Transboundary conservation areas (TBCAs) are designated regions that extend across international borders and are collaboratively managed by multiple nations or administrative divisions. These areas are pivotal for biodiversity conservation and ecological connectivity, serving as vital corridors for wildlife migration and fostering cooperation in preserving shared ecosystems. The significance of TBCAs is underscored by their role in addressing the challenges posed by habitat fragmentation and climate change, as they encompass large, ecologically critical regions that facilitate the movement of species and support the resilience of natural habitats.

International community has increasingly recognized the value of TBCAs, leading to the establishment of various initiatives and agreements to enhance collaboration among nations. Africa hosts at least 27 TBCAs, approximated to cover an area of 847,158 square km. TBCAs have become an important tool for promoting environmental sustainability and diplomatic relations between neighboring countries. These areas serve as platforms for dialogue and cooperation, addressing the paradox of globalization and the challenges posed by militarized interstate disputes in conservation efforts. 

The Kenya-Tanzania Transboundary Marine Conservation Area (TBCA) delivers ecological, socio-economic, and governance benefits. It links vital habitats like mangroves, seagrass, and coral reefs, supporting biodiversity, species migration, and ecosystem resilience to climate change. The TBCA provides annual ecosystem services ranging between US$127–229 million/year (UNEP, 2023). Eco-tourism and recreational services contribute an additional US$65-117 million annually, improving livelihoods and advancing conservation efforts.

Community meetings (barazas) were conducted in November 2024 in 7 selected BMUs within the Vanga-Shimoni seascape. These BMUs included Vanga, Jimbo, Majoreni, Kibuyuni, Mkwiro, Shimoni, and Wasini; and were selected based on their general proximity to the Kenya-Tanzania border and their active conservation efforts. 

A total of 175 participants participated in community Barazas; each BMU being represented by 25 participants. The representation in the barazas was based on gender, age, as well as memberships of either BMU or Community Forest Associations (CFAs) in the area. The meeting program included presentations on the TBCA concept, group work, and interactive plenary sessions . Break-out sessions were included to further dig for additional information on threats facing coastal and marine resources within their areas, current interventions, as well as community perceptions of the TBCA concept.

In collaboration with the park management authority and stakeholders, including the ONP Management Plan Steering Committee and the Okomu Biodiversity Stakeholders Platform (OBSP), and supported by the SCERA National Programme Coordinator to be recruited, the park management plan will be revised. Stakeholders will be involved in objectives setting, identifying and agreeing appropriate guidelines, management priorities and strategies and tools, such as zonation, biodiversity research and monitoring, law enforcement, collaborative management, implementation plans etc. to ensure effective protected area (PA) management. A PA management planning specialist will be engaged to facilitate this process and lead the drafting of the management plan. The Okomu Biodiversity Stakeholders Platform (OBSP) is a coordination platform made up of 12 support zone communities, local and state authorities, non-governmental organisations and private sector members. The ONP Management Plan Steering committee is a technical committee consisting of government ministries, natural resource companies and international and local NGOs set up to update the previous ONP management plan. 

The purpose of the Academy was to support participants in developing the skills and experience necessary for leadership in navigating complex systems and fostering agroecological transformation.
A suitable concept to fulfill this purpose was developed over a span of three months (July – September 2023): 

Consequently, the purpose was distilled into three key objectives: Learning, Acting, and Networking. These objectives were reflected in the design of each session and supported at three levels:  individuals, country teams, and the global cohort.
The methodology of the Agroecology Leadership Academy was based on 7 principles:

• A close connection between the topic of Agroecology (the “What”) and Transformation and Leadership (the “How”)
• A clear focus on transformation skills and mindset
• Transformation initiatives as core learning projects
• In-Country facilitators to support the country teams
• Linking Learning, Acting and Networking
• Systemic, experiential and relational learning
• The strong role of communication

The general structure of the Academy was organised into four phases: Sowing, Growing, Harvesting and Transforming. Various learning formats were implemented throughout these phases, including an online kick-off event, two international in-presence learning events, four international online sessions, and individual workshops for the different country teams. These formats concentrated on the aforementioned levels. While the meetings within the country teams emphasised teamwork at the national level, the international sessions facilitated mutual learning among the global cohort. 

After the concept development phase, the participant selection process commenced. The goal was to assemble a heterogenous group representing diverse stakeholder groups, skills, ages and genders. 
A call for applications was sent out to a pre-defined group of potential participants from agroecology-networks in the respective countries. Following the evaluation of initial applications based on predefined selection criteria, individual selection conversations were conducted to finalise the group composition, with five participants chosen from each country. 
In selecting participants, not only individual criteria were considered, but also the need for complementary skills within the group composition.  Each participant was expected to contribute something from their personal background that would benefit the group as a whole.
This selection process ensured that different levels of the agricultural and food system were represented - participants included, among others, farmers, founders of agricultural enterprises, university professors, and representatives of ministries of agriculture - as well as ensuring a balanced gender ratio within the group.

As a following step to the shark camp, we seek to contribute to the generation of conservation measures for the protection of the whale shark, based on scientific tourism and knowledge, as mechanisms of transformation.

In doing so, we intend to strengthen local capacities and contribute to the development of sustainable local productive activities, aware of the need to protect the marine ecosystems in the northern Colombian Pacific. Thus, generating behavioral changes that contribute to the conservation of this endangered species. 
 

The first step is to engage local leaders, traditional authorities, and respected community members. By involving them from the start, the project gains trust and ensures alignment with community values. These leaders promote community buy-in and support for FFS, reinforcing the importance of restoration activities and encouraging widespread participation. This step ensures that the lead farmers chosen are acceptable by the entire community.

In order to achieve sustainability, the communities were allowed to factor in their traditional knowledge and skills on how to concretize the new working modalities. The communities added another set of working groups from various villages. The working groups were shared a portion of the reserve to manage. This made the work of the overall committee easy as it turned into a monitoring committee. The groups make their own plans (work plans) for various activities such as patrolling, making of firebreaks etc. 

The first step is to convene all the forest block committees, local leaders and rural communities in general. These meetings focus on addressing issues that have negatively affected the communities as a result of the deforested reserve. This is followed by the establishment of new committees to oversee the new management plans. 

Community education and sensitization were essential components of the project to reduce encroachment and promote sustainable practices in Mvai Forest Reserve. The Chiefs Forum organised field visits to showcase governance challenges and educate participants on the environmental, social, and economic benefits of natural resource management. Local leaders conducted advocacy and awareness sessions to inform communities about the importance of conservation, sustainable land use, and legal regulations on resource use. Sensitization campaigns emphasized the impacts of deforestation and introduced sustainable livelihood alternatives, aiming to shift behaviors away from forest exploitation. These activities have empowered communities to take responsibility for forest protection and reporting illegal activities, significantly reducing encroachment and fostering a conservation mindset among local residents.

The Chief’s Forum was created to strengthen governance and reduce encroachment by uniting local chiefs, district council officers, and community representatives in a collaborative approach. Formed after extensive consultations in 2022, the Forum established a formalized structure to coordinate natural resource management efforts, aligning with traditional authorities and local government to enforce sustainable practices. Key responsibilities include advocacy for resource management, mobilizing funds, creating and enforcing by-laws, and promoting community sensitization on sustainable land use. The Forum acts as a bridge between the project and local stakeholders, fostering cooperation and accountability. Regular meetings and field visits enable chiefs to observe forest management challenges firsthand and address issues such as grazing and farming within protected areas.