Resilience in marine communities

To assist in disaster vulnerability reduction, the CATS programme assisted in the construction of a berthing jetty in the remote community of Soufriere, Dominica.  Considered the most economically viable option, the jetty can provide for quick unimpeded access for goods for the community and an escape route for times of emergencies.  This infrastructure reduces the emergency response time between Soufriere/Scotts Head communities and Roseau by nearly half.  At the same time, the construction of such a facility is expected to create and expand new and hopefully sustained economic opportunities for the Local Area Management Authority (LAMA) and the local communities. 

The need for this intervention was highlighted by the passage of multiple natural disasters, which significantly inhibited the access of the Soufriere community to goods and services from outside the immediate community, especially due to there being a compromised road network.  The jetty was therefore a welcomed opportunity to overcome this challenge. The benefits to the commercial sector, fisher access   and improved standard of living were other motivating factors which created the enabling environment for this intervention. 

Being a multi-partner, community focussed initiative, it was noted that before such a project commenced, it was necessary to have a meeting between the project team and beneficiaries (not just leaders) to clarify everything in detail-a meeting that would bring everyone together before the project starts, and not just the leaders, is a good way to achieve this.  The management of the facility post completion is a critical factor, and one to be considered and incorporated in facility design at an early stage, lest long term maintenance becomes a challenge once the partners take over.  Also the engagement with a locally assigned engineer and a local construction team help secure community buy-in and support and speed up processes and approvals from local authorities.

Land Management - Good agricultural practices

The CATS Programme was based on the acknowledgement that good practices within the terrestrial zone augur well for the health of the coasts and marine spaces.  Thus, it worked with practitioners (farmers, foresters, agroprocessors) within this space by teaching and reinforcing good practices that could be incorporated within their operations.  A small group was also taught the specialised skills for mushroom cultivation as an alternative to traditional crop production.  This niche area was anticipated to increase food production diversity as it aligned with the practices of good resource management, recycling of byproducts and resilience.  For practitioners at the management level, the Programme supported the training of various persons in the practical application of Unmanned Aerial Systems for natural resource management and monitoring.  Since CATS Programme’s introduction of this, several other organisations both private and public sector have embarked on similar trainings for their officers. 

Resource management was an area of much focus by various actors within the stakeholder community.  Thus, the challenge of obtaining buy-in and interest was minimal.  Partners already had at least a basic understanding of the importance and relevance of effective resource management and the interconnection between the terrestrial and marine spaces.  Further, given there were several other actors in the technical support and grant sectors with whom it was possible to collaborate to maximise results.  Support from the ministries of agriculture in the various islands was also an enabling factor.  Their technical expertise helped facilitate the implementation of the various initiatives. The ministries were the principal source of technical support for all terrestrial interventions under the programme. With regard to the management level, the actors, particularly in the forestry sector, saw the technology as a very relevant intervention as they were keenly aware of their monitoring limitations and saw the tool as an opportunity to improve the scope and efficiency of their monitoring. 

The incorporation, within farming practice, of non-synthetic inputs for fertility and control of pests and weeds, though widely practiced many decades ago, is now alien to the majority of farmers.  Modern farmers rely on their crop for their livelihoods and have clearly expressed that they are not willing to experiment on their sale crops by incorporating improved practices.  They expressed concern about the risk of diminished crop quality, a situation which would reduce their revenue.  They were unconvinced that they would be able to sustain their livelihoods if they were to change their farming practice to be more environmentally friendly. Thus, and future iterations of projects seeking to improve farm practices would have to incorporate significant investment and focus on demonstration plot establishment, research and development and start-ups.  Despite having gone through a very rigorous process of participant selection for the mushroom cultivation training, it was recognised that the personal economic challenges and ambitions of the participants was an inhibiting factor; although all the trainees were keenly interested in pursuing the business start-up, they were challenged by the need to have secure revenue, and found it easier to continue their modus operandi prior to the training, as opposed to making the sacrifice needed to start the new businesses.  All this was despite the project incorporating in its design access to raw materials needed for production during the initial months of production.  The high-risk aversion of persons being encouraged to start up new businesses needs to be overcome by incorporating even more support mechanisms.  The Programme failed to complete the second phase of the remote sensing training, thus pilots trained and their organisations failed to attain the full support needed to confidently incorporate remote sensing in their operations.  Future such interventions should ensure completion of all necessary phases of support to ensure sustainability. 

