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.

DNA barcoding and metabarcoding are cutting-edge molecular techniques that allow precise identification of species from small biological samples such as animal scats. Barcoding targets a single species by sequencing a standard gene region, while metabarcoding amplifies multiple DNA markers simultaneously, enabling comprehensive analysis of complex mixtures. These methods provide detailed insights into animal diets, predator-prey relationships, and seed dispersal patterns without invasive sampling. In our solution, these techniques were adapted to the Lebanese ecological context, enabling high-throughput biodiversity assessment and revealing key interactions between fauna and flora. This approach overcomes limitations of traditional ecological surveys and opens new possibilities for monitoring biodiversity changes, especially in regions with scarce baseline data.

Goal: To lay the foundation for integrating I&T solutions into traditional wetland management

Objectives: 

 - To introduce three proposed IoT applications to wetland stakeholders and I&T sectors 

 - To consult wetland stakeholders and I&T sectors for their views and comments 

 - To review potential IoT applications beneficial to the management of MPNR 

 - To identify and integrating relevant IoT solutions for gei wai operation and wetland research into MPNR  

Partnership with EMSD allows us to utilize GWIN network as a transmission layer for all sensors installed for this project at Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR) with no network recurring cost required.

The technology offers several benefits that make it well-suited for wireless data transmission in IoT applications. Its long-range capabilities allow data to be transmitted over a distance, making it ideal for vast rural areas like MPNR. Furthermore, LoRa’s efficient power consumption extends the battery life of battery-powered devices. LoRa data transmission also ensures the confidentiality and integrity of the data through secure protocols.

In this project, four GWIN LoRa gateways were installed by EMSD within Mai Po Nature Reserve (MPNR). The sensors installed at MPNR are connected to gateways via the low-power and private LoRa network and eventually connected back to the GWIN backend via the 4G network. Besides these four gateways specially installed for this project, other GWIN gateways near MPNR can further secure data transmission reliability. 

In return, these four gateways can also help receiving signal from the sensors installed by various government departments in the surrounding area. 

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.