Yvonne Bigengimana Executive Assistant, ARCOS

La Palisse Hotel/Kigali November, 4th 2015

ARCOS’ contribution to community livelihoods through Conservation Agreements

Collaborative action for nature and people

ARCOS Background

• ARCOS is a regional conservation organisation focusing on AR region (from the northern end of Lake Albert to the southern Lake Tanganyika), the Great Lakes region and African Mountains;

• Mission: Enhance biodiversity conservation and sustainable management of natural resources through the promotion of collaborative conservation action for nature and people

ARCOS’ 20 Years Markers

1 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE IN PROMOTING COLLABORATIVE ACTIONS

2 FACILITATING DIALOGUE ON CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES

3 BUILDING LOCAL INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY

4 FACILITATING REGIONAL INFORMATION SYSTEM

5 INTEGRATED LANDSCAPE AND ECOSYSTEM SERVICES

6 ENGAGING STAKEHOLDERS ON AFRICAN MOUNTAINS AND GREAT LAKES FRESHWATER ECOSYSTEMS

7 CIVIL SOCIETY NETWORKING AND DEVELOPMENT

8 ADVOCATING FOR SUSTAINABILITY IN DEVELOPMENT AGENDA

9 BUILDING COMMUNITY ENTERPRISES AND RESILIENCE

10 STAFF AND BOARD LEADERSHIP

Supporting Nature Based Community Enterprises (NBCEs) through Conservation Agreements

Community Conservation Agreements (CAs) Approach:

• Support communities business who in return commit to engage in good environmental practices (tree planting, Patrolling protected areas, share information, etc.)

• In Rwanda: NBCEs in Mukura, Gitarama, Nyungwe

and Rugezi landscapes are supported:

• 2 cooperatives around Mukura Forest: KOTEREM-beekeepers

and JYAMBEREMUNYARWANDAKAZI-farmers,

• 6 community groups of beekeepers around Rugezi marshland

• 3 coffee growers cooperatives in Sholi, Gitsi and Shangi

(Coffee certification)

• 15 new NBCEs to be added through FONERWA Project (Bugesera and Rusumo landscapes)

Conservation Agreements Process

• Conduct feasibility study and value chain analysis

• Conduct due diligence to identify which community group to work with

• Define conditionalities and Terms of Agreement

• Signing of agreement and provision of funds

• Implementation Stage • Provide training to Selected community groups

• Conduct participatory business planning and Market linkage

• Conduct regular M&E and experience sharing

Results

• Community engaged in Environmental

Conservation through the signing of CAs • Improved community groups Governance • Coffee Certification process initiated (Coffee

shading, organic manure, waste water treatment, etc.)

• Good practices for sustainable agriculture and beekeeping (soil erosion control and agroforestry, modern beekeeping)

• Awareness raised

Lessons learned

• Engaging community is not an easy job,

• it requires a lot of effort and good approach to rise their attention and insure the long term commitment.

• Working with good partners has made the Conservation Agreements approach successful

• Built experience in managing high expectation with limited funds

• Change people’s mind is a long process

I think community photo would be better

Murakoze!