Carry out a user needs survey for improved cookstoves

We conducted a needs assessment in Matondoni village with women on the use of mangrove wood for fuel.

Shared vision of the consortium members

After conducting an initial stakeholder mapping in the WIO region, the WWF Tanzania Office-led consortium initiated discussions with the WIO Mangrove Network (WIOMN) regarding potential collaboration on mangrove conservation. Through these consultations, two key barriers to the network’s past effectiveness were identified: (1) a pressing need for capacity-building initiatives, and (2) the absence of formal NGO registration. To address these gaps, the consortium strategically integrated these priorities into the project proposal, ensuring appropriate activity planning and budget allocation.

The strong, long-standing partnerships between WWF offices, IUCN, and Wetlands International - combined with their deep regional expertise in the WIO - were critical enabling factors throughout this process.

  1. Early Stakeholder Alignment is Critical: Proactively engaging core partners (WWF, IUCN, Wetlands International) during the planning phase built consensus and accelerated decision-making.
  2. Legal Status as an Enabler, Not an End Goal: Formal NGO registration was essential for governance and funding access.
  3. Adapt to Regional Complexities: Navigating varying national legal frameworks across WIO countries demanded flexible, context-specific approaches.
  4. Invest in Parallel Capacity Building: Addressing gaps in administrative/legal expertise (e.g., through partner support) proved as vital as the registration itself.
  5. Leverage Existing Networks: The Nairobi Convention and WIOMSA provided institutional credibility, reducing bureaucratic hurdles.
  6. Patience Pays Off: Legal processes took longer than anticipated; early scoping of timelines prevented unrealistic expectations.
Building block 4 – Cooperation between NOCs and local nature conservation organisations as a prerequisite for success

The IOC requires that all Olympic Forest Network projects “be developed and implemented in collaboration with the relevant experts and authorities.” All six projects that are currently part of the Network not only take this requirement into account but establish it as a corner stone of their implementation.

For example, the Papua New Guinea project involves a partnership between the NOC, local communities, the National Fisheries Authority, and the Conservation and Environment Protection Authority. The Slovenian project is partnered with the Slovenian State Forestry Company; the Spanish with the Ministry of the Environment and the Federation of Spanish Municipalities; while the Portuguese project has the technical support of the governmental Institute for Nature and Forest Conservation (ICNF) and the Abramud e Sentido Verde association. 

Requiring partnerships between NOCs and environment experts ensures that projects running under the Olympic Forest Network are as relevant and effective as can be with regards to nature conservation. Partnering with local experts and organisations also ensures that the Network can have meaningful impact not only on the environment, but also on the local communities where projects are run. Moreover, it facilitates local interest in, and ownership of, environmental work. 

  • Criteria set by the IOC requiring NOC-led projects seeking to be a part of the Olympic Forest Network “to be developed and implemented in collaboration with relevant experts and authorities”.
  • Local organisations’ environmental knowledge and expertise.
  • Interest of local environmental organisations in the (communications and engagement) potential of the Olympic Movement.

Providing basic standards and guidelines helped the NOCs find the right partners and (business) solutions locally. Thanks to this local approach, NOCs could be guided by national/local experts to find the best solution in terms of added value for ecosystems and local communities.

Building block 2 – Establishing principles for admitting National Olympic Committees’ projects to the Olympic Forest network

The IOC’s Executive Board approved several principles that NOCs would have to meet to join the Olympic Forest Network.

To have their project included in the Network, an NOC is required to submit details for the IOC’s review and approval, based on these specific criteria/principles. The review process is coordinated together with environmental experts who provide their feedback to the NOC and have the possibility to carry out field visit whenever relevant.

Projects are required to:

  • Contribute to enhancing climate and nature protection and resilience;
  • Support and be delivered in partnership with local communities;
  • Be developed and implemented in collaboration with the relevant experts and authorities; and
  • Have a long-term maintenance plan in place.

These principles help guide NOCs in the creation of their projects and ensure that all projects that are part of the Network are contribution to climate action and nature protection. The principles also ensure that projects possess certain characteristics and collaborative structures that are to ensure local impact and projects’ long-term viability.

  • Knowledge and understanding of factors that are important for designing and implementing successful nature restoration projects.
  • IOC’s practical experience with the implementation of the Olympic Forest project.
  • Collaboration between sport and nature conservation experts.

