This building block outlines the findings and methodology of a nationwide field study conducted in 2022, which informed the Sparśa Pad Project. The research examined menstrual product usage, access, stigma, and user preferences among 820 Nepali women and adolescent girls in 14 districts across all seven provinces.

Using a structured face-to-face interview approach, the team employed ethically approved questionnaires administered by culturally rooted female research assistants. This method ensured trust, context sensitivity, and accurate data collection across diverse communities. The interviewers were trained in ethical protocols and worked in their own or nearby communities, thereby strengthening rapport and enhancing their understanding of local norms, power relations, and languages.

Key findings revealed a high reliance on disposable pads (75.7%) and ongoing use of cloth (44.4%), with product preferences strongly shaped by income, education, and geography. Respondents prioritized absorbency, softness, and size in menstrual products. While 59% were unfamiliar with the term “biodegradable,” those who understood it expressed a strong preference for compostable options, over 90%. Importantly, 73% of participants followed at least one menstrual restriction, yet 57% expressed positive feelings about them, seeing them as tradition rather than purely discriminatory.

These findings directly shaped the design of Sparśa’s compostable pads, informed the user testing protocols, and guided the development of targeted awareness campaigns. The accompanying link and PDFs include a peer-reviewed research article co-authored by the team and supervised by Universidade Fernando Pessoa (Porto, Portugal), as well as informed consent forms, a statement of confidentiality, and a research questionnaire. These documents are provided for practitioners' reference or replication purposes.

Why this is useful for others:

For Nepali organizations and local governments:

• The study provides representative national data to inform product design, pricing strategies, and outreach campaigns.
• It reveals regional, ethnic, and generational differences in attitudes that are essential for localized intervention planning.
• The questionnaire is available in Nepali and can be adapted for school surveys, municipal assessments, or NGO projects.

For international actors:

• The research demonstrates a replicable, ethical field methodology that balances qualitative insight with statistically relevant sampling.
• It offers a template for conducting culturally sensitive research in diverse, low-income settings.
• Key insights can guide similar product development, health education, and behavior change interventions globally.

Instructions for practitioners:

• Use the attached PDFs as templates for conducting your own baseline studies.
• Adapt the questions to reflect your region’s cultural and product context.
• Leverage the findings to avoid common pitfalls, such as overestimating awareness of biodegradable products or underestimating positive views on restrictions.
• Use the structure to co-design products and testing tools that truly reflect end-user needs.

To ensure effective restoration, project leaders worked with the community to designate and physically demarcate specific areas for intervention. This included mapping the landscape to identify priority areas for rangeland restoration, addressing concerns over land ownership, and ensuring community consensus on where boundaries would be drawn. The collaborative designation process allowed for clear agreements on how the land would be used, while physical markers helped prevent future conflicts over land use and maintain restoration areas.

Community meetings, or barazas, served as the primary platform for engagement with landowners to discuss and align on proposed restoration interventions across 150 hectares of rangeland. These meetings were designed as participatory sessions where local Maasai landowners could voice their concerns, ask questions, and gain clarity on how the project would impact their land use. The barazas were instrumental in fostering transparent communication between project implementers and local stakeholders, allowing for an inclusive decision-making process that respected Maasai traditions and community dynamics.

Une ébauche de la CL est élaborée par les responsables définis lors de l’assemblée de restitution. Puis une pré-validation de la CL est nécessaire pour donner la possibilité des concernées de réagir même avant l’assemblée de validation. 

Dans le cas de Conventions moins complexes et/ou de petite envergure la distribution du draft aux concernées et le recueil des observations peut suffire. Dans les cas des CL complexes une assemblée de pré-validation est conseillé. A part des usagers et chefferie traditionnelle à mettre un accent particulier sur la commune et les ST. 

Lors d’une assemblée de validation, un rappel de tout le processus d’élaboration de la CL mène à la présentation de l’ébauche de la CL. Cette présentation doit être exhaustive. Plus les différentes parties prenantes étaient impliqués auparavant, moins il y aura des amendements. 

Le résultat attendu est une convention finalisée et signée par toutes les parties, conférant un cadre légal et moral aux actions de restauration. 

Outils :  Comme déjà au moment des assemblées précédents les outils de visualisation et de structuration des discussions jouent un rôle très important.

Souvent le besoin pour l’élaboration d’une CL est senti par une partie des concernés seulement. C’est la raison pour laquelle une campagne d’information et de sensibilisation concernant la problématique, les dangers et atouts de la ressource est obligatoire avant le démarrage des négociations.

A ce moment, la notion de Convention Locale et sa relation par rapport aux autres types de planification doit être clarifiée, ainsi que la suite des étapes pour son élaboration.

