Capacity building, Knowledge sharing and awareness raising on CBEMR with Stakeholders

This building block empowers local communities, government agencies, and other stakeholders with the knowledge, skills, and tools needed to implement and sustain effective mangrove restoration initiatives. Through strategic engagement and capacity-building efforts, stakeholders are equipped with the technical expertise and resources required for Community-Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR). These efforts include identifying and training CBEMR champions to act as catalysts for knowledge dissemination and practical restoration activities within their communities and institutions.

Wetlands International initiated capacity-building activities by engaging local communities in Lamu and Tana through CBOs, CFAs, and key government agencies, including KFS, KEFRI, KMFRI, the Lamu County Government, as well as CSOs such as WWF and the Northern Rangelands Trust. Women comprised 50% of the participants, taking a leading role in hands-on mangrove restoration efforts. Training sessions included sound restoration techniques based on the CBEMR approach, conducted in English and translated into Swahili for greater accessibility. These sessions integrated practical, relatable mangrove science with indigenous knowledge, fostering inclusivity and community ownership.

In addition, stakeholders were provided with simple tools such as refractometers and pH strips to conduct salinity and acidity tests, along with resources to support monitoring and adaptive management. 

CBEMR champions, nominated from CFAs, BMUs, youth groups, women groups, and government agencies, further amplified these efforts. These champions assist in mobilising communities, raising awareness, conducting restoration activities, monitoring progress, and performing ecological and social assessments. Government agency champions also serve as Trainers of Trainers (ToTs) to ensure continuous capacity building within their institutions and communities.

Based on the success of the initial trainings in Lamu and other sites, Lamu KFS officials together with Wetlands International identified the need to spread this knowledge mainly at the policy and management levels within KFS among other key stakeholders. In partnership with KFS and MAP, we organised a CBEMR managerial training for the senior managers and coastal forest managers at KFS, Directors of Environment Department from the Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Tana River, and Lamu counties, academia from Kenya School of Forestry and Kenyatta University, partner organisations in Global Mangrove Alliance namely IUCN, WWF and TNC, and representatives from the Western Indian Ocean Mangrove Network and local journalists with specialisation in environmental issues. 

Collaboration with CSOs, the Global Mangrove Alliance, and other partners enhanced the initiative’s reach and impact, enabling regular training and knowledge-sharing activities across the mangrove regions.

 

 

Participatory and Holistic Approaches: CBEMR’s participatory design connects resource users with research institutions, local governments, conservation agencies, and civil society, leveraging their local and expert knowledge. This approach ensures holistic engagement and integration of diverse perspectives.

Strategic Selection and Empowerment of Champions: Champions were chosen based on leadership qualities, communication skills, and interest in mangrove conservation. Ensuring diverse representation, including women, youth, and community leaders, enhanced inclusivity. Champions were empowered with knowledge, skills, resources, and ongoing mentorship, ensuring effective community mobilisation and knowledge transfer. Clearly defined roles and responsibilities help to ensure that champions understand their contributions and can effectively advocate for mangrove conservation within their communities and agencies. Wetlands International helped create a system for communication and coordination, feedback mechanisms through regular meetings, and opportunities for knowledge sharing and joint problem-solving. Other than training, empowering champions has been key to the success of the initiative. This involves providing them with the necessary resources, including tools and financial support to ensure they can effectively carry out their tasks. Equally important is recognising and valuing their contributions, offering incentives that motivate them and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth. This approach not only strengthens their commitment but also inspires others to actively participate in mangrove conservation efforts.

Strong Partnerships: Collaboration between Wetlands International, KFS, KEFRI, KMFRI, local communities, and CSOs facilitated effective knowledge sharing, resource mobilisation, and policy influence.

Gender Roles and Social Groupings: Recognising women’s central role in mangrove restoration activities and the relatively well-established CBOs in Lamu fostered greater engagement and ownership among stakeholders. Gender-sensitive planning ensured that initiatives were inclusive and impactful.

Access to Information and Resources: Training materials in English and Swahili, simple-to-use tools, and practical workshops enhanced knowledge transfer, enabling stakeholders to implement CBEMR effectively.

Supportive Policy Environment: Training efforts influenced KFS and other government agencies to integrate CBEMR principles into national guidelines and management strategies, fostering a conducive policy framework for sustainable mangrove restoration. Working with KFS and KEFRI on the use and application of the CBEMR approach provided for review of the national restoration guidelines which take into consideration the information on CBEMR.

Adaptive Management Approach: Regular monitoring of restoration activities allowed stakeholders to adapt strategies, learn from experiences, and improve outcomes over time, ensuring long-term success.

Knowledge Sharing is Critical: Disseminating information and best practices in local languages ensures inclusivity, promoting wider adoption of the CBEMR approach. Making information accessible facilitates understanding, contribution, and participation across diverse communities.

