Construction of a private-public agreeement and a tool for the evaluation of coral reef nurseries
There was a need to collaborate between stakeholders and secure the resources to carry out specific field activities like the monitoring and evaluation of coral reef nurseries, which cannot be carried out solely by the public or the private sector indenpendently. In the DR, an agreement between the CDRC (Dominican Coastal Restoration Consortium) and the Ministry of Environment was signed so that the CDRC could lead the monitoring and evaluation of every coral nursery in the country, with the technical support of the Ministry.
In order to carry out the monitoring and evaluation of coral nurseries, the CDRC created a specific manual.
Willingness of public and private institutions to work toghether.
A shared objective for both institutions.
The need of monitoring and evaluation of nurseries all along the country.
Technical and scientific knowledge and expertise.
Involvement of public institutions in processes carried out by private sector or NGOs is key to achieve goals and have access to projects, in this case nurseries, in every part of the country.
A good explanation, including field activities, for government officials and decision makers is key to achieve engagement.
A good suggestion would be to try to keep things simple. An agreement like this one should be easy to understand and focused on one specific subject.
There is a growing consensus about the need for and possibility of directing research and innovation efforts towards achieving conservation using eco-friendly technologies.
The Institute uses technology for development mainly for facilitating key processes in the communities and addressing climate change. However, there is consultation with the communities and indigenous peoples, as they are the ones who have the last word when implementing these projects.
Alliances with companies and/or organizations that provide technology.
Feedback from those who choose to implement the technology for an ongoing improvement process.
With respect to the other pillars, consultation with communities is essential to obtaining and using technologies.
The Mamirauá Institute provides scientific knowledge inputs to local communities and this is relayed to communities and indigenous peoples, applying Conservation Area governance processes.
This knowledge arises from 4 lines of action:
Environmental education
Environmental protection
Strengthening the community
Communication within the community
The production of knowledge seeks to create medium and long-term solutions.
Respect and dialogue: The knowledge generated is given to the communities but not imposed on them. They are the ones who decide whether the proposed strategies are implemented.
Each community and group is different and one should never assume that what works for one community will work for the neighbouring community. (These are not replicable models.)
Contexts, leadership and ways of working vary. If these differences are not taken into account, conservation processes become complicated and even impossible to develop.
In the Dominican Republic, coral reef restoration became a popular alternative to try to safeguard this ecosystems. At the beginning, it started to grow rapidly lacking control and causing many nurseries to become abandoned. This concern triggered the creation of the Dominican Coastal Restoration Consortium (CDRC), a Multi-Stakeholder Partnership that works with along with the Ministry of Environment monitoring coral nurseries all over the country and leading the nursery evaluations, as well as steering the restoration initiatives in the DR.
Existing interest of several local organizations in getting thigs done the right way, without harming the environment.
Willingness of local organizations and authorities to share knowledge and expertise.
The need of structure and a nation wide platform to coordinate and regulate coral reef restoration activities.
A common goal for the stakeholders must be identified, so that everyone benefits from the partnership and it will always be a win-win situation.
Specific roles and capabilities must be defined from the beginning.
Formal agreements must be prepared in time so that the implementation of the activities is not delayed.
Definition of a functional steering structure for the partnership is a must at the beginning.
