Another crucial step in the formation is the development of a governance framework that builds the core of the MSP. It defines the rules of operation, roles, and responsibilities of participating stakeholders. This also includes the appointment of leadership positions within the MSP steering- and implementation structure. The stakeholders should work together to draft governance documents that outline these aspects, in order to ensure wide acceptance for these documents. The governance framework ensures that the MSP operates efficiently and that decision-making processes are clear and transparent with mechanisms for dispute resolution and conflict management in place. 
 

After the stakeholders have been mapped, they are brought together to find common grounds and build consensus. During engagement meetings, which can be facilitated by a moderator of a neutral third party, the stakeholders cooperatively identify and discuss joint challenges, define shared objectives, and formulate a common vision that should align with national and global agendas. These collective discussions ensure the inclusion of the different perspectives in the strategic and content-related orientation of the MSP. The creation of a shared vision and joint goals help to align efforts, create ownership, and maintain momentum amongst the members. 
 

To ensure comprehensive representation, stakeholder groups and actors that are directly and indirectly connected to fisheries and aquaculture have to be mapped. This can be done through workshops where key stakeholders, in the case of aquaculture, e.g. the responsible ministry and fish farmer associations, jointly identify other relevant stakeholders. Due to different constellation in each country, stakeholder types can vary. In the case of fisheries and aquaculture, general key stakeholder groups and actors that are involved are:

• Public sector: ministries and departments responsible for fisheries and aquaculture and, potentially, other governmental bodies that are connected to the sector, e.g. dealing with forestry, water, or agriculture;
• Private sector: various actors including small scale fishers and fish farmers, large scale operators and companies, as well as actors along the value chain, operating in e.g. feed and gear production, fish processing, transportation, or marketing;
• Agriculture farmers having impact on water quality and use;
• Other user of water bodies related to aquaculture and fisheries;
• Civil society organisations and the media;
• Cooperating partners: international and national development agencies, international organisations (e.g. FAO, World Bank, WorldFish, WWF, etc.), and development banks;
• Academia and research: universities and research institutions;
• Traditional leaders, indigenous communities, and community members; and
• Conservation groups: agencies working in environmental protection and conservation.
   

1. Solar-Powered Technology:
   A renewable energy system designed to replace diesel generators in fishing and aquaculture operations. It can power LED lights, monitoring devices, and refrigeration units, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and operational costs.
2. IoT-Based Monitoring Tools:
   Smart devices and applications that monitor fish stock, water quality, and environmental conditions in real time. These tools enhance decision-making, optimize resource use, and reduce waste in aquaculture and fishing.
3. Sustainable Product Design:
   Development of eco-friendly equipment like solar-powered boats and energy-efficient feeding systems, which promote marine conservation and reduce environmental impact.
4. Training and Capacity Building:
   Programs to train local fishers and aquaculture operators in using modern tools, adopting sustainable practices, and improving productivity while preserving ecosystems.
5. Public-Private Partnerships:
   Collaborative efforts between businesses, governments, and NGOs to implement scalable, sustainable solutions and provide access to necessary funding and technical expertise.
6. Market-Driven Innovation:
   Developing solutions that align with market needs, such as solar-powered cold storage systems, to ensure product quality and open access to higher-value markets.

Firebreaks are gaps in vegetation or other combustible material that act as barriers to slow or stop the progress of a wildfire. They can be man-made, for example, cleared strips of land. Firebreaks are strategically placed to protect not only valuable forest resources but also homes and other infrastructure. The effectiveness of firebreaks can be supplemented using early warning systems and predictive modeling. Early warning systems utilize technologies like remote sensing and satellite imagery to detect heat anomalies and smoke, while weather monitoring stations provide crucial data on temperature, humidity, and wind conditions. Ground-based sensors further enhance detection by monitoring environmental changes, and effective communication systems ensure timely dissemination of alerts to authorities and the public. Predictive modeling, on the other hand, uses data and algorithms to forecast fire behavior and spread. Fire behavior models simulate fire dynamics based on fuel type, topography, and weather, while machine learning algorithms analyze historical data to predict future fire occurrences. Coupled fire-atmospheric models integrate fire behavior with atmospheric conditions, offering a comprehensive understanding of fire-environment interactions. Risk assessment tools evaluate the potential impact of fires, aiding in resource allocation and protection prioritization. Together, these technologies enhance the ability to prevent, detect, and respond to wildfires, mitigating their impact on communities and ecosystems.

The vulnerability study follows the methodology of the GIZ Vulnerability Sourcebook which uses the vulnerability definition by the AR4 of the IPCC. As a starting point, temperature and precipitation in six focus regions in Madagascar were analysed and climate project maps were created. They served as a basis for the impact analysis. In three interregional workshops, impact chains and adaptation measures were developed by private, public, and civil society actors of the aquaculture sector. In a national workshop these findings were shared and verified. Fish farmers in the Highlands and on the east coast participated in capacity building activities on climate change adaptation.

Overall, the results revealed a high vulnerability of the freshwater aquaculture sector in all six focus regions in Madagascar. The models predict a significant reduction of rainfall, an increase of the number of days without rain and more frequent extreme weather events until 2060. More cyclones (and more intense cyclones) imply flood and erosion and a siltation of rice fields. More frequent and longer droughts lead to a lack of water, shorter production cycles and delays in the fish farming season. Furthermore, extreme weather events can create “panic sales” at low prices which affects the economic performance of fish farmers. 

Adapted to the country specific contexts, different measures are being used for the GP Fish’s intervention areas. However, the procedure is similar, starting with studying the individual effects of climate change to the region, piloting mitigation strategies to curb them and then implementing the most effective solutions.

In 2022, the GP Fish conducted a vulnerability study for the freshwater aquaculture sector in Madagascar on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung, BMZ). Public, private, and society actors of the sector reflected jointly on the impacts of climate change and developed adaptation measures for pond farming and rice-fish culture. 

Moreover, in cooperation with the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the former Sectoral Programme for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture, the project researched and implemented measures to protect fish farmers from the total loss of fish stock due to extreme weather events through intermittent harvest.
The aquaculture adaptations were applied and supported through training and consulting services, accompanied by additional activities like the implementation of a mobile phone-based climate information system.

A participatory project committee process and platforms like the SMAG ensured diverse stakeholders, including government, NGOs, and local communities, contributed ideas. This inclusive approach empowered all participants to have a say in shaping activities, fostering collaboration and accountability. Inclusivity built trust and reinforced the outcomes of the needs assessment by incorporating a wide range of perspectives into project planning and execution.

This foundation block ensured the project was community-driven by identifying priorities such as beekeeping and training. By aligning project goals with the Chimanimani Climate Change and Watershed Management Policy and ward development plans, the project reflected community aspirations and offered a framework to guide interventions. This process provided a strong, participatory baseline for project design upon which the project success was built on.

This building block emphasizes the critical role of engaging men and boys in addressing GBV within the fisheries sector. Recognizing that gender equality requires collaboration between men and women, this initiative targets the predominantly male-dominated fisheries sector to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment. By involving men ie: fishermen, law enforcer, male stakeholders, landowners, transportation providers, and traditional leaders—in awareness raising, training, and GBV Watch Committees, the intervention seeks to transform negative attitudes and behaviours that perpetuate GBV, including exploitative sex-for-fish practices. It also leverages the influence of traditional leaders to drive societal change, ensuring that men play an active role in avoiding backlach and safeguarding women and addressing the interconnected challenges of resource depletion, illegal fishing, and GBV.