Interwoven Waters: Art, Nature, and Community Conservation in East Africa

Project description

Interwoven Waters is a cross-disciplinary project exploring the connections between people, food, water, and the environment in the Lake Victoria Basin through a blend of research, participatory art, and policy engagement.

The project began in September 2024 with a stakeholder workshop in Siaya, Kenya, bringing together local community representatives, scientists, government officials, and NGO representatives to explore pressing environmental challenges in Western Kenya and opportunities for natural solutions.

Since then, the project has engaged in:

• Filming of local stakeholders, environmental change, and cultural practices tied to rivers and wetlands
• Participatory art workshops in Yala Swamp and Kakamega Forest regions, involving communities in storytelling, weaving, and painting
• Stakeholder dialogues supporting mutual learning and bridging scientific, policy, and grassroots knowledge

These efforts will culminate in:

• A short film capturing personal and environmental narratives from across the basin
• A photography exhibition in Kisumu on 5 April 2025
• A symposium, exhibition opening, and film screening in Brussels on 6 June 2025
• A policy brief co-developed with stakeholders
• Academic and public-facing publications that share findings, reflections, and recommendations, with a focus on integrated resource management, Nature-based Solutions, and participatory activities for environmental stewardship

The project aims to support inclusive dialogue and informed action for integrated basin management, drawing attention to both local lived experiences and system-wide ecological interconnections.