GetCare Foundation has officially launched RECLAIM — Restoring Ecosystems and Communities through Land Agroforestry and Inclusive Mining Models, a flagship initiative designed to address one of Ghana’s most pressing development challenges: the intersection of land degradation, informal mining economies, and rural livelihood vulnerability.
RECLAIM is not a standalone project. It is a systems-based initiative under GetCare’s Rural Economic Transition System (RETS)—an integrated framework that supports communities to move from survival economies to structured and regenerative economies. Through RECLAIM, GetCare Foundation is advancing a scalable model that combines ecological restoration, economic transition, and market-led agricultural development.
The Challenge
Across Ghana, large areas of land degraded by unsustainable mining practices remain ecologically damaged, economically unproductive, and socially fragile. At the same time: Thousands depend on informal mining as a primary source of income; Alternative livelihoods remain limited or unstructured; Restoration efforts are often fragmented and disconnected from economic systems.
RECLAIM addresses this gap by positioning land restoration as a driver of rural economic transformation, not just an environmental intervention.
Across Ghana, large areas of land degraded by unsustainable mining practices remain ecologically damaged, economically unproductive, and socially fragile. At the same time: Thousands depend on informal mining as a primary source of income; Alternative livelihoods remain limited or unstructured; Restoration efforts are often fragmented and disconnected from economic systems.
RECLAIM addresses this gap by positioning land restoration as a driver of rural economic transformation, not just an environmental intervention.
The RECLAIM Model
RECLAIM delivers an integrated approach built on five core pillars aligned with the RETS framework:
1. Land Restoration and Ecological Recovery: Rehabilitation of degraded landscapes using nature-based solutions, including soil restoration, agroforestry systems, and biodiversity regeneration.
2. Livelihood Transition Pathways: Structured transition of individuals from informal mining into viable, income-generating alternatives, including climate-smart agriculture and rural enterprises.
3. Production Stabilisation Deployment of inputs, training, and extension systems to ensure consistent productivity and reduce vulnerability to shocks.
4. Market Integration: Creation of structured offtake systems and partnerships to ensure reliable demand, price stability, and commercial viability.
5. Local Enterprise Development: Support for community-based enterprises and value addition to anchor long-term economic resilience.
RECLAIM delivers an integrated approach built on five core pillars aligned with the RETS framework:
1. Land Restoration and Ecological Recovery: Rehabilitation of degraded landscapes using nature-based solutions, including soil restoration, agroforestry systems, and biodiversity regeneration.
2. Livelihood Transition Pathways: Structured transition of individuals from informal mining into viable, income-generating alternatives, including climate-smart agriculture and rural enterprises.
3. Production Stabilisation Deployment of inputs, training, and extension systems to ensure consistent productivity and reduce vulnerability to shocks.
4. Market Integration: Creation of structured offtake systems and partnerships to ensure reliable demand, price stability, and commercial viability.
5. Local Enterprise Development: Support for community-based enterprises and value addition to anchor long-term economic resilience.
Post-Reclamation Land Use and Sustainability Plan
A critical component of RECLAIM is its post-reclamation land use strategy, ensuring that restored lands remain productive, protected, and economically viable over the long term. Reclaimed lands are transitioned into:
- Agroforestry systems (e.g., cocoa, mango, and other tree crops integrated with annual crops)
- Structured community-managed production zones
- Market-linked agricultural landscapes tied to formal value chains
This approach prevents re-degradation, secures land productivity, and embeds restoration within sustainable economic use systems, rather than temporary rehabilitation.
Funding Model and Financial Sustainability
RECLAIM operates through a multi-stakeholder implementation model, engaging: Government institutions responsible for environmental management and land use Traditional authorities and local governance systems Research and technical partners Private sector actors across agricultural value chains This ensures regulatory alignment, technical rigor, and community ownership.
As restoration scales, RECLAIM is positioned to unlock climate finance opportunities, including carbon-linked mechanisms tied to agroforestry and soil restoration. This approach is further strengthened through public–private partnerships, long-term offtake arrangements, and the mobilisation of development finance and impact investment, enabling the platform to transition from grant-supported implementation to a self-sustaining, commercially viable rural economic system.
Institutional Approach and Partnerships
RECLAIM operates through a multi-stakeholder implementation model, engaging:
- Government institutions responsible for environmental management and land use
- Traditional authorities and local governance systems
- Research and technical partners
- Private sector actors across agricultural value chains
This ensures regulatory alignment, technical rigor, and community ownership.
National and Global Relevance
RECLAIM contributes directly to Ghana’s national priorities on land restoration, climate resilience, and sustainable land management, including alignment with the country’s REDD+ strategy and broader environmental policy frameworks. At the global level, the initiative supports key development priorities under the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Beyond policy alignment, RECLAIM provides a practical and scalable model for linking ecological restoration with inclusive economic growth, demonstrating how environmental recovery can be integrated with livelihood development and market systems.
Scale and Long-Term Vision
RECLAIM is designed as a long-term national transition platform, with a target to restore up to 20,000 hectares of degraded land by 2035. Beyond land restoration, the platform aims to:
- Transition thousands of individuals into sustainable livelihoods
- Build structured rural economies around restored landscapes
- Establish replicable models for other regions and countries
An Opportunity for Strategic Partnership
GetCare Foundation is currently engaging:
- Development finance institutions
- Climate and environmental funds
- Foundations and philanthropic partners
- Research and technical institutions
- Private sector actors
Learn More
Explore the RECLAIM platform and partnership opportunities: www.getcarefoundation.org
