The protection and sustainable management of forests within the biosphere reserve was accompanied by the active promotion of Participatory Forest Management (PFM) and integration of PFM user groups into the trade with wild coffee and honey. The following activities were conducted:

1. Implement Participatory Forest Management in the region with the help of local authorities
2. Record data on activities of NGOs active in the environmental sector in the regions Kafa, Sheka, Bench Maji, Yayu. Identify possible partners for the upscaling of the coffee & honey value chain
3. Establish cooperation with Biosphere reserve authorities to strengthen PFM support within BR boundaries
4. Assess the existing PFM user groups, analysing and recording their potential to supply wild coffee and honey and their administrative structures.
5. Select existing best performing PFM user groups in wild coffee collection and honey processing.

The conservation aspect through the PFM aims at the sustainable use of the natural resource base and contributes as such to the preservation of biodiversity in one of the 34 internationally identified “biodiversity hotspots”.

The partnership was set up by using a multi-stakeholder approach involving a wide range of actors such as communities from the regions, private partners from Germany (Original Food), local administration and public authorities (e.g. Ethiopian Wildlife Conservation Authority) as well as partners from civil society (NABU, GEO Protects the Rainforest) and international partners (GIZ on behalf of BMZ). The partnership took advantage of the specialized know-how and networks of its members combining knowledge about local production, international quality standards, administrative procedures, capacity development and process advice.

A cooperative structure was set up jointly with local administrations helping farmers to export the forest products. Now, the majority of smallholders is organised in cooperatives and the project partners work closely with unions to establish a quality assurance system for the supply chains.

Both the smallholders and the employees of the cooperatives and unions receive trainings to extend their knowledge and take over the tasks in the new value chains. The economic activities were accompanied by several social projects such as family planning, youth centres HIV/AIDS prevention initiatives etc.

Clearly-defined and mutually agreed relationship between Johor State government through J-Biotech and Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) in the Giant Clam project. Memoranda of understanding were signed twice during this partnership. The first phase of the Giant Clam Project (1998-2001) and phase two of the programme (2008-2011) has been succesfully carried out. 

Partnerships for increasing productivity and better financial management are shown through J-Biotech as Johor states represantative to provide financial, conservation area and manpower, while USM is known to champion mollucs breeding not only in the nation but also in the region.

The success survival of the juvenile of Tridacna Gigas has shown clear success for the juvenile to survive. Now, the juvenile has ready to breed. The next phase is artificial breeding. We are hoping for the chances of producing daughter populations.

Scientists, who have been monitoring the area before it was closed, estimate a 500% increase in biomass within the area since the closure. The area, previously covered with sea urchins, is now a thriving biodiversity hotspot with the balance restored. The elders report new species in the MPA that have not been seen in living memory. The coral, previously destroyed by human feet, has recovered quickly and the lagoon area is now known as one of the best snorkelling destinations on the Kenyan coast. Local and international students come and learn in our living marine classroom. Turtles feed on the seagrass beds undisturbed, and the number of nests has increased significantly. The area has returned from being a marine desert to a marine paradise and a critical model globally that shows how a poor community can help conserve nature and benefit from it too. Bigger and better catches outside the MPA has ensured support for the permanent closure.

The purpose of designing cage to be undertaken is to abate identified threats from predators.  Young clams are highly vulnerable to crabs (e.g. Thalamita spp., Demania spp.) that use their chelae to crush the shell valves; wrasses (Halichoeres spp.) feed on the byssus and foot of unanchored clams; and pyramidellid and ranellid snails are parasitic (Alcazar 1986). Tooth marks on the outer shell surfaces are indicative of attacks by grazing reef fish (Stasek 1965). For older clams, potential predators include eagle rays, turtles and large benthivorous fish (Bustard 1972; Govan et al. 1993), but their impact is reduced as the clams grow towards escape size (Adams et al. 1988).This is an explanation of why different cage design have been selected.

By working with the people’s organizations and fish wardens, the communities were sensitized on the negative effects of illegal fishing, unregulated mangrove cutting and as well as the hazards brought about by climate change.  SIKAT , a non-government organization and a member of the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network, conducts workshops and provides support to the community organizations . They develop and distribute Information, Education, Communication (IEC) materials and distribute them to the communities to transfer knowledge and promote environment protection and conservation.   Surigao State College of Technology also mobilizes their students and faculties to do climate change related researches and to develop climate-resilient technologies for fishers and farmers, aside from conducting capacity building and public awareness raising activities on climate change. 

The local government unit (LGU) in Siargao Island recognized the importance of involving the communities in the implementation of adaptation strategies to ensure sustainability, and for the communities to own the responsibility in the care of their natural resources. The mayor of Del Carmen organized  fish wardens from among the local fisherfolk, trained and deputized them to enforce the fisheries laws and ordinances.  He also organized people’s organization at the village level and trained and deputized them to manage the marine protected areas, and to carry out alternative livelihood activities. Empowering these groups , through trainings other government agencies and from Sentro Para sa Ikauunland ng Katutubong Agham at Teknolohiya (SIKAT), a non-government organization implementing community-based coastal resource management and disaster risk reduction programs meant that they will be able to effectively carry out their tasks and responsibilities with minimal supervision from the LGU, and ensure the success in the implementation of adaptation strategies.  

The municipality of Del Carmen showed that it is serious in the implementation of fisheries law and ordinances when it organized the fish wardens and the People's Organizations (POs) in all its villages.  The local government and the Center for the Development of Indigenous Science and Technology or locally known as SIKAT, a non-government organization and a member of the Locally Managed Marine Area (LMMA) Network,  provide the fish wardens support in form of training, honorarium and provision of supplies.  The fish wardens , in partnership with law enforcers, are instrumental in the apprehension of illegal fishers and illegal mangrove cutters and in significantly lowering down the number fishermen practicing said illegal activities.  The people’s organizations were also trained and deputized by the LGU and were instrumental in the protection of designated protected areas. Sugba Lagoon likewise became a “no-fishing” zone. These efforts helped in slowly restoring the marine resources of Sugba Lagoon, and of Del Carmen.

Through community consultations, the LGU  and non-government organizations regularly update the communities on policies and reminds them of the possible impact if the lagoon is degraded.  Dialogue on issues and discussions on solutions happen during these community consultations.  Information,  Education and Communication materials in brochure form are handed out and posters are placed in strategic locations. 

The active participation of organized community groups like DECATPOA , a People's Organization (PO) from Caub village where the lagoon is, and BACAMA, a PO composed of fisherfolk is crucial in this community-based venture.  Both POs were registered with the Security and Exchange Commission, were trained and deputized by the LGU to do environmental management, particularly management of marine protected areas. SIKAT, a non-government organization with significant years of experience in community-based coastal resource management trained them on basic ecology and provided them training and support on Marine Protected Area Management. Both POs have clearly defined organizational set-up, system of rules, defined roles and clear objective on sustaining resource management.