Our Model and Theory of Change

Our model and theory of change

Synergy between conservation and social enterprise. Kenono works in 128 villages across Nagaland, and with the institutions that govern land and forest from the khel to the state.

The Kenono model

When communities strengthen stewardship through enterprise and institutions, communities and nature flourish together across generations.

Community stewardship through community enterprise. The theory of change runs as a cycle; scroll to move around it.

1Landscape 2Communities 3CommunityStewardship 4Community Enterprise 5Strong LocalInstitutions 6Learning andPartnerships Communities and natureflourishing togetheracross generations
Stage 1 of 6

Landscape

The living foundation. Forests, rivers, biodiversity, land, climate, and culture shape our communities.

Stage 2 of 6

Communities

Indigenous and local communities are the primary stewards of their landscapes.

Stage 3 of 6

Community Stewardship

Ethical responsibility expressed through conservation, sustainable use, traditional knowledge, and collective governance.

Stage 4 of 6

Community Enterprise

Local, community-owned enterprises create dignified livelihoods while strengthening ecosystems.

Stage 5 of 6

Strong Local Institutions

Village councils, community institutions, cooperatives, and groups provide governance, continuity, and trust.

Stage 6 of 6

Learning and Partnerships

Intergenerational learning, research, innovation, and partnerships expand opportunities and build resilience.

Guiding principles

What we hold to, inside the cycle.

  1. 01
    Community ownership

    Communities lead their own development.

  2. 02
    Respect for culture and knowledge

    Traditional knowledge is valued and strengthened.

  3. 03
    Ecological integrity

    Nature is not a resource to exploit but a relationship to nurture.

  4. 04
    Equity and inclusion

    Women, youth, and vulnerable groups are central to our work.

  5. 05
    Long-term commitment

    We walk with communities for lasting generational change.

Key enablers

What makes it turn, from outside.

  1. 01
    Dialogue and trust

    Building strong relationships based on respect.

  2. 02
    Capacity strengthening

    Building skills, confidence, and leadership at the local level.

  3. 03
    Collaborative partnerships

    Working with governments, academia, civil society, funders, and alliances.

  4. 04
    Knowledge and evidence

    Using learning and research to inform better decisions.

  5. 05
    Adaptive approach

    Learning, adapting, and evolving with communities.

Results

What we aim to achieve together.

  1. 01
    Healthy landscapes

    Biodiversity conserved, ecosystems restored, climate resilience strengthened.

  2. 02
    Resilient communities

    Improved livelihoods, food security, health, culture, and well-being.

  3. 03
    Strong institutions

    Capable, accountable, and inclusive local institutions.

  4. 04
    Sustainable enterprises

    Community-owned enterprises that are viable, ethical, and biodiversity-positive.

  5. 05
    Empowered future generations

    Youth and children inspired and equipped to lead with stewardship and innovation.

How the model runs

From the village to the world.

Community-led forest biodiversity conservation, working from the village up to the global registry.

  1. 01Village

    Training and capacity building for village management committees, so that villages conserve and manage their own forest biodiversity.

  2. 02Landscape and state

    Working at the landscape level with the state forum of Community Conserved Areas (CCAs) and other forest committee federations.

  3. 03National

    A working group member for indigenous and community conserved territories across India.

  4. 04Global

    On the steering committee of the international registry that records community conserved territories.

Five areas of work

Every initiative sits in at least one of these.

The same five areas organise the What we do menu. Open any page to read the whole story.

01

Climate Action

Restoring forest and building resilience to a changing climate, from native tree planting to the seed that farmers will need next.

02

Biodiversity Conservation

Conserving one corner of the Indo-Burma Biodiversity Hotspot through the institutions and the education that keep it standing.

03

Community Enterprise

Rural livelihoods and collective entrepreneurship through the cooperative and the nature-based enterprises around it.

04

Indigenous Governance

Strengthening the village institutions that govern land and forest under customary law.

05

Carbon Financing

Community-owned carbon projects that pay for restoration and return the income to the village.

Where the work is

128 villages, and the ranges between them.

Every line of work Kenono runs, placed on the map. Select a line to light its sites.

Tseminyu DistrictTseminyu TownTseminyu VillageSendenyuTuensang DistrictAngangbaZunheboto DistrictKohima DistrictKiphire DistrictGailiPeren DistrictMokokchungDimapurKarbi AnglongASSAMMYANMARMANIPUR
Kenono Foundation

128 villages.

5,490 households and 30,262 people across 128 villages, covering about 12,000 ha of Community Conserved Area (CCA) landscape, with 36 CCAs documented on the South Asia portal.

Sites are placed approximately. District rings mark landscape-wide work; dots mark a village, town, or venue.