Linking Conservation to Poverty

The Uganda Poverty and Conservation Learning Group Story ; A Presentation to the Country

Chapters in, Kigali Rwanda

4th Nov 2015

Why U-PCLG was formed

• In a Masindi workshop of 2011, we noted that:Poverty is a challenge to both conservation and

development

Monetary incomes alone not solution to poverty –assets are needed too

Biodiversity and social assets – regulatory and security

Pro-poor conservation approaches closely linked to good governance.

• Yet, the above were not emphasised in on-going conservation approaches

Masindi 2011 Resolution

• Uganda Conservationists with IIED support agreed to:

Build partnerships at all possible levels to fill identified missing links

Promote evidence-based management, information and dissemination – research, M+E, documentations

Shaping policy and influencing governance – use evidence to develop policy.

Project level considerations – Fair sharing of benefits

• Hence the birth of U-PCLG

How U-PCLG works

• A loose network of organisations and individuals mindful about reinforcing needs for conservation and development

• Hosted by JGI since its formation to date

• Builds on individual organizational strengths

• Professional lobby group formation depending on issue to be addressed

• Technical support from IIED and PCLG International

• Concentrated on Apes Conservation for strategic reasons

Achievements

• Advocating for increased gorilla levy from $5 to $10.• Increased and improved advocacy on poverty and conservation

issues • Bringing different stakeholders together • Supporting UWA to commit to community conservation• Growing membership of U-PCLG and maintaining momentum• Bridging the gap between research, policy and conservation • Increased partnerships to address conservation issues• Employment opportunities and infrastructure development• Identification of an array of community conservation issues• Being recognised as an opinion leader in key conservation /

development questions

Benefits• Platform for information sharing and advocacy

• Increased understanding of integrating conservations issues in development

• Capacity building and learning from others – training

• Increased partnership and networking – private sector

• Improved understanding of avenues for interventions

• Increased engagement in poverty and conservation work

• Strengthening collaborative forest management groups around CFRs

• Access to topical literature through PCLG journal review

• Improving community involvement in conservation of PAs.

Lessons learned and Challenges

• Working as a group is a big strength and advantage

• Private sector are conservationists – they need to be recognised and given a chance

• Information sharing changes understanding about linkages between poverty and conservation

• Commitment from members is a challenge

• Available project funding is key to garnering interest among members

Future of U-PCLG

• Remain an informal loose network of individuals and institutions But with a structure of MOUs to strength recognition and commitment

• Increased and diversified membership (private sector, CSOs, public, youth and media

• Scale up from Bwindi Impenetrable National Park to other areas of interest

Future Strategic Directions

• Fundraising through members and partners

• Drawing on the strengths of the members platforms to undertake advocacy and disseminate information.

• Write Policy briefs based on fact findings

• Sensitization and continuous dialogues

• Building relationships and strategic partnerships

Future Activities

• Research and monitoring

• Advocacy and lobbying

• Dissemination of information network

• Resource mobilisation

• Mapping priority areas and issues for engagement

• Rethinking the community conservation concepts

Launch of MPA MPA NKUWE

Lessons and challenges

• Striking a working relationship with policy makers can be challenging and time consuming

• Once they are brought on board it is rewarding to see the support and understanding

• Members interests and expectations can be conflicting and fail the network

• Lack of fundable projects can be demoralizing