strengthen
local structures, and take collective ownership of
their environment.
By jointly implementing restoration and conservation
practices, the landscape slowly re-greens and
people enjoy its ecosystem services.
In essence, the PIP approach supports farmer households and communities to transition from a present (left-hand side of image) to a future (right-hand side of the image) situation by imagining a realistic future, developing action plans, and beginning to implement activities, driving locally-rooted and sustainable change.
The PIP approach aims to…
- Facilitate long-term planning: support households and communities to envision their future, visualize common goals, and set realistic actions.
- Empower people to act: promote locally led development by fostering agency and continuous learning among households, communities, and local stakeholders.
- Foster sustainable land management: encourage integrated farming practices, improve soil health, and strengthen land stewardship.
- Mobilize people at scale: stimulate farmer-to-farmer exchanges, enhance social cohesion, and initiate joint action planning with local institutions.
- Strengthen resilience: promote diversification and integration of activities, and contribute to the overall well-being of communities and ecosystems.
From Mount Elgon’s rugged slopes, this video captures the impact of the MWARES project (2019–2023). It tells the story of how over 8000 farming families reclaimed land, revived biodiversity, and rebuilt livelihoods, demonstrating what is possible when communities become empowered to take ownership of their future. Watch more impact stories here.
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