Subnational | PANORAMA

East Asia

Improving sustainable agricultural development through research in Baisha Village, China

Xiaobo

Research on native species, technical development and standard promotion

Talent cultivation and inheritance

Organizing field training and exchange activities

East Asia

Social media increase interest and income on sustainable forestry in Lin'an, China

Xiaobo

E-commerce branding

Ecological farming and regional cultural excavation

Community participation in collaborative development

Okomu National Park staff have increased capacity for preventive law enforcement and are implementing a standardized law enforcement strategy throughout the project

As part of the process of developing a law enforcement strategy for Okomu National Park that is focused on crime prevention, and to build capacity of rangers of the park in data collection and analysis using Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART), SCERA organised a 5 days training workshop. The course aimed to build the capacity of ONP staff, national park service staff and SCERA staff in core SMART skills, and provide them with resources to support further training of protected area staff. The training/workshop was taught by a consultant TCHAKOUDEU KEHOU Stephane

More so, a 2-day training on Human Rights and Social Safeguards training took place. The same batch of rangers that were trained on SMART were the ones trained. After the training, a WhatsApp group was created for the consultant to continue to share information with the rangers

Implementation

Subnational

East Europe

Revitalization of pastures in the Vršac Mountains

Pavle

Jovanovic

Local capacity building

As a following step to the shark camp, we seek to contribute to the generation of conservation measures for the protection of the whale shark, based on scientific tourism and knowledge, as mechanisms of transformation.

In doing so, we intend to strengthen local capacities and contribute to the development of sustainable local productive activities, aware of the need to protect the marine ecosystems in the northern Colombian Pacific. Thus, generating behavioral changes that contribute to the conservation of this endangered species.

This next step is supported by the Save the Blue Five project, which is funded by the BMUV (German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection) through the International Climate Initiative (IKI). This alliance seeks to have a more significant positive impact in other areas of the Colombian Pacific where whale shark interactions also occur, raising awareness in local communities, promoting behavioral change to improve responsible sighting and tourism practices, and, when possible, promote local conservation agreements.

In addition, ongoing work and connections with the local community, especially those involved in marine megafauna tourism, are key factors in generating local capacity building and behavioral changes for conservation.

The coordination of regional organizations and authorities in the local communities is essential for the correct development of this next step to follow, as well as for the adoption of new regulatory and operational guidelines for tourism.

Inception phase

Subnational

Responsible code of conduct for whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) responsible tourism.

Infographics explaining the code of conduct for responsible whale shark tourism

Fundación MarAdentro

This protocol is contained in Resolution 0841 of 2024, issued by the Corporación Autónoma Regional para el Desarrollo Sostenible del Chocó (Codechocó), which seeks to define behavioral actions and establish measures for responsible whale sharks tourism (including other species) to safeguard their welfare. It is aimed at fishermen, tourists and the community in general.

Measures include the number of boats allowed with a shark or group of sharks at the same time, the maximum time and minimum distance, the mandatory use of life jacket and the carrying capacity of the area. It also prohibits feeding sharks, swimming near them, free-diving, and throwing garbage in places not designated for it.

In addition to drafting the protocol, which was subsequently approved and adopted by Codechocó, the initiative also developed an outreach strategy in which infographics (digital and printed) were designed that summarize the main guidelines of the protocol and the ecological characteristics of whale sharks, highlighting the importance of protecting the species. This material is used to support education and outreach activities (e.g. workshops, lectures) involving fishermen, local communities, tourists and tour operators.

The main contribution of this tool has been changing the behavior of tour operators, visitors, fishermen, and the community at large to adhere to these minimum measures for the protection and conservation of whale sharks. This shows a considerable degree of effectiveness and receptiveness to this type of measure, as well as the creation of positive perceptions of a scientific, responsible, and conservation-oriented tourism model.

Implementation

Subnational

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1x9foNJBlVipVX17L14w8ULMeyfAGAAKd/view?usp=shar…

Trust Building

Trust-building is essential for an effective feedback mechanism, ensuring stakeholders feel safe raising concerns. Without trust, people may hesitate to report issues due to fear of retaliation or inaction, undermining the system’s purpose.

As stakeholders see their concerns addressed, trust deepens, leading to greater participation and stronger relationships between communities and conservation partners. Over time, this trust improves conflict resolution and increases local support for conservation efforts.

Accessibility and confidentiality are key. Secure lock boxes in each zone allow safe, confidential submissions, encouraging participation. Impartiality is also crucial. The multi-organization response team, which includes representation from Frankfurt Zoological Society, the Chitimbwa Iyendwe Conservation Project, and Zambia’s Department of National Parks and Wildlife FZS, reassures stakeholders that feedback and grievances will be handled fairly.

Consistent communication and follow-ups further strengthen trust. Keeping complainants informed about progress and resolutions demonstrates commitment. Transparency, including sharing general grievance outcomes in meetings, reinforces confidence.

Building trust in the feedback mechanism requires consistent engagement, transparency, and responsiveness. Early on, accessibility proved critical - placing lock boxes in multiple zones ensured community members could submit concerns easily and confidentially. However, initial lack of awareness limited participation, highlighting the need for repeated sensitization meetings to explain the process and reassure people of confidentiality.

Impartiality was another key lesson. By involving multiple organizations (FZS, DNPW and CICP) in the review team, the mechanism gained credibility, reducing fears of bias. Timely responses were also essential; delays in addressing grievances risked eroding confidence, emphasizing the importance of clear timelines and interim updates.

Additionally, managing expectations was necessary. Not all concerns could be resolved immediately, and some fell outside of the NTCP’s mandate. The set up of the mechanism stipulated that such issues were to be passed onto relevant bodies such as the Zambia police (no serious grievances requiring this action have been received to date). Communicating what the mechanism could and couldn’t address helped maintain trust. Ultimately, transparency, follow-through, and ongoing dialogue proved vital in ensuring the community viewed the process as fair and reliable.

Building block 1 – Title * [255] Transparency with communities

The feedback mechanism increases transparency by providing a structured, accessible, and confidential way for community members to voice concerns or share feedback. With lock boxes placed in four zones, individuals can submit feedback without needing to travel or fear retaliation. A multi-organization response team ensures impartial review, demonstrating accountability and reducing perceptions of bias. Regular feedback reviews and community meetings provide updates on how concerns are addressed, reinforcing trust in the process and strengthening community confidence in conservation efforts.

Transparency in the feedback mechanism is ensured through accessibility, impartiality, and accountability. Lock boxes in four zones allow confidential submissions, ensuring community voices are heard. A multi-organization response team ensures fair reviews, while regular meetings provide updates on actions taken. The project’s constitution guides decision-making, which is implemented by elected representatives at both the CICP and zonal levels, fostering trust and community ownership.

Ensuring transparency in the feedback mechanism has provided key lessons that strengthen trust and accountability.

Accessibility played a crucial role, as lock boxes in four zones allowed community members to submit grievances confidentially, increasing participation.

Impartiality in reviewing the feedback was also important. Having a response team composed of multiple organizations reduces bias and reassured the community that concerns would be handled fairly.

Regular communication proved essential, with meetings providing updates on any grievances and actions taken, reinforcing trust.

A clear governance structure of the CICP and zonal committees, ensured consistency in handling feedback. Additionally, involving elected Zonal Committee representatives in oversight strengthened local ownership and legitimacy.