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.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.