Champions are Powerful Agents of Change: Investing in targeted champions with influence and networks amplifies the reach and impact of mangrove restoration efforts. Empowering them with skills, resources, and incentives strengthens their commitment and inspires broader community engagement.

Diversity and Representation Matter: Selecting champions from diverse backgrounds ensures that restoration initiatives are inclusive and responsive to varying community needs.

Collaboration Enhances Effectiveness: Facilitating collaboration among champions and stakeholders promotes cross-learning, knowledge sharing, and collective action, boosting the effectiveness of restoration efforts.

Policies Must Be Adaptive: Flexible policies informed by monitoring data and lessons learned are essential for addressing emerging challenges and improving restoration practices. For this National-level forest managers should be engaged in local and sub-national based restoration initiatives to aid in the development of mangrove forest policies. For instance, based on the success of the first CBEMR training in Lamu, area KFS officers identified the need to spread this knowledge to the KFS managerial team and senior policy-level managers, and other key stakeholders. 

Empowerment Drives Success: Providing champions with tools, financial support, and opportunities for personal and professional growth inspires commitment and fosters sustainable community-driven conservation.

One Health Task Force (OHTF)

The One Health Task Force (OHTF) is a collaborative platform for the local government. It usually mirrors the structure of the One Health platform at the national level. The OHFT generally consists of 5-7 people representing the local administration and the core line ministries (Health, Agriculture and Livestock, Environment and Natural Resource or equivalent). Other members may include representatives from the Women and Social Affairs, Education, and Disaster Risk Prevention and Management. The OHTF oversees the organization and delivery of the integrated health services via the OHU and guarantees the monitoring of its performance. OHTF members are trained on the concept of One Health and the Standard Operating Procedures for the establishment of the OHU. Selected OHTF members are trained as trainers to support cascading the training to service providers and other government staff. By taking increasing ownership and responsibility, the OHTF ensures the sustainability of the OHU and its gradual recognition and funding as effective service delivery model for pastoralist communities. 

  • National One Health structure in place to ease operationalisation at the community level

The OHTF can facilitate the communication with One Health institutions at the sub-national and national level, promoting the recognition of the OHU in national development and strategic plans.

Multi-Stakeholders Innovation Platform (MSIP)

The Multi-Stakeholders Innovation Platform (MSIP) is a collaborative platform for community members. It includes about 15-20 women and men selected by the community and representing different community groups (e.g., traditional and religious leaders, community-based service providers, traditional healers, teachers, businessmen/women, representatives from the local rangeland institution). Where possible, MSIPs build on already established and functional groups that work at the community level on a voluntary basis. MSIP members are trained on the concept of One Health, leadership and management. Other training activities can be organised to enhance their skills and competencies and ensure their active engagement in specific community-based interventions. The MSIPs meet on monthly basis to discuss local issues and jointly identify suitable solutions to, for example, disease outbreaks and other health threats, livestock densities and movements, pasture availability, and water access.

  • Initial engagement of traditional and local leaders to increase community ownership  
  • Balanced representation of all groups to ensure participation of the entire local community

Non-financial incentives (e.g., training, clean-up kits, visibility items) motivate the voluntary-basis group and can support its active engagement in the long-run. 

One Health Unit (OHU)

The One Health Unit (OHU) is a collaborative platform for service providers and community-based actors. It serves as primary means for the planning and delivery of integrated human, animal, environmental and rangeland health services at the community level. The OHU can be mobile, static or a mix of the two delivery modes. Mobile OHUs follow the routes of pastoralists and their livestock, providing services according to a monthly schedule and addressing the needs of different herding communities. Static OHUs provide services from a shared facility (e.g., human/animal health post, water point or other village gathering site) where service providers work side by side. The OHU is staffed by service providers coming from different government departments, including health workers from the local Health Office or referral Health Facility, animal health technicians from the local Livestock Office or any public or private veterinary facility, and National Resource Management officers or Environmental Health officers from the local Office. The OHU also includes community-based actors (such as Community Health Volunteers and Community Animal Health Workers) which facilitate the mobilisation of people and guide the discussion around health threats and other events affecting local communities.

  • Joint training of service providers to create trust and support collaborative approaches
  • Joint supportive supervision to further the collaboration across sectors during service delivery

Gender-balanced OHU team can improve the quality and acceptability of health services and ultimately increase their utilisation by all community members.

Woman working in Bamboo Processing Unit (PU) in implementation area of Forests4Future.
Bamboo Seedling Production
Bamboo Plantation Establishment and Restoration
Bamboo as Major Input for Gully Rehabilitation
Local Bamboo Value-Added Processing Units
Bamboo Training and Capacity Building
Woman working in Bamboo Processing Unit (PU) in implementation area of Forests4Future.
Bamboo Seedling Production
Bamboo Plantation Establishment and Restoration
Bamboo as Major Input for Gully Rehabilitation
Local Bamboo Value-Added Processing Units
Bamboo Training and Capacity Building
Study on the Carrying Capacity

As part of the Management Plan for the Guadalupe Environmental Protection Area (APA) and in support of the ZATAN, the environmental agencies of Pernambuco (Semas/PE and CPRH) conducted a study on the carrying capacity of the beaches and reefs in Tamandaré and Sirinhaém, as well as on Santo Aleixo Island. The study provides calculations and recommendations regarding the number of visitors, vessels, and tourist activities that this region can support without compromising its natural characteristics and the health of its ecosystems.

