This building block involved facilitating dialogues between previously siloed actors: government agencies, research, local people, etc. When the gaps between sectors are addressed before solution implementation, diverse voices and opinions can be considered and the solutions developed are often more readily implemented and accepted.  

The main threats to the park emanate from the combination of a lack of a true buffer zone and widespread poverty surrounding the park. VNP’s Community Partnership Programme has therefore identified priorities as mitigating crop damage caused by wild animals and establishing new livelihoods for communities. 862 community members organized in cooperatives are involved in park conservation activities and tourism. 262 porters benefit as temporary staff, who earn between $12 to $25 per day to carry visitors' belongings during gorilla viewing and hiking.

As a means of reducing forest resources dependence, we have provided alternative income generating activities, through the establishment of fuel wood plantations and fuel efficient stove adoption, support for developing bamboo propagation and processing outside the park, and support for rainwater harvesting systems. We also developed alternative agriculture options such as identifying crops that are economically viable but not targeted by wildlife crop-raiding.

In 2007, a 1-meter-high stone buffalo wall was completed that spans the entire 76km border of VNPto reduce crop damage by wild animals by Rwanda Development board. We encourage the local community to constantly maintain it.

The Tourism Revenue Sharing (TRS) program was introduced by the Rwanda Development Board with the aim to share a percentage of the total tourism park revenues with the communities living around.

The TRS is one of the most progressive and successful community programmes. The goal of revenue sharing is to reduce illegal activities in the park and improve the living conditions of the communities by providing alternatives to park resources and compensation to farmers for the loss of productivity due to wildlife crop raiding. Between 2005 and 2010, $536,665 went to community projects through the revenue sharing programme. In May 2017, revenue sharing was increased from 5% to 10% of gross tourism revenues earned by our Rwanda Development board.

The main focus of spending has been on infrastructure such as schools, water tanks, health centres and sanitation. 

Red Rocks Initiative took the opportunity of the TSR funding to establish Community cooperatives. We embarked on intensive training and skilling on making a lot of art and handicraft products, depicting rich diverse Rwanda Culture, Agro-business, Youth Talent. At the end, even those who used to poach understand the benefits of tourism.

Sensitisation of the local and indigenous population is a key element in preventing major outbreaks of epidemics such as Ebola, anthrax or respiratory diseases. The direct and extended target group of the project includes staff of the primate habituation programme and their families, tourist guides, ecoguards, researchers, project staff, tourists and indirectly the local population.

Human Health Care - Conservation and ecotourism staff and their families receive an annual health check-up and vaccinations. In addition, access to health care for the general population was strengthened through cheaper or free health care in health stations and hospitals. A mobile unit was also set up to provide initial health care in remote locations.

Awareness raising - Radio programmes about zoonotic and infectious diseases have been designed to reach a broader audience. To target the indigenous population, an educational film was produced in local languages, and an indigenous youth organisation developed interactive theater plays to sensitize communities about infectious diseases and preventive measures.

Training - Health staff from 13 health stations in Dzanga-Sangha were trained through simulations to appropriately react in case of (epidemic) disease outbreaks.

Through a fully functioning integrated health monitoring system for people, habitat and habituated apes and other wildlife, an early warning system was created. The aim is to detect prevalent diseases early and prevent its spreading within wildlife or human population through improved collaboration with public health and civil society actors. The Health monitoring system comprises:

Health condition of habituated gorillas are monitored daily. The Primate Habituation Programme was started by WWF back in 1997 and is one of the main pillars of the conservation work in Dzanga-Sangha ever since. Habituation has started in Campo Ma'an since 4 years. 

A variety of methods are used to investigate the spread of zoonotic pathogens in the natural habitat, such as collecting monthly faecal and urine samples from the gorillas and, less frequently, from mangabeys, collecting vectors such as carrion flies, and regularly taking swab and necropsy samples from carcasses. These are then analysed in the field laboratory.

Conservation and ecotourism employees and their families receive annual health checkups and vaccinations, and are closely monitored in suspected cases.

Local researchers are the most important actors in the implementation of this project. 

The project involved experienced researchers and professors based in 8 universities which were organized in 6 regional teams in the North, Northeast, Central, East, South, and Deep South. 

Although they come from various disciplines, most of their research interests are focused on development, at the local, provincial, and regional levels. They have insights on local problems, social capital and close connections with different stakeholders in the region. They came into this project with expertise covering some issues within the localization and implementation of the SDGs, and curiosity to learn more and utilize the Global Goals for promoting their local agenda.

The SMN was launched in September 2020, to offer trained Social Mediation the opportunity to have an accessible forum through which to exchange experience, raise concerns and ask for advice from more experienced Social Mediators. Moreover, based on their local experience, they can provide feedback for future opportunities and take initiatives in the context of the existing Social Mediators’ Network, to maximise sustainability, self-learning, empowerment and inclusion. The SMN uses a horizontal structure so that any member can take their own initiatives and present them to the group. Logistical support for the Network is offered by ICLAIM.

The association A-TANYI was formed after several meetings were held with the communities, to raise the awareness on the importance of seagrass. Association members, including women, engage in protecting and managing the restored seagrass meadows.

The seagrass restoration project had, at its onset, a social scientist who helped with collecting data related to perception of seagrass, with steering the discussions with NGOs, and with leading the awareness raising campaigns and formalization of initial thoughts about the need for managing the seagrass meadows.

The rod method was the main restoration method that we implemented. It was selected given its relatively higher survival rate (around 2/3) of the restored modules of one rod of seagrasses. 

The rod method is a manual sediment free method for seagrass restoration, which consists in the use of a wire stick or rod, where seagrass is tied and attached to the ground. The wire is bent and both ends are anchored in the soil, forming a so called rod. Seagrass modules (2-3 shoots united with the same rhizome) are attached to the rod. These rod structures are fully degradable after just over a year.

In Inhambane, we tested a palm leave nerve as a rod, as described as tségua method, having the disadvantage to be a highly time consuming restoration method.