Inception phase | PANORAMA

Integration of local contexts and languages

Incorporating the local context – like environmental and cultural conditions in the regions and local languages – is essential when designing training manuals. This ensures accessibility and relevance of training content and alignment with the realities of the target audience’s environment. To ensure the sustainability and widespread adoption of the training materials, they need to be closely aligned with the needs and priorities of local institutions.

Enabling factors include involving local farmers and experts in developing materials, ensuring that training venues and tools are accessible, regularly collecting participant feedback to update content, and gaining support from community leaders to encourage attendance and trust.

In India, for instance, the modular training sessions were developed with a specific focus on the available time of farmers and their farming calendar. The developed approach allows the training to be broken down into short, 2-hour modules. This ensured that farmers, particularly women, can participate without disrupting their ongoing livelihood and household activities. The modular setup also enabled farmers to select sessions based on the season, such as pond preparation, stocking, or cultivation periods, maximising the relevance and timing of the information provided. Adding fitting illustrations, especially of local commodities and practices, to the training materials enhanced comprehension by grounding the content in familiar visuals.

Inception phase

Implementation

Local

Collaborative and participatory development

A collaborative and participatory approach is central to the development of training materials. To ensure relevance, practicability, and ownership, a task force is typically formed—comprising representatives from ministries, academia, fish farmers, value chain actors, and researchers. Iterative processes, validation workshops, and stakeholder consultations are employed to refine the materials and ensure they reflect local needs.

Training should address not only the 'how' but also the 'why'. By explaining the rationale behind specific practices—such as reducing environmental impacts or promoting food and nutrition security—farmers gain a deeper understanding and are empowered to make informed decisions that align with sustainability goals. This goes beyond simply following instructions; it fosters critical thinking and adaptive problem-solving.

To build resilient and thriving enterprises, training should also incorporate elements such as business education, innovations along the value chain, and the use of decentralized renewable energy technologies. These components enable fish farmers to enhance their financial literacy, respond to market and environmental challenges, and implement innovative solutions for increased productivity and sustainability.

If necessary, consultants can be incorporated to harmonise the outcomes and accelerate the process, but a variety of relevant stakeholders of the sector and value chain should always be involved in reviewing the content.

Materials should be closely aligned with the needs and priorities of local institutions and collaboratively integrated into national curricula and technical training colleges, ensuring both relevance and local ownership.

In India, the development of aquaculture training materials involved multiple workshops and participatory feedback from local fish farmers, government agencies, NGOs, and researchers. This collaborative process was vital in creating modular training sessions suited to the seasonal constraints of fish farming, particularly for women and small-scale farmers. The materials were continuously tested and revised to ensure their relevance, written in local languages, and tailored for field-based learning without the need for technology. This inclusive approach enabled farmers to take ownership of the training content and ensured its effectiveness in the long term.

Needs assessment and gap analysis to decide training content and formats

The initial step is conducting a thorough needs assessment and gap analysis by experienced technical team members from the project and partners. This process involves screening existing materials, consulting with stakeholders and actors in the fish value chain and identifying gaps in knowledge and practice. A field survey can be conducted to collect data on the needs of the beneficiaries and necessary framework requirements for training, e.g. technology availability, training duration, and intervals.

Basic factors for the assessments include a skilled technical team and effective collaboration among partners. They should have access to existing materials to ensure informed screening. Participatory field surveys that consider gender, youth, and marginalized groups help accurately identify needs. Financial resources and logistical support enable thorough data collection and analysis.

The main topics of the different training programmes, as well as the formats used, can vary greatly. For example, while the needs assessment in Zambia identified gaps in existing aquaculture training manuals that could be addressed through hands-on training, the survey in Uganda led to the development of a fisheries business. In Mauritania, the identification of weak points highlighted the need for hygiene and quality training in the fish value chain. In response to climate risks, the project in Malawi recognized the importance of intermittent harvest methods and developed a fish trap manual.

Edge AI + LoRaWAN Infrastructure

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI uses on-device Edge AI models and LoRaWAN communication to process data locally and transmit alerts even in low-connectivity regions. This low-power, scalable network allows instant wildfire detection, animal tracking, and real-time environmental monitoring.

Flexible integration of open-source LoRaWAN technology and compact AI models
Low latency communication ensures rapid response in emergencies
Collaboration with embedded system experts for optimized hardware-software synergy

Local capacity building ensures long-term reliability and system maintenance
Intelligent alert routing and data filtering are essential to avoid signal noise
Redundant communication strategies strengthen system resilience

WildGuard AI Sensor Ecosystem (Bio-Acoustic + Chemical + Climate Sensing)

FarmSentinel AI

NoArk Technologies

WildGuard AI

NoArk Technologies

NOARKTECH’s WildGuard AI integrates bio-acoustic microphones, air quality sensors (CO, VOC), and hyperlocal climate monitors to detect wildlife movement, forest fires, and ecological disturbances. This system enables real-time environmental intelligence for conservation, climate resilience, and human-wildlife conflict prevention.

Deployment of rugged, energy-efficient sensors suited for field conditions
Scientific validation in collaboration with academic and environmental institutions
Pilot deployments across Western Ghats and Northeast India

Sensor effectiveness improves with community-informed placement strategies
Continuous environmental calibration enhances precision over time
Environmental durability must be prioritized during design and testing phases

Promoting artisanal fishing with good practices and banning industrial fishing

Industrial fishing causes serious impacts such as the destruction
of the marine food chain -especially when catching key species
such as shrimp- and the use of fishing gear that affects dolphins,
turtles, sharks and even whales, which suffer injuries or stress
due to noise and blows. The purpose of the ban on industrial
fishing has been to reduce these impacts. In addition, responsible
artisanal fishing is promoted, avoiding altering the ecological
balance and using more sustainable methods, such as the use of
curved hooks that protect vulnerable species by preventing them
from being easily hooked. Their fishing is based on selective
techniques such as hand-lining or spinning, which conserves
species and ensures a viable fishery in the long term.

