The organisational structure of the MSP can vary according to the agreed governance framework, but a common set-up includes a governance body and several working groups. The governance body usually comprises a chair and co-chairs, and a limited amount of members which should represent the stakeholder groups engaged in the MSP. 

The tasks of the body will be: 

• General steering 
• Holding accountability for strategic evolution 
• Overseeing the working groups 
• Reviewing strategic plans 
• Ensuring the engagement of stakeholders 
• Holding responsibility for continuous collaboration between platform & government (especially in terms of policy formation) 

Lumo conservancy rangers have partnered and collaborated with key organizations to enhance their operations and conservation activities. The conservancy has worked closely with the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) through join patrols and prosecution of poaching cases. Prompt response by the KWS rangers to calls by the conservancy rangers has been identified as one of the ingredients for high success rates in anti-poaching actions. Additionally, the conservancy rangers have adopted a community friendly approaches to conservancy operations including providing opportunities for the conservancy members to share without any victimization, information on planned/ongoing actions that may pose a threat the wellbeing of the conservancy

Conservancy rangers require a number of skills to be able to effectively provide security to people and wildlife and ensure positive human-wildlife interactions. Some of these skills include foot and arms drills, weaponry, bush craft and minor tactics, map reading and global positioning system (GPS), radio communication and IT, first aid and hygiene, physical training and human rights approaches to ranger operations. While Lumo Conservancy has made tremendous progress in sponsoring some of its rangers to The Kenya Wildlife Service Field Training School – Manyani, a significant number of the ranger population (52%) has not undergone the training in KWS training school hence not adequately equipped for optimal performance. Consequently, the conservancy rangers have undergone basic on-site ranger training offered by Ol Pajete conservancy and delivered by qualified practicing conservancy rangers/leaders. Additionally, the conservancy rangers have received a training on human rights approaches to ranger operations and activities. These trainings have built the capacity of rangers to effectively perform their roles and integrate human rights principles in their operations leading to improved respect and recognition of human rights as well as positive conservation outcomes as evidenced in the 70% reduction in poaching incidences.

Improvement of rangers’ capacity was made successful through provision of necessary equipment to enable their operations and conservation activities. Specifically, two motorcycles were procured during the project period and sufficient fuel allocation provided to enhance conservancy patrols. Other equipment provided included rangers’ uniforms, night vision torches to enhance patrols, and GPS enabled phones to enable data collection and processing.  The rangers’ welfare was also targeted during the period.  Initially, the conservancy rangers shared living spaces which denied most of them the necessary desired living conditions and standards. Six tents were procured to bridge the accommodation shortage. Additionally, rangers part-salaries was supported through the period to bridge the gap occasioned by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

To complete the surveys, each NGO had a team composed of a coordinator and technicians, the Fundacao Tartaruga’s team was composed of a coordinator and 2 field technicians and 2 drone pilots. Bios.CV and Cabo Verde Natura 2000 had teams composed of a coordinator and 2 technicians. The field teams always consisted of at least 3 members plus volunteers. During this project, they aimed to collect data on biodiversity, pressures, threats, species and climate impacts in the two protected areas, namely: Parque Natural do Norte and Reserva Natural de Tartaruga divided into 6 activities mentioned below:

1. Behavior and abundance of ravens 
2. Collection of fisheries and morphological data of Buzio Cabra
3. Monitoring of introduced and potentially invasive plant species
4. Study of the population of Phoenix Atlantica and Ficus Sycomorus 
5. Recording of human pressures and impacts
6. Collection of atmospheric climate data in communities

Each NGO participated and contributed equally to the field work element of the project. All participants took part in training and field visits to collect data. Each NGO was responsible for entering and processing the data, preparing reports and presenting the results of two of the monitoring methods. The final results were presented to various stakeholders during the IMET evaluation, which took place in November 2024.

A summary of each activity is provided below, and full reports for each activity are available.

A total of 139 trips were made to complete field work during the 5 months. 

• 19 for the recording of human pressures and impacts
• 25 for the study of the population of Phoenix Atlantica and Ficus Sycomorus 
• 28 for the behavior and abundance of ravens
• 19 for the collection of atmospheric climate data in communities
• 38 for the collection of fisheries and morphological data of Buzio Cabra
• 10 for the monitoring of introduced and potentially invasive plant species

All of the materials needed to implement the six defined monitoring methods were purchased. As Cabo Verde is an isolated achepelago, items needed to be brought from overseas. The three NGOs divided this equipment equally so that each organisation has its own set of equipment to be able to implement the six monitoring activities independently. In the planning phase we had defined 15 kits as the indicator value, however in reality, due to there being 6 monitoring activities implemented by 3 different NGOs, the total number of “kits” was 18 – 3 per monitoring activity.

