Equal Rights & GiveDirectly Strengthen Collaboration with LCA on Climate Common Fund Pilot

LCA was honored to host representatives from Equal Rights and GiveDirectly for their second courtesy visit, following the initial engagement held in June 2025. The meeting served as a follow-up on the Climate Common Fund, a groundbreaking initiative currently piloted at Il Ngwesi Conservancy.

The Climate Common Fund is designed to connect unconditional cash transfers directly to environmental conservation outcomes demonstrating how targeted financial support can empower communities to invest in climate resilience, restore ecosystems, and improve livelihoods simultaneously.

Key Highlights from the Meeting:

• Pilot Progress: Updates from the Il Ngwesi Conservancy pilot indicated positive outcomes in community participation, rangeland management, and household welfare.

• Innovation in Climate Finance: The model introduces a new approach to conservation funding channeling resources directly to communities who live with and protect wildlife and rangelands.

• Scaling Potential: Discussions explored how lessons from Il Ngwesi could inform wider application across other LCA member conservancies, particularly in pastoral and arid regions.

• Collaboration and Learning: Partners reaffirmed their commitment to evidence-based monitoring and data sharing to ensure impact transparency and accountability.

LCA emphasized the importance of partnerships that bridge social equity, conservation finance, and local empowerment  underscoring that sustainable conservation must go hand in hand with direct community benefit.

“Initiatives like the Climate Common Fund redefine conservation by linking community well-being directly to environmental stewardship. This is the future of inclusive conservation finance.”— Paul Sosaita, Senior Programs Officer, Laikipia Conservancies Association

The engagement concluded with a shared vision to continue strengthening collaboration, monitor pilot progress, and explore the potential for scaling the model across the wider Laikipia landscape.