Partnerships between key local actors and multi-sectorial, transboundary collaborations
Effective communication
Situational Analysis—National Context for enforcement of selected Protected Area
In order to develop your enforcement strategy there are key pieces of information that must be collated and understood. These include lay of the land (why is the protected area important, what are the natural assets that need protection), legal framework (what laws apply, what agencies are involved in protected area enforcement/management), and finally what do you want to focus on: enforcement goals.
Informed, capacitated people should be involved in the process. Enforcement goals need to be S.M.A.R.T (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound), this can only happen if the context is correctly represented.
Context is key in the design of enforcement goals. Having a participatory process gets support and buy in from partner agencies and communities making enforcement “easier”.
Good Relations with the Mandated Management Institution of the MPA
Prior Assessments to Identify Capacity Gaps
Expertise Necessary for the Capacity Building Process
Transfer of knowledge on new methods of ecological restoration through seeding
One of the main objectives of the project was to transfer the seed bombing method developed by XGraines, and adapting it to the material, human and knowledge resources available within tribal communities. This action required the implementation of several training workshops, following a preliminary phase of identification of all locally mobilizable resources. The experiments were carried out directly with the participants, who were able to contribute to the implementation of the method in a co-constructed process that could guarantee the proper appropriation of this technique. A main local referent was trained throughout the process and will be able to pass on this acquired knowledge in the future within the community.
The tribe's representatives' interest in experimentation and their good understanding of the project's objectives is one of the main factors that favoured the project. The selection of participants who were already engaged in ecological restoration actions before the project demonstrates their commitment and willingness to improve and develop techniques in a field (reforestation and production) that is familiar to them.
The transfer of knowledge and learning process required multiple workshops and work sessions.
Carrying out a shared diagnosis for the selection of plant species and trial site selection.
Native seeds collected by volunteers
Nicolas Rinck
Identification of target species by the botanist expert in the presence of project volunteers
Tristan Allignol
One of the prerequisites for action was to work with the project referents in the tribe to conduct an inventory of potential sites for seed planting trials, as well as to identify and select certain target plant species necessary for the process. This step involved mobilizing specific expertise in ecology and botany, also traditional knowledge, as well as putting in place a validation process by the different levels of local authorities involved.
Good communication with the local leaders in the tribes was a critical factor in completing this step. Project presentation ceremonies were held, followed by several field visits with ecological experts to list the range of possibilities and entrust the final choice of these trial sites to the local leaders. The project coordinators were flexible in adapting to the constraints of the location and human factors related to the desired modes of the organization by the local leaders.
Remain flexible in the implementation of solutions; remain attentive to local community referents in order to arrive at a shared and agreed diagnosis and validate project options that local partners have appropriated.