Firebreaks are gaps in vegetation or other combustible material that act as barriers to slow or stop the progress of a wildfire. They can be man-made, for example, cleared strips of land. Firebreaks are strategically placed to protect not only valuable forest resources but also homes and other infrastructure. The effectiveness of firebreaks can be supplemented using early warning systems and predictive modeling. Early warning systems utilize technologies like remote sensing and satellite imagery to detect heat anomalies and smoke, while weather monitoring stations provide crucial data on temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. Ground-based sensors further enhance detection by monitoring environmental changes, and effective communication systems ensure timely dissemination of alerts to authorities and the public. Predictive modeling, on the other hand, uses data and algorithms to forecast fire behavior and spread. Fire behavior models simulate fire dynamics based on fuel type, topography, and weather, while machine learning algorithms analyze historical data to predict future fire occurrences. Coupled fire-atmospheric models integrate fire behavior with atmospheric conditions, offering a comprehensive understanding of fire-environment interactions. Risk assessment tools evaluate the potential impact of fires, aiding in resource allocation and protection prioritization. Together, these technologies enhance the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to wildfires, mitigating their impact on communities and ecosystems.

This involves engaging local communities in forest management and can be effective in any region where local populations depend on forest resources. These initiatives have granted communities secure land tenure and motivated them to manage forest resources effectively. By involving locals in forest stewardship, conditions have improved, and alternative income sources such as agroforestry and eco-tourism have been developed. The programs have increased community control and accountability in forest management, resulting in healthier forests and greater community engagement. Their success is largely due to robust local institutions, favorable policies, and ongoing capacity-building. Community participation in decision-making and resource-sharing has further enhanced forest conservation and improved livelihoods.

In order to recuperate the population of the species Crocodylus acutus, a "Head Start" pilot program was implemented, with support from IUCN specialists and based on experiences in other countries.  This program included training, supply of equipment and supplies and infrastructure with the construction of two neonatal shelters (pools).   This program is closely linked to the monitoring of nesting sites.    Biologists observe nesting sites, and count and mark each neonate.    Some of the newborns are then moved to the pools for a foster program where they are protected from natural and human predators until they reach the critical size to fend off natural predators.  

After some trial and error runs, the program has been successful in duplicating natural conditions for the fostering of the neonates, and approximately 25 individuals will be released into the wild this year, to offset the impacts of climate variablitily on breeding and nests sites and decreased populations.
 

Complex problems require systemic solutions that operate in different dimensions and at different levels.

Based on the vulnerability study results and the piloting intermittent harvest technique, the GP Fish supported various initiatives to enhance the resilience of aquaculture and rice-fish farmers. Through training sessions, farmers learned about the impacts of climate change on aquaculture operations. With support from technical staff, fish farmer cooperatives developed individual adaptation plans, which were then incorporated into their annual planning. Additionally, farmers received training on enhancing watershed functionality and implementing agroforestry practices, including reforestation around ponds to reduce erosion during heavy rains. Due to high community demand, the project also supported the development and management of local tree nurseries to ensure the availability of seedlings.

Other infrastructural adaptations for small-scale aquaculture operations include the use of deeper ponds, which provide thermal refuge and greater dissolved oxygen reserves, thus enhancing fish growth and survival during dry spells. Structural adaptations such as raised pond dikes and strategic timing for stocking and harvesting fish are recommended to prevent losses during seasonal extreme weather events.

Moreover, continuous harvesting of surplus tilapia offspring reduced the risk of total market value loss due to flooding, showcasing an innovative adaptation to increase resilience against climate variability. The cost-­efficient adaptations and techniques were carefully selected to minimize the financial burden on farmers.
These adaptations on an infrastructural level can be complemented by regional activities of the project to mitigate climate change effects. For example, a digital, mobile phone-based climate information system for fish farmers has been introduced in collaboration with mobile network operators and weather stations. The hotline provides early and regular weather updates, which allows farmers to adjust production and harvesting methods to prevent losses from events such as flooding. Additionally, the hotline serves as a marketplace for fish producers and consumers.