LAHEL / GAMADJI SARÉ MUNICIPALITY – PODOR DEPARTMENT
On March 2, 2026, an international delegation visited the headquarters of REDES, the Network for the Emergence of the Sahel Ecovillages, located in Lahel, in the commune of Gamadji Saré, Podor Department, in northern Senegal.
The visitors were welcomed by Dr. Ousmane Aly Pam, President of REDES, and explored a vast area of several hectares that has been transformed into a true ecological regeneration space. Once affected by the advancement of the desert, the area is now covered with shady trees, fruit species, and diverse crops. This transformation is a clear testament to sustained land restoration work.
The visit is part of a long-standing partnership with the Earth Rights Institute, whose Executive Director was visiting Senegal for the fourth time. Since 2009, this active collaboration has supported the ecovillage movement and initiatives focused on regenerating lands affected by climate change and unsustainable development models.
The initiative, praised by international partners, highlights an approach based on community engagement and international cooperation. In Lahel, the results are visible. Once-arid lands are being restored, offering a concrete model of resilience in the face of climate challenges.
The REDES approach is rooted in strong local mobilization, independent of large institutional programs, and centered on solidarity, knowledge sharing, and the sustainable restoration of ecosystems.
Through this powerful transformation, the Sahel demonstrates that another path is possible: one built on sustainable, inclusive development and renewed hope for future generations.