Project Title
"Re-launching and Support for the Africa Node of the Mountain Forum"

Project Goal
African mountain communities and organizations are empowered with information and communication support that enables sustainable development in mountain regions.

Project Purpose
Better communication and information support for mountain people, groups and organizations in Africa.

Project Background/Rationale
The Mountain Forum (MF) is one of the instruments of Agenda 21 and the Johannesburg Chapter 14 to enable better communication and provide better information support for mountain people. The MF has its headquarters at ICIMOD in Nepal, and had active nodes spread in each of the major continents except in Africa. For this purpose, AHI and the GMP joined forces in 2005 to re-establish the Africa Node with the support CIDA/CFA. The program supports a node manager with modest funds to run the activities. In the past year a node manager was engaged and trained. It has updated membership, managed active global and Africa-wide e-consultations on mountain issues and plans to collect and avail tools and information to individuals, communities and organizations working on development and conservation initiatives in mountainous regions of Africa.

Project Nature
Non CGS project

Participating Countries and Institutions
Global and Regional Organizations: African Highlands Initiative (AHI), Global Mountain Program (GMP), Mountain Forum (MF), World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), International Potato Centre (CIP)
Participating Countries: Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Uganda
Members: Current members 24 institutions and 128 individuals as of January 2006; target membership of 100 institutions and 5,000 individuals by 2007

Duration and Status
2005 to 2007 (ongoing)

Source of Funding
Global Mountain Program (GMP) CIDA/CFA