When the ‘doors’ opened for the gallery walk and exhibition at the Strengthen the Roots (StR) closing event, the room became a living storybook of impact. On the eight-foot poster boards clad in white polyester material were the colourful displays of photographs that told the stories of eight Community-Based Organisations (CBOs).
Each stand revealed a nostalgic flashback of resilience, growth, and hope woven together into a powerful mosaic of community action across Ghana.
As participants moved from one stand to another, they paused to read, listen, and ask questions. You could hear deep conversations buzzing, CBO representatives proudly explaining their projects and sharing stories of challenges and breakthroughs.
The walk was more than an exhibition; it was an experience of discovery. It allowed everyone—donors, partners, and fellow CBOs to see, touch, and feel the progress made. Each stop was a glance into a unique community, and together they formed a powerful mosaic of resilience, creativity, and hope.
Over the past three years, the StR Project (2022–2025) has nurtured this growth. Funded by the Nationale Postcode Loterij and coordinated by IUCN NL and Wilde Ganzen, and implemented in Ghana by A Rocha Ghana with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), the project has built the capacity of grassroots organisations working at the intersection of conservation and community development.
These partners showcased how, with the right support, they have grown into stronger, more visible actors, mobilising communities, engaging decision-makers, and driving lasting change.
Reflections and Lessons
Speaking at the event, Sander Otten of Wilde Ganzen noted that the project leaves behind more than outcomes: “The seeds have been planted, the roots are growing deeper. Now it is up to you to keep nurturing them, so that they continue to grow and bear fruit for your communities and for nature.”
His reflections also celebrated the increased visibility of CSOs’ joint action against illegal mining and policy shifts that demonstrate the power of civil society.
According to Otten, though the StR Project has ended, its legacy continues. The skills, resilience, and partnerships built will keep shaping stronger futures for Ghana’s communities and ecosystems. Evidence that when local organisations are trusted and supported, they can achieve extraordinary things.
“When we started Strengthen the Roots three years ago, the idea was simple but ambitious: to support local organisations rooted in their communities, so they could strengthen their role as guardians of nature and promoters of sustainable livelihoods,” he said.
Adding to this, Dr. Seth Appiah-Kubi, National Director of A Rocha Ghana, reminded participants that the real achievement of Strengthen the Roots lies in the bonds of partnership created among the organisations. He noted that the project has set participants on a path of building a network that can endure, if nurtured with intention.
“It is easy for CBOs to feel isolated because of where they are situated, but across the landscape, there are now partners and friends to call upon in moments of need,” he said, adding that “is the true power of the network.”
Dr. Appiah-Kubi encouraged the organisations to keep this chain alive through continuous networking, whether by joining forces during national commemorations, running joint campaigns, or sharing learning opportunities.
According to him, “No challenge that arises in our individual landscapes is too great,” he said, “because now we know we are not facing them alone. We can draw strength, ideas, and moral support from one another.”
He also reflected on how far the organisations have come: three years ago, some of us were smaller, less confident, and less connected. Today, we stand taller, more knowledgeable, more skilled, and more prepared to tackle the challenges ahead. Through the trainings and coaching received under Strengthen the Roots, they leave with deeper confidence and stronger institutions, a foundation that will sustain them even as the project ends.
For Sander van Andel, Expert in Nature Conservation at the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands, the most impactful achievement of the Strengthen the Roots Project has been the diversity of its partnerships.
“The most impactful achievement that I see is bringing such a diverse group of partners together—combining capacity building, capacity strengthening, and actual projects. The diversity of partners has amazed me, as has what each has been able to achieve and the way they have stayed connected.”
Looking to the future, he expressed hope that the participating CBOs will continue to play a critical role in conservation and community resilience.
“I hope they can contribute to the conservation of nature, safeguard their environments, and protect the lives of their communities. I also hope they can provide alternatives to destructive behaviours that threaten their lands, so their people have safe drinking water, a healthy environment, and biodiversity that makes their lives resilient to climate change.”
More on the closing event
Day One, themed “From Seed to Roots – What We’ve Grown,” opened with an interactive exercise where organisations placed themselves on a map of Ghana, symbolising the reach of the network. This was followed by impact presentations from all eight partner CBOs and group conversations on sustaining fundraising, advocacy, and mobilising support beyond the project.
On the other hand, day two shifted the focus to the future, anchoring on the theme, “Rooted and Resilient – What Comes Next?”
Here, Participants took part in practical skills workshops led by WACSI, peer problem-solving circles, and a presentation of survey findings by A Rocha Ghana. They also evaluated the programme, shared lessons learned, and drafted mini-action plans to guide their work moving forward. The event concluded with the premiere of the documentary “From Roots to Impacts affirming that while the project has ended, the spirit and network it created will continue to thrive.
Appreciation
This chapter cannot close without acknowledging the eight partner CBOs who walked this path with us: Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM), Youth Volunteers for the Environment Ghana (YVE Ghana), Environment Report, FLOWER (Facilitating Learning of Women in Emerging Regions), Concerned Citizens of the Atewa Landscape (CCAL), Coalition for Development of Northern Ghana (NORTHCODE-Ghana), Social Initiative for Literacy and Development Program (SILDEP) Ghana, and the Ghana Environmental Advocacy Group (GEAG).
Their resilience, creativity, and commitment are the true roots of this project.
Appreciation also goes to the Nationale Postcode Loterij, IUCN NL, and Wilde Ganzen for their support, and to WACSI for their partnership and shared vision.