Having principles “on paper” does not automatically mean that they will be perfectly implemented and adhered to by the NOCs from the very beginning. 

The application process to this initiative is a learning and improvement path where NOCs, under the guidance of the IOC and of environmental experts, can be guided to ultimately comply with all the requirements of the initiative and to create and implement high quality projects with tangible added value and shared benefits for the ecosystems and the local communities.

Building block 1 – Using an existing initiative (the Olympic Forest) as a blueprint for National Olympic Commit-tees to initiate their own nature restoration projects.

The IOC’s Olympic Forest project – a reforestation initiative launched in Mali and Senegal – generated interest from National Olympic Committees, who expressed their wishes to take action against climate change and to implement similar projects in their own countries.

Following this interest, the IOC launched the Olympic Forest Network, where NOCs could build on the original Olympic Forest project by designing and implementing their own initiatives to restore existing forests, wildlife corridors, coastal watersheds, and ecosystems, as well as implement regenerative agriculture projects.

The Network builds on, and expands, the IOC’s Olympic Forest initiative, helping to profile Olympic Movement’s work that contributes to fighting climate change and conserving nature. It recognises local projects delivered by NOCs according to best practices and within the IOC’s framework. The IOC provides support to NOCs (guidance, technical advice for the application to the network, workshops, webinars and in some cases funding), receives their projects and assesses them using specific criteria. Thanks to its offices located worldwide, IUCN helps the IOC in providing technical feedback about the projects, carrying out field visits and reviewing the technical documentation provided by the NOCs.

 

  • The IOC’s initial design and implementation of a reforestation project
  • National Olympic Committees’ interest in environmental work
  • The original implementing organisation’s (i.e. IOC) desire to expand its original project and support the organisations driving these secondary projects
  • The collaborative spirit encouraged by the Olympic Movement and facilitated by the IOC’s organisational structure (NOCs as constituents of the Olympic Movement under the leadership of the IOC)
  • Good communication between the IOC and NOCs

The establishment of clear guidelines and criteria for this type of initiative is essential to avoid the multiplication of low-quality projects with low added value and benefits for nature conservation and local communities. Leading by example in this field helps to drive the Olympic Movement into proper planning and proper allocation.

Stand on existing binational platforms

Three binational (Canada-United States) commissions play a role in the protection and restoration of the Great Lakes, including the Great Lakes Commission (GLC), Great Lakes Fishery Commission (GLFC), and International Joint Commission (IJC). More specific to the Great Lakes, the work of the IJC is supported through the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). While none of these commissions explicitly represents and advances an agenda related to protected and conserved area (PCA) networks, they share goals and have capacities that can support such networks. 

To this end, the Great Lakes Protected Areas Network (GLPAN) continues to find opportunities to profile PCAs, meet its network ambitions, and address conservation issues by standing on these platforms. In particular, the GLWQA has specific Annexes addressing the priority issues which are also of importance to PCAs, such as Habitat and Species, Climate Change, Aquatic Invasive Species, Science, and Lakewide Management. Engaging with the GLWQA is an effective means to address conservation at scale and represents a significant return on investment given the capacity and collaborative support partners bring. More specifically, "Lakewide Action and Management Plans" (5 year rotation on each of the 5 Great Lakes) and "Cooperative Science and Monitoring Initiatives" are two GLWQA initiatives that PCAs and PCA networks can lever and contribute to help advance conservation efforts.    

  • There are members on GLPAN who either work for a respective Commission or are actively involved in GLWQA committees. 
  • The efforts of the GLWQA and GLFC on issues such as aquatic invasive species, climate change, habitat and species, and water quality are collaborative in nature and implemented at a scale.  
  • While other platforms/forums may be involved in protection and restoration, PCAs may need to be prepared to express their own issues and concerns, that is, don't assume others will represent.
  • There are agencies working on Great Lakes protection and restoration space at a policy-level and welcome the opportunity to practice in a place-based manner with PCAs. 
Community and Government Engagement

First, we identify a suitable community – one that is threatened by fire and has the will to address the problem, and ideally has an established community group. On the Tonle Sap Lake we have worked with Community Fishery Organizations (CFi’s), Community Protected Area Organizations (CPA’s), and Villages to implement CBFiM. Engaging a formal community organization with a recognized structure has several advantages, including recognized community leadership, management capacity, financial resources such as bank accounts, and recognition by the local authorities. First, we seek advice from local government authorities on which communities have the necessary capacity to take part in CBFiM. We then meet with community leaders to gain their support, before engaging with Women’s Saving’s Groups who can provide financial support. From this we develop the community wildfire management team which should be integrated with both the Village and Commune authorities. The community wildfire management team forms the basis of CBFiM.

