Several cost-benefit analyses provided insights into the main trade-offs between different agricultural systems. To compensate farmers for conserving and restoring ecosystem services of the floodplains, they received support to cover the costs of the transition to flood-based agriculture and resist pressures to convert additional low dyke areas into closed control zones with high dykes that would exclude the land from flooding. In some areas a hybrid model was used, with low dykes controlling the timing of flood arrival/recession to support double-cropping and flood-based cropping (instead of the traditional third rice crop). In the case of lotus farming systems, flood-based agriculture enabled diversification of activities, including fish raising, ecotourism and recreational opportunities.

The design of the intervention recognised the challenges across the Mekong Delta, which were also captured in the 2013 Mekong Delta Plan. The Nature-based Solution intervention strategically addressed knowledge gaps, capacity needs of farmers and regional planning challenges, working collaboratively with other similar initiatives. The intervention responded to interactions between the environment and society in terms of improving livelihoods through flood-based agriculture. While initial IUCN pilot interventions remained limited and small-scale, collaboration across similar projects and recent policy developments currently support the development of a large-scale intervention across the 1.4 million ha of the Upper Mekong Delta floodplain.

The PODD Platform is the disease surveillance software powering PODD including a mobile app, outbreak manager, and API.

Disease data is collected into decentralized repositories owned and managed by local health and government officials via the PODD Manager. They are able to run reports and analyze the real-time data coming in from farms. When enough cases of sick animals with similar characteristics are reported within a defined radius, PODD Manager triggers the following actions:

1. Automated alerts are sent to local health authorities who manage the reported area.

2. Preliminary guidance is automatically delivered to the volunteer, instructing them to quarantine the animal and disinfect the surrounding areas. 

3. The local officials will then communicate directly with the livestock owner via a chat feature within PODD Manager and dispatch a local response team, if necessary. 

4. Local responders collect lab samples and work with community members on preventative or outbreak control measures.

5. All activity tracking and case outcomes are recorded in PODD Manager for historical case reporting.

The participation of “disease detectives” powers digital disease surveillance systems for local governments by better equipping them with relevant and timely data. Local health authorities can monitor the status of sick animals in real-time from their offices as farmers take pictures and upload them to the PODD system.

The creation of the series came about because we identified the need to communicate differently about biodiversity.

During our expeditions we have recorded several species in high quality videos, and in our networks we published those videos, but we saw that there was little interaction from people who did not know about the birds or those who were interested.

In that sense, we came up with the idea of making a digital series, with the intention of making a different way about the biodiversity of the Alto Mayo. We had to design the series, evaluate possible recording scenarios, select fauna, build stories, plan logistics, make alliances with audiovisual production companies, expert professionals, audiovisual production, and post production.

We had knowledge of the local biodiversity, and at the same time we knew what we were looking to show in terms of biological importance and possible national and international audience interest.

In addition, we consider the product to be very valuable in terms of photographic and video record, dating back to 4 years of monitoring and recording wildlife species.

Although there was a managing agency, the governance structure needed broader formal input, especially for a decision making mechanism. 

So a management committee, including the management authority, a water authority, local government, community representatives and regional government was initiated. 

The management committee has a chair, who has the responsibility to convene regular contact and meetings, and also special meetings to address issues or make decisions on management as the requirement emerges. 

For the first ten years after protected area designation, the management authority was in place but operating without a management plan. They did not have the internal capacity or knowledge to develop a plan that addressed the requirements for management of a protected landscape. 

The management plan was developed to provide the objectives, activities and indicators for measuring the outcomes. The plan included a ten year program of activities, with opportunity for a review and amendments after five years. 

The small grant program was a financial mechanism to allow ideas to be developed into projects that benefit the environment and local people. It allowed community members to demonstrate that sustainable tourism, agriculture, water management and recreation were feasible and how they benefit the area. 

Both individuals and NGOs were given the opportunity to apply for grants up to EUR 20,000 for local initiatives. Prospective grantees were given guidelines, including the requirement that the proposal implemented objectives or activities of the management, especially in priority areas. The grantees also were required to consult with the authority for protected areas, who are responsible for the management of the Buna River Velipoje protected landscape. 

A panel consisting of project partners and local authorities worked together to assess and decide on successful grants. 

For the final activity of a secondary Buna project, which focussed on youth and community engagement, we brought together the grantees to take the lead in running a weekend of community events to celebrate the nature of Buna. The events included a media tour for ecotourism, a concert on the river and a day of education and tours for school students in the protected area. 

The training sessions targetted community members and CSOs, and aimed to provide the basis for them to be able to develop and propose project ideas effectively. 

As the objective was for collaborative protection and management of the protected landscape, the management plan for the Buna River protected area was the first topic, for a shared understanding of the plan and local management objectives. 

Secondly, the focus was on threats to the natural values - which helped participants understand what they could focus efforts on to have the most positive impact.

An upcoming grant program was then introduced, and a session held on how to develop project ideas and apply for grants that aligned with the call. Some key environmental issues in the area, plus key activities in the management plan were highlighted.