Grace Stead ICLEI Representative
Belinda Mills ICLEI representative
ICLEI is the leading global network of more than 1,500 cities, towns and regions committed to building a sustainable future.
Bafut municipality is in partnership with the ICLEI network to become a sustainable, low-carbon, resilient, bio diverse, resource-efficient, productive, healthy and happy, transitioned city, with a green economy and smart all round infrastructure.
ICLEI consultants Belinda Mills and Grace Stead from South Africa recently visited Bafut and
since their timing coincided with the EDE (Ecovillage Design Education) , they chose to stay for a few days at Ndanifor Permaculture Ecovillage and experience the demonstration site first hand .
Being around our program gave them insight into what Bafut ecovillage is aiming for and a chance to meet Better World members who work with Bafut council on planning and implementation of Climate change adaptation programs.
They were here to meet with Bafut Council, to carry out feasibility studies and to facilitate a three day training workshop on the execution and management of projects for Local Governments for Sustainability.
The presence of GEN (Global Ecovillage) CEO Kosha Joubert, who was leading the training at Ndanifor Permaculture Ecovillage, gave opportunity for their organizations to gain understanding of goals and steps for Bafut Ecovillage 2020.
BWC staff with ECLEI Representatives, GEN CEO and Bafut Secretary General
Better World staff and Bafut Council representatives accompanied the consultants as they met Bafut Mayor Langsi, the District Officer, the principal of COTECC and the Fon of Bafut.
Grace and Belinda made a short introductory presentation to members of Bafut council, engaging them in an entertaining exercise followed by a short slide show on the impacts of climate change.
Later some local entrepeneurs involved in renewable energy projects; solar street lighting, bio gas applications and water access using solar pumping, gave presentations and discussed possible alliances. 
A packed program left little time for socializing, but in a short breakfast interview Grace shared: “ I think that Bafut Ecovillage is a shining example for other villages all over Africa to show, really, what can be done, how it can be done.”
