HARPA leverages Kitabisa.org's digital platform to connect multiple funding sources (public donors and corporate partners) with conservation NGOs. The system enables transparent fund distribution, real-time tracking, and impact reporting. This approach ensures sustainable funding for conservation programs while maintaining accountability to all stakeholders.
Enabling factors:
Kitabisa.org's trusted digital infrastructure
Established corporate partnership network
Strong public crowdfunding community
Transparent reporting system
Efficient fund distribution mechanism
Lessons learned:
Transparency in fund allocation and impact reporting is crucial for building long-term donor trust
Combining crowdfunding with corporate funding creates more stable resource streams
Personalized programs for corporate partners significantly increase engagement
Regular progress updates to donors improve retention rates
Create and manage a high quality roost site for shorebirds
Video surveillance monitoring of waterbird communities
Building Block 2. Restoration and Environmental Actions
New Stairs
Mercy Mbogelah
Level 5
Mercy Mbogelah
The Castle
Mercy Mbogelah
This Building Block involved the following actions:
Constructing a protective gabion wall to mitigate wave action and coastal erosion.
Planting mangrove trees along the coast to stabilize the shoreline and protect against sea level rise, erosion, and storm surges.
Rehabilitating stairs at Husuni Kubwa Palace which had been impacted by natural forces, specifically wave action.
These actions were informed by the assessment carried out using the CVI.
The rehabilitation of the stairs at Husuni Kubwa Palace was made possible through the involvement of built heritage specialists who were invited to train the "Ruins Committee"—a group of sixteen individuals responsible for managing the Ruins of Kilwa Kisiwani and Songo Mnara—on how to reconstruct the palace stairs using the original materials. The training programme was facilitated by the participation of a staff member and trainer to the Stone Conservation Course organised by ICCROM in Mexico in 2018. The learnings of the course were greatly helpful in knowledge sharing during the course and in monitoring restoration activities.
The main lesson learned from these actions is the importance of integrating capacity building and nature-based solutions with traditional restoration techniques to enhance climate resilience and heritage preservation.
Building Block 1. Assessment using the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI)
The methodology of the Climate Vulnerability Index (CVI) was applied to assess the risks and threats posed by climate impacts like wave action, sea level rise, erosion, and precipitation, informing the actions taken. The application was carried out in combination with a regional training that took place in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, together with other site managers and heritage practitioners from Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda. The training and application was supported by the James Cook University, Australia.
The application of CVI was made possible thanks to the support of institutions such as the James Cook University of Australia, ICOMOS and ICCROM. Though the participation to the CVI project in Africa, site managers and heritage practitioners from Tanzania, Nigeria and Uganda were also invited to join the 27th annual United Nations meeting on climate (COP27) in Egypt to share their experience and knowledge.
This Building Block shows the importance of connecting with other practitioners in monitoring and assessing our sites for any climate change induced effects. But it also highlights the significant value of connecting with other site managers and heritage practitioners from around the world, particularly when it came to exchanging knowledge about our heritage sites, the methods we use to care for them, and our perspectives on their preservation.
Phase 3: The hydroponic fodder production facility was launched, supplying high-quality fodder to local farms and initiating monitoring and evaluation to track progress and impact.The flexibility of the hydroponic system allows for adaptation to farmers' needs, offering scalability depending on resource availability. Smaller, premanufactured systems can be used initially, reducing the financial burden for farmers, while locally sourced materials can further cut costs before larger setups are adopted. In many rural areas where men often migrate in search of employment, women have increasingly taken on significant agricultural roles. By learning smart farming techniques such as hydroponics, women gain critical skills in business and resource management. These new capabilities not only improve their self-reliance but also empower them to become leaders in their communities, inspiring other women to engage in sustainable farming and advocate for gender equality.
Phase 2: Training sessions were conducted for local farmers on hydroponic techniques and livestock management, emphasizing sustainable practices and resource efficiency.
To bring this vision to life, a reputable Spanish supplier, known for its advanced hydroponic systems, was selected through a competitive tender process. This company, with decades of experience in developing hydroponic technologies, provided a full-service package, including business consultancy, system manufacturing, delivery, installation, and setup. Recently, the company’s expert visited Tajikistan to oversee the installation of the hydroponic system and provide hands-on training to local farmers. These sessions addressed common challenges in hydroponic farming, such as managing root rot and bacterial diseases, ensuring that farmers could effectively manage their new systems from the start.
Phase 1: The project commenced with a comprehensive planning phase involving requirement analysis, market research, and site preparation for the hydroponic systems.
The concept of using hydroponics for fodder production was born out of the urgent need for sustainable and efficient farming practices to combat ongoing challenges such as changing weather patterns and limited agricultural infrastructure in Tajikistan. Traditional farming methods have struggled to meet the growing demand for fodder, especially as these environmental and structural constraints intensify. Extensive research into innovative agricultural methods led to the discovery of hydroponics—a solution that offers enhanced productivity while minimizing the use of vital resources like water and land.
Saint Martin Island has been selected by the Bangladeshi Department of Forest and Department of Environment to go through the IUCN Green List process. A Bangladeshi expert in Marine Protected Area conducted the Green List self-assessment exercise with key stakeholders, and wrote the report, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of the young marine conserved area. Coral reef protection and turtle conservation are both key management objectives in Saint Martin Island management plan.
The site visit to Tioman was instrumental in bringing and reinforcing technical knowledge on both topics, to eventually improve conservation outcomes. The Green List engagement provides a strategic framework, encompassing these specific activities and ensuring they are sustained in the future, because they serve a higher ambition: inscribe Saint-Martin Island Marine Protected Area on the IUCN Green List.
The expert also developed the site action plan, to guide improvement towards the Green List Standard. Turtle conservation and coral reef monitoring are included, which will help secure that the knowledge gained through the site visit in Tioman will be kept and put into practice.
