Overview
The STAKE project (Stabilizing Kenya through Resolving Forest Related Conflicts) was officially launched by the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Environment, Water and Natural Resources, Prof. Judy Wakhungu, on July 2, 2013.
The STAKE project was an exciting partnership between Wangari Maathai Institute (WMI), Green Belt Movement (GBM), Kenya Forest Research Institute KEFRI) and the University of Copenhagen, Denmark. It is expected to contribute to stability in Kenya by understanding and targeting the underlying factors that lead to conflicts over forest-related resources. The 3-year project funded by the Danish Development Agency (DANIDA) will also contribute to Kenya’s long-term development by mentoring and training the next generation of talented, young academics through the provision of scholarships for Masters and PhD training.
Through the STAKE Project, scholarships were awarded to four PhD students registered at WMI and seven research scholarships to Masters of Science (MSc) students registered in various departments in the University. WMI also received support in the development of PhD syllabus on Environmental Governance and Management as well as the development of MSc syllabus on Environmental Governance. In addition, five Professors from the University of Copenhagen were appointed as visiting Professors of the University of Nairobi. The project also saw the purchase of equipment to support teaching and research work.
One of the Project's outputs include a book titled "Forest Resources Utilization, Livelihoods and Conflicts: Synthesis of research under the "Stabilizing Kenya Through Solving Forest Related Conflicts project" (STAKE) 2012-2016"