The Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA), in partnership with IUCN Mozambique, launched three Knowledge Hubs as part of its efforts to centralise and streamline conservation and restoration training and knowledge exchange from the central to local levels and from public administration to communities. These hubs serve as essential training tools, particularly for mangrove restoration and protection, and for the broader application of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) and Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for both communities and policymakers.

Located within government premises in Maputo, Maputo National Park, and Pemba, the hubs function as open-access centres where conservation manuals, tools, and courses, including those from the IUCN Academy, are shared. These resources, (e.g. on NbS, Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), mangrove restoration) translated to Portuguese and tailored to local projects and communities, help expand the reach of conservation knowledge, especially to rural communities, women, and youth. By offering systematic online and in-person training, the hubs provide a space for both tailored learning and socio-economic development, incorporating important dimensions of governance, gender, and youth engagement.

The Knowledge Hubs empower local communities, especially those in buffer and coastal areas, to become active agents in conservation and climate adaptation by providing tools on topics such as mangrove restoration and NbS. This initiative not only promotes sustainable practices but also nurtures a culture of learning and participation. 

The Knowledge Hubs have proven to be a cost-effective solution for training, using existing infrastructure and only require internet connectivity. The program includes in-person training, such as the “Blue Training in Practise” program, which successfully trained over 20 professors and MTA staff to integrate coastal and marine management into local development plans and projects This approach is designed as a long-term, cross-sectoral process, ensuring that biodiversity, climate, and development considerations are incorporated into local development strategies. Where possible, the program also facilitates personal exchanges with local communities to enhance engagement and knowledge transfer.

Furthermore, the Knowledge Hubs have also served as a model for other development and conservation actors, attracting in-kind and financial support, which further strengthens partnerships and raises awareness.

IUCN’s approach was rooted in its membership union, of which the Government of Mozambique is a partner. Mozambique hosts several key IUCN members, including Peace Parks Foundation, WCS, and WWF, as well as benefiting from EU-funded initiatives like PANORAMA. This made it easier for IUCN to assess interest and support for establishing a platform for knowledge and information sharing, such as the Dialogue Platform.

IUCN worked closely with the Ministry of Land and Environment, including ANAC, to engage local organisations and governments in identifying key thematic and policy areas for discussion. This approach helped streamline conservation and development approaches and manuals, creating a unified voice to influence policy and aligned the conservation actor’s engagement and agreement. The first edition of the Dialogue Platform was a success, providing an open dialogue with the government and conservation actors to discuss biodiversity and conservation priorities. The event also featured the SOMN Mangrove Champion Awards, that were jointly presented by an IUCN representative, the German Embassy representative and the MTA Permanent Secretary, underscoring the value of partnerships and recognition in promoting environmental efforts.

By nurturing partnerships, IUCN ensured that the voice of conservation actors remained active, positively influencing policy decisions, particularly in mainstreaming biodiversity and ecosystem-based adaptation into all development projects. The continued activities of the Dialogue Platform deepened engagement around themes such as land use and the management of competing land interests.

Beyond facilitating access to hard-to-reach locations, sailboats also provide useful modes of transport for deploying scientific instrumentation. The boats can carry scientific equipment, both for deployment in the ocean, but also for continual measurement by sensors that are permanently onboard. The race boats’ speed means that data from different locations can be captured across short timespans, something which is not achievable by most research vessels. Yachts can also be used to pilot and test new research technology and techniques, such as technology that allows results to be shared in real-time, and the OceanPack – a device which records essential ocean data from aboard the yachts. 

In a racing context, carrying devices that take meteorological measurements is not only beneficial for science partners, but also for the race participants themselves, as it helps to inform and improve weather forecasts that will impact their own decision-making and performances throughout the race. 

Using racing yachts for data collection paves the way for the installation and deployment of measuring devices on other vessels such as fishing or commercial boats, as well as other sailing boats. 

Building Block 5 focuses on the provision of various bamboo trainings by Forests4Future to support different aspects of the bamboo value chain in their intervention zone. These trainings are essential as enabling factors for the success and sustainability of the bamboo-related activities undertaken by the project. Forests4Future provides both financial and technical assistance in organizing and implementing these trainings. Since the start of the project, Forests4Future has conducted multiple bamboo trainings tailored to specific needs, for example:

1. Bamboo propagation: Trainings on bamboo propagation are provided to tree nurseries to ensure the successful propagation of bamboo seedlings for plantation establishment.
2. Bamboo plantation/stand management and harvesting: These trainings cover various aspects of bamboo plantation management, including planting techniques, maintenance practices, pest and disease management, and sustainable harvesting methods.
3. Bamboo preservation treatment: This training is essential for bamboo processing units to learn proper techniques for treating bamboo with chemical, hot water and cold water treatments and harvesting time consideration to reduce insect susceptibility of bamboo culm.           
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By offering these diverse trainings, Forests4Future aims to build the capacity and skills of local stakeholders involved in the bamboo value chain. This contributes to improved productivity, product quality, and overall sustainability of bamboo-related activities. Moreover, these trainings empower local communities to actively participate in and benefit from the economic and environmental benefits of bamboo.

