Evaluation & Design Services

 

Edhen offers holistic design services, thanks to strategic partnerships with world-class experts. We deliver locally adapted designs of multifunctional farming, living and learning systems.

Edhen is well experienced in holistic farm evaluation and planning, having worked on various projects in European and African countries. Our holistic approach aims at a synergistic advancement of the social, agroforestry, architectural & economic – systems. Hence, we collaborate with various partners including farmers, scientists, architects, engineers and other related experts.

Edhen engages closely with development partners and local communities at all phases of the development process from site evaluation, master planning and design to implementation and monitoring.

Whole System Design

Our Evaluation, Design & Monitoring Process

  • The first step of our regenerative development process is holistic evaluation.
  • Followed by the actual design of the co-identified development opportunities.
  • With various options for implementation.
  • Monitoring, learning & adjustment is the final and long-term step.

Holistic Evaluation

Holistic evaluation is the first step, to assess local knowledge, resources and expectations. Most of our work begins with a site visit or an online meeting. Then, depending on the sector and size of your project we apply various evaluation methods.

Design & Implementation

Here starts the actual design. Based on the holistic evaluation of the local context, we recommend new strategies and regenerative technologies. Some cases may need smaller targeted interventions to advance the whole system, others may require a more fundamental (re) design. Towards a balanced and synergistic advancement of the social, agroforestry, architectural & economic – systems.

SOCIAL SOLUTIONS

We support the evolution of mindful leadership and the improvement of family farmers’ well-being. Mindful leadership and effective collaboration are key for sustainably managing regenerative farms. And to improve the quality of life and working conditions of all family and staff members.

AGROFORESTRY SOLUTIONS

We support the integration of trees into agricultural landscapes, in the context of achieving the SDGs and Paris Agreement commitments. To significantly increase food production, restore landscapes, address climate change & conserve biodiversity.

ARCHITECTURAL SOLUTIONS

We (re) design people and place specific building-landscape systems. The basic factors informing our whole system design are the local landscape characteristics. To optimize water management and solar orientation, towards sustainable water and energy supply.

ECONOMIC SOLUTIONS

Edhen is dedicated to support the economic and social development of family-farms, businesses and cooperatives. Following a circular economy approach we support the development of profitable businesses with a strong social and environmental purpose.

Implementation

When the design is ready, there are three options for implementation:

  • Implementation by experts from the Edhen network and selected local partners.
  • Your team and/ or partners feel confident to implement the co-developed solutions.
  • A mix of both, your team makes the implementation with regular backstopping and technical advice by Edhen experts.

Monitoring, learning & adjustment

The establishment of complex ecosystems require close observation and adjustments, until the ecosystem takes care of itself. Edhen recommends regular and holistic monitoring, to timely respond to environmental, social and economic feedbacks. For international projects, we commonly provide the required observation methods, as regular monitoring visits are not always possible.