Community Designed Restoration (CDR)
A Locally-Led Model
Transforming Lives and Land Globally
Community Designed Restoration (CDR) integrates economic development, environmental restoration, and community empowerment, simultaneously addressing the root causes of poverty and deforestation within a watershed.
The Purpose of CDR
Thriving People. Increase the long-term economic and social well-being of rural farming families.
- Improve Food Security by increasing agricultural production through agroforestry, tree growing, and regenerative farming.
- Prioritize Local Leadership by fostering community ownership and widespread behavior change rooted in local values.
Healthy Ecosystems. Revitalize land through planting and growing appropriate trees, in turn increasing biodiversity, fostering environmental resilience, and ensuring the availability of vital ecosystem services such as sufficient clean water and fertile soil.
Climate Resilience. Build the resilience of the environment and all its residents against the worsening impacts of climate change.
Restored Relationships. Our goal is to help restore relationships between people and themselves, others, their environment, and their Creator.
A Uniquely Effective Approach
Community Designed Restoration is applied within the context of identified Watersheds built on a foundation of neighborhood small groups we call Purpose Groups.
The Watershed Model
Life in a watershed is interconnected. What happens upstream impacts those downstream. From neighborhoods, to markets, to schools and churches, the lives of those in a watershed are also connected. Program adoption rates average about 60% of the residents in a watershed, however 100% of the watershed experience a reduction in poverty. Churches and Schools also support the change. Ecosystems are restored and deforestation is reversed—the benefits to a community are long term.
Purpose Groups
Community-based and locally-led, Purpose Groups are the foundation of the watershed model, bringing neighbors together to learn, collaborate, and encourage one another. Purpose Groups have four components:
Soil health and crop yields are increased through the training and application of regenerative agriculture techniques. These schools are collaborative with both the trainer and farmer sharing knowledge and practice
Learn more about our regenerative agriculture training.Economic resilience, self-reliance, and growth opportunities are formed through community savings groups.
Learn more about our economic empowerment model.Ecosystems are restored by growing trees and protecting the soil.
Learn more about our global reforestation efforts.Discipleship curriculum and partnership with local churches elevates the value of people, environmental stewardship, work, and community.
Learn more about our approach to spiritual renewal.