Une assemblée de lancement facilitera l’information des concernés sur les résultats déjà disponibles et le processus d’élaboration de la CL. 

Afin d’atteindre une représentativité il est important que les populations concernées, les usagers, les OP, la chefferie traditionnelle y compris les chefs de terre sont impliqués dans ce processus (voir étape précédente).  Lors de l’assemblée de lancement les différents groupes d’intérêt se rencontrent et les premières discussions sont lancées. 

Par la suite un Comité de Pilotage (CP) pour l’élaboration de la CL, et selon besoin, des groupes de travail thématiques (groupe analyse ressource, groupe élaboration règles, …) sont installés. Finalement les activités et étapes à venir sont planifiées dans le temps.

Outils : Rencontres en tête-à-tête, outils de visualisation (cartes, schémas), exemples pratiques de CL existantes.

The MTAKIMAU Mangrove Participatory Forest Management Plan (PFMP) 2024–2028 guides the sustainable management of approximately 2,550 hectares of mangrove forest across Mtwapa, Takaungu, and Kilifi. Developed under Section 47(1) of the Forest Conservation and Management Act (2016), the plan resulted from a highly participatory process led by the Mtakimau Community Forest Association (CFA), in collaboration with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS), WWF-Kenya, and other local stakeholders.

The process began with community barazas that restructured and registered the CFA. Stakeholders then formed and trained a Local Planning Review Team (LPRT), which conducted forest assessments, household surveys, participatory mapping, and community dialogues. Together, they designed the PFMP to define sustainable forest use practices, identify conservation priorities, and establish equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. The plan reflects community aspirations, ensures ecological integrity, and builds climate resilience. KFS and the CFA formalized their partnership by signing a legally binding Forest Management Agreement (FMA) based on this plan.

The Mtakimau Community Forest Association (CFA) was revitalized through restructuring and targeted governance capacity building. Transitioning from loosely organized village-based groups to formal individual membership improved accountability, transparency, and inclusive participation. Sixty grassroots leaders were trained on leadership, resource mobilization, conflict management, and forest legislation. Democratic elections established both a management and executive committee. Additionally, sessions on Environmental and Social Safeguards and grievance mechanisms were delivered, enhancing the CFA’s capacity to manage mangrove resources sustainably. This transformation fostered local ownership and positioned the CFA as a credible, community-led institution supporting long-term mangrove restoration and conservation in Kilifi County.

Park-adjacent communities, local, state and federal government and non-government stakeholders are actively working together in the revision and implementation of a collaborative management plan for the Okomu National Park (ONP).

With financial support from the BIOPAMA AC Medium Grant and the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), SCERA has supported the conservation efforts of Okomu National Park for almost two years. In January 2024, SCERA commenced activities during the first OBSP meeting in 2024 to support the Okomu National Park in the development of a participatory management plan. Subsequently, a workshop brought together local stakeholders to provide their inputs and agree on a roadmap for the development of the management plan. 

Successfully establishing and scaling a social enterprise like a pad factory requires careful coordination with government authorities and strict compliance with legal requirements. This building block focuses on creating a strong foundation by building trust, ensuring legality, and protecting the enterprise from future risks.

The first step involves informing local and national government bodies about your project plans and activities. Regular communication not only builds transparency and trust but also makes it easier to gain support when needed. It ensures that the enterprise is seen as a responsible and contributing part of the community's development.

Secondly, it is crucial to coordinate with local or provincial offices to confirm that the factory is located appropriately and meets all zoning, operational, and environmental requirements. Early consultation helps avoid future legal complications and promotes smoother project implementation.

Before any physical construction begins, the enterprise must complete all legal steps, such as securing land use permits, building approvals, and environmental clearances. This process prevents future disputes and ensures that the factory is legally protected at every stage.

If the enterprise plans to import machinery or raw materials from abroad (for example, from India and Chaina), it is essential to follow all import rules, including documentation and tax payments. Compliance with import regulations helps avoid customs delays, penalties, and additional operational costs.

Further, to operate legally in the market, the enterprise must register officially and gain approval to sell its products, such as sanitary pads. Official registration enhances the company’s credibility among customers, partners, and regulatory bodies, opening doors to wider distribution opportunities.

Finally, it is critical to insure the factory, machinery, and assets against potential risks like fire, natural disasters, burglary, or other damages. Having appropriate insurance coverage provides financial protection and ensures business continuity even during unforeseen events.

By following these structured steps, the enterprise not only secures its legal standing but also strengthens its reputation, improves sustainability, and creates a solid platform for growth and social impact.

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.