In the forest region of Guinea, a team led by Nicolas Delamou undertook a mission that would be a game-changer for local ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. Through innovations in agroforestry and water resources management, this story details the successes, challenges, and above all, the passion and perseverance of Nicolas and his team.
Nicolas adopted a holistic approach to face the challenges of deforestation and pollution.
“Our goal was to reconcile man with nature, by transforming agricultural practices and establishing effective conservation methods,”
he explains, emphasizing the importance of an integrated strategy.
Nicolas and his team have initiated agroforestry projects, combining food crops and forest trees to enrich biodiversity and improve soils. “We have seen degraded land come back to life, offering new economic prospects to farmers,” says Nicolas.
Recognizing the vital importance of water, the team launched initiatives for its preservation.
“Through awareness campaigns, we have reduced pollution and promoted the sustainable use of water, thus ensuring the sustainability of resources for future generations,”
shares Nicolas.
The involvement of local communities has been a pillar of their success.
“Change can only be lasting if it comes from the community itself. We have worked hand in hand with the populations, establishing dialogue and mutual respect,”
underlines Nicolas.
Mossi Moni, Chairperson of the Local Consultative Committee of Pkoda, testifies that "Thanks to the commitment of Nicolas and his team, we adopted agroforestry, thus improving our plant cover and our resilience to climate change." As for Committee member Tiene Kolovogui:
“The training and technical assistance we received has been transformative. We are now growing coffee and cocoa sustainably, thanks to the methods introduced by the project.”
The story of Nicolas Delamou and his team in the landscapes of Ziama, Diecké, and Nimba Mountains is a powerful testimony to what is possible when determination, science, and cooperation come together. Efforts at ecological restoration and strengthening local livelihoods honor the natural beauty of forest landscapes and pave the way for a future where harmony between man and nature can be a palpable reality.
Through his words and actions, Nicolas and his team illustrate the crucial importance of community involvement and integrated resource management to achieve sustainability. His story inspires hope and demonstrates that every effort counts in the fight for a greener and fairer world.
About the project
The Mano River Union Ecosystem Conservation and International Water Resources Management (IWRM) Project covers four countries: Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The total area of the territory covered by the MRU is 751 450 km², distributed as follows: 71 740 km² for Sierra Leone, 111 370 km² for Liberia, 245 857 km² for Guinea and 322 462 km² for Côte d’Ivoire.
The project is implemented in the Upper Guinea forest covering Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia, and Cote d’Ivoire to strengthen the management of transboundary natural resources for sustained ecological benefits and improved livelihoods for the forest adjacent communities. The project will play a transformational role in the livelihoods of the communities living in the forest area covered by the project, enabling them to benefit from the ecosystem while not threatening it.
For more information on the project, please contact the Regional Coordinator, Abdoulaye Doumbia [adoumbia@mru.int, doumbia1959@gmail.com], and visit the decidate page on iwlearn.net or the project website.
© 2026 IW:LEARN
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