Promote the CCCA model to engage communities in conservation and to develop sustainable livelihoods
Local villgers get loans from community fund and start pig raising
Global Environment Institute
The demonstration of the CCCA model in pilot communities could show the Myanmar government what impact can be made if communities are involved in conservation actions and if benefits are provided for these actions. Supported by CEPF, GEI and four local NGO partners expanded the project communities to 27, conserving two more critical ecosystems: Inle Lake and Moeyingyi Wetlands. The total area conserved by the communities increased to almost 17,000 hectares. There was also an increase in participating households, from 4,565 to 21,615 people.
Good relationships with diverse stakeholders, such as central and local governments, local communities and local NGOs enabled the success of this building block.
The projects showed positive engagement with communities. Even though some communities lacked motivation and there were difficulties in communicating with them, the implementing NGOs exerted much effort to discuss projects with local people and to show that they respected community needs and willingness. However, the projects have had less success in engaging government agencies and companies. As important stakeholders, they were not identified through the initial stakeholder analysis process and did not share the same level of understanding of the CCCA projects with NGOs and communities. Their engagement and participation need to be considered in future projects.
Enhancing local NGO capacity in implementing an innovative conservation model
Training workshop on CCCA model
Global Environment Institute
The CCCA model is still new in Myanmar and it is important to help local NGOs to understand and accept that conservation needs local community participation, and that they need to receive benefits from conservation actions. GEI conducted two trainings focusing on the CCCA model and its implementation and invited international experts who had extensive experience in community-based conservation, to share knowledge and experience. GEI also supported a local NGO for on-site implementation, providing consultation and connection to different donors.
Local NGO trust and support and their willingness to accept CCCA model are key factors for success.
The effectiveness of the trainings and building feedback/communication mechanisms are critical. Even though the local partner NGOs have already done a very good job of implementing \ projects and creating positive outcomes, some key factors of the CCCA model, such as penalty and data collection, were still missing in the projects. More effective training sessions and more comprehensive communication mechanisms between GEI and local NGOs could help improve it.