Building Block 4 focuses on the establishment and support of bamboo processing small and medium enterprises (SME) by Forests4Future in the intervention zone. The primary purpose of establishing such enterprise is to create associated business opportunities that focus on sustainable income generation and job creation for the local community. Raw bamboo material is predominantly sourced from local farmers in the area, including those supported by the project as detailed in Building Block 2. These units process raw bamboo material into valuable products, with a focus on furniture such as chairs, tables, beds, shelves, and various kitchen items. One significant success factor is the preservative treatment of bamboo against insects, ensuring product durability and quality. Additionally, bamboo products are affordable for the wider group of community, making items like wooden beds, which would otherwise be expensive, accessible. This affordability has clear benefits for the local population. Moreover, bamboo serves as an alternative or substitute for timber, reducing the pressure on natural forests in the area. By promoting the use of bamboo as a sustainable resource, the bamboo processing units contribute to environmental conservation and resource utilization efficiency. 

Building Block 3 discusses the use of bamboo raw material and products for gully rehabilitation, integrating the eco-hydrological concept implemented by Forests4Future. This low-cost erosion protection measure has been successfully piloted and upscaled. Next to selling bamboo raw material to local processing units (PU) as described in Building Block 2, it can also be utilized to construct gully restoration measures. These infrastructure units consist of a series of semipermeable wooden barriers placed in erosion gullies in consideration of the water flow direction and intensity, forming a surface run-off regulating system that sequentially controls the flow of surface water. This unit plays a crucial role in regulating key hydrological parameters such as flow concentration and velocity, which in turn regulate hydro-logical and biological processes like runoff and infiltration. By mitigating erosion in gullies, these measures contribute to long-term gully restoration efforts. This technique and the skills required can be easily replicated by other farmers due to its relatively straightforward construction method, making it accessible for widespread adoption.

Forests4Future's Building Block 2 focuses on supporting communities to establish bamboo plantations in degraded communal land and erosion gullies. The seedlings for the plantations are sourced from local nurseries, as detailed in Building Block 1. As the bamboo reaches a certain growth stage, it can be harvested and sold to local bamboo processing units (PU), which then transform the raw material into valuable products, as discussed in Building Block 4. This approach not only promotes sustainable income generation for the community but also contributes to the restoration of degraded land. Bamboo's soil-protecting capacity plays a crucial role in long-term restoration efforts, particularly in areas vulnerable to erosion or already highly degraded like the Lake Abaya and Chamo catchment areas. Erosion and sedimentation pose significant threats to local farmers and fishers, making the restoration efforts with bamboo essential for protecting soils and ensuring future income opportunities for the communities.

The purpose of this building block is to showcase the successful establishment of bamboo nurseries by the Forests4Future initiative in its intervention zone. These nurseries play a crucial role in the local economy by selling young bamboo plants to generate income for the community. These plants are primarily used to create bamboo plantations, aiding in the rehabilitation of degraded land in the catchment area. Forests4Future specifically focuses on working with indigenous bamboo species, for example the Ethiopian highland bamboo (Yushania alpina k.), leveraging their rapid growth and ability to absorb greenhouse gases as an effective tool for carbon sequestration, aligning with global climate goals. Furthermore, the establishment of bamboo plantations not only contributes to land restoration but also provides a sustainable source of raw material for various industries, thereby enhancing economic opportunities in the region.

Kitangani site located near Mokowe has had underlying hydrological challenges after sand dredged from the channel was dumped at the mangrove site. Over time, the water channels were considerably blocked, which hindered flow of oxygen and key nutrients critical for mangrove regeneration and growth.

In partnership with the KFS, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and Mangrove Action Project (MAP), Wetlands International commenced restoration efforts of Kitangani site by bringing together a wide group of stakeholders. We engaged local communities through CBOs such as Pate Resources and Tourism Initiative (PRATI) and Lamu Community Forest Association (LAMACOFA), as well as the Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI) and the Lamu County Government.

Debris was cleared from the main water channel to improve biophysical conditions, including soil quality, oxygen levels, and nutrient availability, thereby supporting natural regeneration. Additionally, a site cleanup was carried out, as plastic pollution continues to be a persistent challenge in the Lamu Archipelago. Quadrants were also set for monitoring purposes. 

Following the training, we nominated CBEMR champions representing CFAs, BMUs, youth and women groups. 11 are community champions while three are from key government agencies. In general, CBEMR champions create awareness, assist in capacity building, undertake actual restoration activities, monitor restoration activities, and conduct ecological and social assessments, among other roles. 

The community champions assist in mobilisation, awareness creation, training and actual mangrove conservation and restoration initiatives. The champions from the government agencies also serve as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) during CBEMR trainings, working alongside the primary trainers.