As part of the Output Action Plans (OAPs) financed by the MAVA Foundation, PRCM was indirectly involved in six action plans and coordinated three others, namely PAZHOC (Wetlands and Coastal Birds Action Plan), the COBIA initiative (Sustainable Management of Offshore Oil and Gas Activities in West Africa) and the regional STM project (Sea Turtles Monitoring in West Africa). As MAVA funding came to an end, the Foundation has developed a methodology for the evaluation of these action plans, to which all partners agreed. PRCM embarked on a marathon race by bringing together its partners to evaluate the action plans for which it was responsible. Here are some of the highlights of these meetings held in Bissau and Senegal.
Strengthening partnership, nationally and internationally, for the conservation of wetlands and coastal birds
From October 24 to 28, 2022, the PAHZOC evaluation committee meeting was held in Guinea Bissau, with all partners attending. After five years of implementation of this action plan, it was necessary to evaluate collectively the progress made, the impacts produced and the lessons learned.
Overall, the partners expressed their satisfaction with the results achieved and praised the strong partnership that was created around the common vision on conservation priorities. According to Charlotte KARIBUHOYE, Director of MAVA West Africa, who took part in the meeting, this action plan “illustrates very well the values of the MAVA Foundation, which is to bring people together and empower them while being flexible to the context and to change.”
A second phase of the regional STM Project (Sea Turtles Monitoring) in the pipeline
During the final evaluation of the STM project held in Dakar, Senegal, from December 6 to 7, 2022, the partners presented their achievements, challenges and perspectives.
One of the key results mentioned at the end of this evaluation was the connectivity between six West African marine protected areas, as was confirmed by the satellite tracking of some 40 green turtles breeding in Guinea-Bissau.
Similarly, partnership among the countries was strengthened at different levels through technical exchanges in terms of monitoring and surveillance methodology, awareness raising, and scientific research.
This action plan has generated a mass of scientific information published in scientific journals, technical reports, conferences, etc., and has helped guide management and conservation actions and contribute to the international recognition of the sub-region for marine turtle conservation.
Based on these results and the need to preserve the achievements, a second phase of the project will soon be launched in early 2023. Financial resources are, in part, secured to continue the activities during the years following the closure of the MAVA.
An inclusive approach for tangible results
It was at the IRIS Hotel in Toubab Dialaw, Senegal, that the partners of COBIA – Sustainable Management of Offshore Oil and Gas Activities in West Africa – met from November 29 to December 2, 2022 to evaluate their work.
The meeting revealed that the implementation of this action plan has strengthened the collaboration and mobilization of stakeholders through an innovative, participatory, inclusive and interactive approach. Indeed, the inclusive and participatory process of designating the national coordination institutions has been decisive in the partnership dynamics.
Besides, the development of advocacy, awareness, communication and training tools specific to the environmental management of oil and gas is an innovation in the sub-region, and has contributed to the awareness of stakeholders.
Similarly, local monitoring and warning committees have been set up in the various countries, towards ensuring citizen control in areas where operations have an impact and serving as a relay to the administration in the event of incidents.
