When the GBM was first formed it had five key elements that aided in its initial achievements:
- Wangari Maathai. She was a well educated and charismatic leader with elite privilege and contacts to many resources. Her hard work and dedication to her cause brought international attention and ultimately, some protection when the political regime was no longer on her side.
- Formalized and conceived through an existing government organization. In 1977 Maathai was elected to the Executive Committee of the National Council of Women of Kenya as a member of the Standing Committee on Environment and Habitat. Working with the Department of Forestry, the GBM was able to receive free seedlings until it grew to a more substantial size.
- Mobil Oil. Sponsored the second tree planting by donating 60 trees to a local high school. Provided initial seed money the organization desperately needed.
- International support. Maathai and her rapid success brought international attention from other nongovernmental organizations and international governments. Their backing helped fund the movement and leverage greater support when the political regime attempted to repress the movement. Maathai also networked with other global women’s leaders involved in social change and leaders in Kenya.
- The United Nations. The 1977 U.N. Conference on Desertification in Nairobi marks the foundation of the GMBs birth. With influences like Mother Teresa and Margaret Mead, Maathai wanted to move from a ceremonial tree planting to a mass community activity.
One of the most essential actors of the GBM is the everyday citizens. Without people to mobilize, the movement would have quickly faded. But, by building a strategy that is inherently expansionary, GBM provided a self-help model that quickly benefited the community. Tree growing and income generation boosted member interest, by word of mouth and observation, villages were quickly seeing the benefits and forming their own groups.
Other influential institutions throughout the GBM’s history includes:
INGOs and the grants offered.
Kenyan Army to gain access to remote area to plant trees.
Government of Kenya.
Other NGOs in Kenya
The United Nations