Specifically, the study indicates that the number of vessels operating in the estuary of the Formoso River should be limited to 129 boats per day. Additionally, catamarans are restricted to a maximum of 60 passengers each, and small boats are limited to 9 passengers.

For further details regarding the maximum number of visitors and vessels allowed at specific embarkation and disembarkation points, please refer to the clipboards distributed in the region.

The study encompassed various areas, including areas for circulation of vessels, embarkation and disembarkation, visiting reefs, recreational use, nautical activities and boat trips. In order to implement such a complex study and obtain robust and detailed results to guide the management of the area, in-depth knowledge of the region, established relationships with local stakeholders and direct access to the areas are indispensable. Relying solely on theoretical knowledge and secondary data from desk studies is insufficient.

The study on the area’s carrying capacity was crucial to determine the specific number of boats, passengers and visitors that the area can support without compromising the health of its ecosystem, and to subsequently provide more concrete guidelines for implementing the zoning instrument (ZATAN). In addition, transforming the information of the study into user-friendly communication products, such as the clipboards, is essential to ensure that local stakeholders, especially local boat owners, tourism companies and authorities, are aware of these limits, and adhere to and enforce the regulation. 

Institutionalisation

With the zoning proposal agreed in the workshops, 116 representatives of the various segments of the community in the Formoso estuary region participated in a public hearing that was open to all stakeholders. As a result of the commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders, a decree was drafted and approved in January 2021, at the 100th meeting of the Council of the State of Pernambuco (Consema). Decree no. 50.049/2021 establishes rules for nautical activities in the estuary of the Formoso River, including for recreational, tourist and traditional fishing activities. It also regulates which activities are permitted, prohibited (e.g. visitation, fishing) or encouraged (e.g. monitoring, research, cleaning) in specific areas of the estuary. It proclaims the importance of protecting and preserving the ecosystem and the livelihoods of local communities.

The involvement of all members of the community was important to promote an understanding of the need for arrangements to ensure the continuity of activities for the livelihoods of the communities in the region, while respecting the environment and the specific characteristics of the area. The active involvement of local stakeholders in the process strengthened their role as guardians of the region. The continuous participation of the stakeholders and their commitment to addressing environmental and territorial issues facilitated the implementation of certain measures proposed by ZATAN even before the State Decree was published.

The public hearing was particularly important to facilitate exchange between the different sectors and authorities, and to facilitate the participation of citizens in the decision-making processes. This extensive and rich process of participation and contribution from everyone made it possible to agree upon and approve a state decree to institutionalise the zoning instrument (ZATAN).

Building the Participatory Proposal

The area is very complex and dynamic in terms of socioeconomic and environmental change and cannot be analysed on the basis of secondary data alone. It was therefore necessary to observe and listen to the people who live and work in the region. After a period of interviews, site visits, and various technical, institutional and local meetings, three participatory workshops were conducted.

In a participatory process, consulting all stakeholders about the various interests in the area and about the different points of view regarding the zoning of the area is essential. The effective participation of local and institutional actors enabled an environment conducive to exchanging information, recording knowledge and propositions, and subsequently institutionalising the zoning instrument with the support of local stakeholders.

The process involved intensive listening, negotiation and conflict mediation. Effective participation fostered an atmosphere of unity and collective exchange that was fundamental for the success of the workshops and the overall process.

Preliminary Diagnosis and raising awareness of stakeholders

The first meeting to plan the ZATAN process took place in July 2018. In the same month, several technical meetings were held with the institutions involved to agree on the activities required for setting up the zoning process. The preliminary diagnosis of the ZATAN consultant team began with extensive research and analysis of existing data and documents, such as environmental impact studies, dissertations and theses, environmental laws, spatial and environmental planning instruments, as well as management plans for the area.

Based on this analysis, several field visits were made to observe the particularities of the territory. In addition to the observation process, interviews were conducted with fishermen and -women, boat owners, shellfish gatherers, and traditional communities such as Quilombolas, among others. The aim was to understand the local reality, map nautical activities and raise awareness among the various stakeholders of the importance of their participation in developing the ZATAN. 

Not only did the team analyse the area, its environmental vulnerabilities and potential, they also listened to the people who live in the area. The goal was to understand the dynamics of local nautical and tourist activities and the related conflicts and, above all, to engage people in the process.

The engagement of the diverse stakeholders throughout the whole process of developing the zoning instrument was an important outcome of the awareness-raising initiatives carried out during this period.