Successful establishment of CBFiM requires:

  • A committed community with sufficient management capacity and the support of local authorities.
  • The presence of an established community group such as a Community Fishery or Community Protected Area, whilst not essential, provides a structure upon which CBFiM can be adapted and built.
  • Strong support from the local authorities at the Village, Commune and District levels.

In engaging communities and Government we have learnt that:

  • As community leaders such as CFi and CPA Committee members tend to be older men we encourage diversifying the Community Wildfire Management Team through engaging women and younger people.
  • Women have an important role to play as they traditionally manage household finances and can remind the fire management group about fire season preparedness.
  • Younger members, whilst often difficult to engage, bring greater energy to the hard physical work of fire suppression.
  • Gaining the early support of local government helps integrate them into the community management plan which can be codeveloped through engagement at both the District and Provincial levels of government.
  • Continuous government support is maintained through frequent meetings of the Fisheries Coordination Team which brings communities and government together to discuss fisheries issues including wildfire.
Scoping Mission and Preliminary Study to Identify and Select Potential Urban EbA Measures in Dong Hoi City

In order to identify the most feasable urban EbA measures with the highest potential to pilot in Dong Hoi city, the first step was to carry out a scoping mission and a preliminary study to collect and analyse data to provide a scientific basis for the consultation process. The objective was to provide a detailed review and analysis of previous studies and information gathered through structured stakeholder engagement via interviews, focus group discussions and stakeholder consultations for a participatory selection of pilot measures with relevant partners. 

The scoping mission and the preliminary study were conducted to provide further insight into the specific vulnerabilities and the possible adaptation responses for Dong Hoi city. The findings were used to identify a short list of urban EbA measures as well as any outstanding knowledge gaps and/or information needs for the next steps. 

A multi-stakeholder engagement event was held to promote an open dialogue between stakeholders to discuss key issues related to climate impacts and local vulnerabilities. This knowledge exchange among key stakeholders strengthened relationships among key partners, enhanced partners’ understanding of urban EbA measures as well as generated knowledge to fill information and data gaps identified in the preliminary study.

Selection Process
Analysis: The identification, development and assessment of the selected urban EbA measures was based on a functionalistic approach in which the cause and effect of the main hazards compiled during the preliminary assessment and the scoping mission provided the basis for the revision of final measures. These measures, based on the causes of the key problems and their linkages to current and future climate hazards, were meant to take into account short-term and long-term considerations as much as possible.

Selection: The selection criteria were based on the Friends of Ecosystem-based Adaptation (FEBA) Assessment Framework for EbA Quality Standards. It was used in a participatory selection exercise during the second multi-stakeholder event and during consultation with key partners. The use of the framework provided a scientific and transparent selection process, based on an internationally endorsed tool.

The final measures, based on this selection process, was defined as: 1) Cau Rao EbA River Park (water retention areas), 2) Rain Gardens (green wall and green roof) and 3) Water Flow Management (SUDS).

  • Stakeholder consultation and urban EbA measures selection process were conducted with active participation of relevant stakeholders (public and private) from local to provincial levels, aiming at awareness raising on urban EbA concepts, bringing together stakeholder views and perceptions, ensuring local relevance of the selected measures and involvement of stakeholders in the implementation process. Thus it brings a good cooperation, engagement and a learning attitude from local authorities and stakeholders for the topics and their willingness to change, making the urban EbA selection exercise more interesting and practical
  • Deep understanding of challenges, needs and expectations of key stakeholders towards climate change adaptation measures for their sector development and provision of useful advice 
  • Exchange and dialogue between relevant stakeholders and involvement in shared discussions on their roles, mandates and cooperation in their daily work to enhance sector resilience 
  • Leading role of key stakeholders in selection and decision processes
  • Awareness raising of provincial partners about climate change adaptation and urban EbA through their integration in the process of data collection, focused group discussions, stakeholder consultations and the selection process 
  • Early involvement of key partners and the private sector into participatory processes to enhance their ownership of the process and the selected urban EbA measures
  • Facilitation of communication and cooperation between different government entities and the private sector in the processes to ensure a successful implementation in the next phase