Closing the Chapter: Achievements and Challenges of CI-GEF Projects in Madagascar
December 15, 2023
In Madagascar, two significant projects funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) have come to a close, marking a milestone in the country's commitment to biodiversity conservation and climate change transparency. The closing workshops for the projects, namely "Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in the Landscape of Northwest Madagascar" and "Strengthening National Capacity to Implement the Transparency Elements of the Paris Agreement," were held on October 06 and October 03, 2023, respectively.
Project 1: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in the Northwestern Landscape (Boeny Region) - Madagascar
Overview:
The first project, spanning three years with a no-cost extension due to COVID-19-related restrictions, focused on the Boeny Region in the North-Western landscape of Madagascar. Implemented by Conservation International (CI-GEF) in collaboration with various partners, the project aimed to protect and sustainably manage the biodiversity-rich landscape, encompassing five protected areas.
Key Objectives:
1. Strengthen the protection of 588,494 hectares of protected areas.
2. Improve the management effectiveness and financial viability of five protected areas.
3. Integrate protected areas into the broader regional development agenda.
4. Support sustainable production practices and enhance income and food security for 2,000 households.
Achievements:
- Successful sustainable management of protected areas.
- Improved household incomes and the development of 19 initiatives, including the production of green charcoal.
- Initiatives contributing to reducing forest degradation and promoting conservation.
Challenges Encountered:
- Uncontrolled bush fires posing a significant threat to biodiversity.
- Delays in signing agreements with implementing partners at the project's outset.
- Impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on project activities and training.
- Delay in setting up databases of beneficiaries, AGMs, and certification.
- Difficulties in implementing AGM activities.
Perspectives and Lessons Learned:
- Recognition of income generated for continued activities post-project.
- Continued focus on sustainable management of protected areas and capacity building.
- Exploration of market options for project sustainability.
- Emphasis on gender mainstreaming and tools to promote women's participation.
Project 2: Building and strengthening Madagascar’s national capacity to implement the transparency elements of the Paris Agreement
Overview:
Initiated in 2019, this project aimed to enhance Madagascar's capacity to implement the transparency elements of the Paris Agreement. The project faced delays but, under the joint execution of the Bureau National des Changements Climatiques et de la REDD+ (BNCCREDD+) and Conservation International, it saw completion in 2023.
Key Objectives:
1. Establish tools for transparency elements of the Paris Agreement.
2. Address technological gaps in greenhouse gas emission inventories.
3. Build capacity in sectors and stakeholders for transparency activities.
Achievements:
- Development of sectoral policies.
- Provision of equipment and capacity building.
- Updating of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Challenges Encountered:
- Difficulties in finding consultants, leading to re-tendering.
- Unavailability of technicians during the pandemic.
- Delays in schedule execution.
Perspectives and Lessons Learned:
- Improve Metadata and MRV systems initiated under the project.
- Strengthen stakeholders' capacities
in MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification).
- Support for data collection and databases at the sector level.
Experiences and Lessons Learned:
- Compliance with MOUs signed with each sector.
- Appointment of project focal points at the sector level.
- Adherence to the implementation schedule with flexibility for change management.
- Continuous dialogue and consultation with stakeholders and MEDD.
- Involvement of national and international consultants.
- Collaborative development for long-term connectivity.
- Expansion of information days and educational events.
The closing workshops served as platforms to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from these two vital projects. Despite facing unprecedented challenges such as the global pandemic and uncontrolled bush fires, the projects demonstrated resilience and adaptability.
Moving forward, the focus should be on sustaining the positive outcomes achieved, exploring new funding opportunities, and ensuring continued collaboration between government bodies, NGOs, and local communities. The experiences and lessons learned from these projects will undoubtedly inform future conservation and climate-related initiatives in Madagascar, contributing to the country's sustainable development and global environmental goals.
Project 1: Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biological Diversity in the Northwestern Landscape (Boeny Region) - Madagascar
Overview:
The first project, spanning three years with a no-cost extension due to COVID-19-related restrictions, focused on the Boeny Region in the North-Western landscape of Madagascar. Implemented by Conservation International (CI-GEF) in collaboration with various partners, the project aimed to protect and sustainably manage the biodiversity-rich landscape, encompassing five protected areas.
Key Objectives:
1. Strengthen the protection of 588,494 hectares of protected areas.
2. Improve the management effectiveness and financial viability of five protected areas.
3. Integrate protected areas into the broader regional development agenda.
4. Support sustainable production practices and enhance income and food security for 2,000 households.
Achievements:
- Successful sustainable management of protected areas.
- Improved household incomes and the development of 19 initiatives, including the production of green charcoal.
- Initiatives contributing to reducing forest degradation and promoting conservation.
Challenges Encountered:
- Uncontrolled bush fires posing a significant threat to biodiversity.
- Delays in signing agreements with implementing partners at the project's outset.
- Impacts of COVID-19 restrictions on project activities and training.
- Delay in setting up databases of beneficiaries, AGMs, and certification.
- Difficulties in implementing AGM activities.
Perspectives and Lessons Learned:
- Recognition of income generated for continued activities post-project.
- Continued focus on sustainable management of protected areas and capacity building.
- Exploration of market options for project sustainability.
- Emphasis on gender mainstreaming and tools to promote women's participation.
Project 2: Building and strengthening Madagascar’s national capacity to implement the transparency elements of the Paris Agreement
Overview:
Initiated in 2019, this project aimed to enhance Madagascar's capacity to implement the transparency elements of the Paris Agreement. The project faced delays but, under the joint execution of the Bureau National des Changements Climatiques et de la REDD+ (BNCCREDD+) and Conservation International, it saw completion in 2023.
Key Objectives:
1. Establish tools for transparency elements of the Paris Agreement.
2. Address technological gaps in greenhouse gas emission inventories.
3. Build capacity in sectors and stakeholders for transparency activities.
Achievements:
- Development of sectoral policies.
- Provision of equipment and capacity building.
- Updating of the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC).
Challenges Encountered:
- Difficulties in finding consultants, leading to re-tendering.
- Unavailability of technicians during the pandemic.
- Delays in schedule execution.
Perspectives and Lessons Learned:
- Improve Metadata and MRV systems initiated under the project.
- Strengthen stakeholders' capacities
in MRV (Measurement, Reporting, and Verification).
- Support for data collection and databases at the sector level.
Experiences and Lessons Learned:
- Compliance with MOUs signed with each sector.
- Appointment of project focal points at the sector level.
- Adherence to the implementation schedule with flexibility for change management.
- Continuous dialogue and consultation with stakeholders and MEDD.
- Involvement of national and international consultants.
- Collaborative development for long-term connectivity.
- Expansion of information days and educational events.
The closing workshops served as platforms to reflect on the achievements, challenges, and lessons learned from these two vital projects. Despite facing unprecedented challenges such as the global pandemic and uncontrolled bush fires, the projects demonstrated resilience and adaptability.
Moving forward, the focus should be on sustaining the positive outcomes achieved, exploring new funding opportunities, and ensuring continued collaboration between government bodies, NGOs, and local communities. The experiences and lessons learned from these projects will undoubtedly inform future conservation and climate-related initiatives in Madagascar, contributing to the country's sustainable development and global environmental goals.
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