ReGeneration
Vibrant coastal ecosystems. Climate resilient communities.
Along the shores of the Indian Ocean, generations have lived by the rhythm of the tides – fishing, farming, trading and shaping cultures deeply connected to the coast.
Today, the two billion people who live along these coastlines face a shared crisis. Climate change, environmental degradation and economic pressures are placing unprecedented strain on both livelihoods and the ecosystems that sustain them, including vital mangrove forests.
Adaptation and resilience have never been more urgent.
ReGeneration is a 10-year initiative led by the Aga Khan Foundation. It unites communities, governments, researchers and partners, building on decades of progress and learning from those who have lived on these shores for generations.
Driven by a network of local climate champions, ReGeneration brings together ecosystem restoration and economic opportunity – creating a cycle where thriving livelihoods and healthy coastlines sustain one another.
Working across the Indian Ocean region, ReGeneration will protect and restore 150,000 hectares of coastal habitat, expand access to clean water and energy and strengthen sustainable livelihoods.
We aim to mobilise $500 million in co-investment to scale solutions, share knowledge and build a future in which people and the environments they depend on thrive – now and for generations to come.
Our approach
ReGeneration supports seven core priorities, tailored depending on the specific needs of each unique community.
Where we work
From East Africa to South Asia, ReGeneration works in geographies home to globally significant coastal ecosystems – and to communities most exposed to the threats of climate change. This includes farming communities living further inland whose livelihoods are connected to the coast.
Why it matters
The shores of the Indian Ocean are home to over 2 billion people, many of whom depend on coastal ecosystems for food, livelihoods and culture.
Mangrove forests have special significance for both people and planet:
- 47% of the world’s mangroves are found in the Indian Ocean region
- Mangroves store carbon at up to 4 times the rate of tropical rainforests
- Mangroves store an estimated 838 million tonnes of CO₂, equivalent to more than 1.9 billion barrels of oil
- Restoration efforts could sequester an additional 327,000 tonnes of CO₂ annually
A local fisherman is rowing his ‘pirogue’ (dug out canoe) in the early morning, passing by mangroves in Maintirano, western Madagascar.
Photo: Grégoire Imberty / AKF
Khadija, a mangrove conservationist in Kwale, Kenya, prepares a mangrove seedling for planting – helping to restore the local area’s declining mangrove forests.
Photo: Kerensa Keevill / AKF
Women from Msangamkuu village, Tanzania, gather seaweed from the shore to add to their handmade soap. The seaweed is propagated by attaching small pieces of seaweed to a length of nylon rope and leaving the rope in the sea for the seaweed to grow larger.
Photo: Rich Townsend / AKF
Bhikhubhai Sindhav, a farmer, practices regenerative farming in Gujarat, India. Here he is spraying his crops with a bio-pesticide he has made using animal waste and plants that grow around his farm.
Photo: Christopher Wilton-Steer / AKF
Boats rest by the shore in Pemba, Mozambique.
Photo: Rich Townsend / AKF
Mangroves from above, Mombasa, Kenya.
Photo: Humberto Caldas / AKF
An integrated crab and fish pond in Sindh, Pakistan, supporting sustainable coastal livelihoods for local communities.
Photo: Zulfiqar Khan / AKF
To reduce deforestation and respiratory issues caused by smoke inhalation, AKF trains young people how to construct upgraded cookstoves for local communities in Gazi Bay, Kenya.
Photo: Christopher Wilton-Steer / AKF
Laxmiben, a member of a mangrove conservation group from Gandhavi Village in Gujarat, India. Laxmiben and her group are working to restore degraded mangroves along the coast.
Photo: Christopher Wilton-Steer / AKF
Dhows – traditional sailing boats and iconic symbols of the Indian Ocean – at sunset in Stone Town, Zanzibar.
Photo: Christopher Wilton-Steer / AKF
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Our history in the Indian Ocean
AKF and the wider Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) have deep roots in the Indian Ocean region, shaped by decades of investment in education, health, culture and economic development.
This enduring presence is at the heart of ReGeneration. AKF has built long-term partnerships with communities, governments and institutions – developing a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing coastal regions.
Through the broader AKDN – spanning universities, hospitals, businesses and cultural programmes – ReGeneration draws on a unique breadth of expertise and global partnerships to deliver impact at scale.
"We have a shared responsibility to care for our oceans, which cover three quarters of the Earth's surface. As part of the fight against climate change, our institutions are helping to ensure the protection of these precious natural resources."His Highness the Aga Khan – UN Oceans Conference 2025
Coastal stories
Read and watch stories about our work so far across the Indian Ocean:
- The Indian Ocean: How can coastal communities adapt to a rapidly changing environment?
- Madagascar’s Barren Isles: Responding to the climate crisis in one of the most remote places on Earth
- “The mangrove forest belongs to the community”: Working with nature to protect livelihoods and boost climate resilience
- How regenerative farming is helping Kenyan farmers combat climate change
- “The money we used for chemicals, we now use for food”: How regenerative farming is improving food security and building climate resilience in Madagascar
- Farming for the future: Josefina’s story
- BBC StoryWorks produces new film for AKF, exploring women-led mangrove restoration in Mozambique (watch below)
Join the movement
If you are a technical, funding, research or community partner and are interested in supporting ReGeneration, we want to hear from you.
Partners
The following list of partners represents a selection supporting ReGeneration and is not exhaustive.
Support our work Your donations are helping us build a future where we all thrive together.