The existence of specific regulations to regulate the ZEPA and to
establish prohibitions, together with the obligation that these
regulations be respected and accepted by the different
stakeholders.

For the proper implementation of the ZEPA, it is necessary to
work with the actors in charge of surveillance and control
processes so that the established prohibitions are actually
respected.

Inception phase

Entirety

National

Capacity Building and Regional Training Programs

Building local and regional expertise in DNA barcoding and metabarcoding is vital for sustainable biodiversity conservation. Supported by BBI-CBD funding, our training programs target conservation practitioners from Lebanon, Tunisia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Jordan, including those without prior molecular biology experience. These hands-on workshops cover sample collection, laboratory techniques, data analysis, and interpretation, empowering participants to independently apply molecular tools in their contexts. Capacity building democratizes access to innovative technologies, fosters regional collaboration, and ensures continuity beyond the project lifecycle.

Funding from BBI-CBD and institutional backing by Saint Joseph University enabled program development. Experienced trainers and tailored curricula accommodate diverse backgrounds. Regional participant selection promotes cross-country knowledge exchange. Ongoing support and follow-up strengthen learning outcomes.

We learned that successful capacity building requires flexible training models that accommodate participants’ varied expertise. Hands-on practice combined with theoretical knowledge improves retention. Establishing a regional network fosters peer learning and collaboration. Follow-up support and refresher sessions are important for sustained impact. Training must be paired with accessible resources and tools to enable real-world application. Engaging trainees as future trainers multiplies benefits and contributes to national and regional self-sufficiency in biodiversity monitoring.

Documentation and dissemination of results

Review phase

Entirety

Global

Stakeholder Engagement and Knowledge Mobilization

Meaningful engagement with Lebanese Ministries of Environment and Agriculture, local NGOs, practitioners, and communities ensured that scientific insights informed policy and restoration practices. By communicating findings clearly and collaboratively, we helped integrate molecular data into the National Biodiversity Action Plan. Awareness campaigns targeted schools, universities, farmers, and land managers, raising understanding of the ecological roles animals play in forest regeneration. This knowledge mobilization builds local ownership, promotes evidence-based decision-making, and bridges science with societal needs for long-term ecosystem resilience.

Strong relationships with government agencies and NGOs fostered trust. Clear, accessible communication materials and workshops facilitated understanding. Involvement of local communities ensured relevance. Institutional support allowed integration into national plans. Funding enabled outreach and awareness activities.

Effective stakeholder engagement requires ongoing dialogue and tailored communication strategies to diverse audiences. We found that combining scientific rigor with accessible language bridges the science-policy-practice gap. Early inclusion of ministries and NGOs increases uptake of results. Awareness campaigns are essential to foster behavioral change and highlight the often-overlooked role of animals in ecosystem restoration. Sustained collaboration ensures findings influence policy and land management decisions. We also learned that participatory approaches empower communities, ensuring solutions are socially accepted and sustainable

Strategic International and Academic Partnerships

Partnerships with the Smithsonian Institution, iBOL, and Saint Joseph University have been central to our project’s success. The Smithsonian provided advanced expertise in metabarcoding methodology and quality assurance, enabling rigorous application of DNA analysis. iBOL supports the expansion of barcoding efforts, particularly for insects, linking our regional data to global biodiversity initiatives. Saint Joseph University leads research implementation and capacity building, ensuring regional ownership and continuity. These collaborations combine global knowledge with local ecological and institutional context, enabling innovation and scalability.

Long-term collaborative relationships, shared scientific goals, and mutual trust were key. International funding and technical assistance fostered knowledge exchange. The presence of a dedicated local research team facilitated communication and implementation. Shared commitment to open data and capacity building strengthened partnerships.

Strong partnerships require continuous communication, respect for local contexts, and clear roles. International collaboration accelerates technology transfer but must be coupled with local capacity building to ensure sustainability. We learned the importance of balancing global scientific standards with regional ecological realities. Formal agreements and joint planning helped align expectations. Integrating diverse expertise—from molecular biology to ecology and policy—enhanced project impact. Finally, these partnerships opened avenues for future research and expanded conservation networks.

Localized Reference Library Development

The creation of a comprehensive, open-access DNA reference library of native plant and animal species was foundational to our solution. Recognizing that global databases lacked coverage for many Eastern Mediterranean species, we built the first Lebanese library encompassing plants, mammals, and now expanding to insects, birds, and fungi. This reference database improves the accuracy of DNA sequence matching and enables precise identification of species present in environmental samples. It also fills a critical regional data gap and facilitates ecological studies, biodiversity monitoring, and conservation planning. By publishing the library openly, we promote transparency, collaboration, and the potential for adaptation in similar biodiversity hotspots.

Strong institutional support from Saint Joseph University, collaboration with local taxonomists, and access to specimens were vital. Funding from initial grants allowed sequencing efforts. Commitment to open data principles ensured broad accessibility. Support from iBOL facilitated integration into global databases, enhancing utility and visibility.

Building a reliable reference library requires significant coordination between molecular scientists and taxonomists. Accurate species identification depends heavily on quality-verified voucher specimens and metadata. The process is time-consuming but indispensable for meaningful metabarcoding results. Sharing the library openly generated interest and collaboration but also highlighted the need for continuous updates and expansion to cover more taxa. Engaging local experts fostered ownership and increased the scientific credibility of the data, ensuring the library’s sustainability as a national resource.