1 August 16, 2017
2 Member Organizations Member OrganizationsWe are comprised of 7 international conservation NGOs based in DC with a strong field presence across sub-Sahran Africa.
3 Mission Tackle complex and changing conservation challenges by catalyzing and strengthening collaboration, and bringing the best resources from across a continuum of conservation organizations to effectively and efficiently work towards the vision of an African continent where natural resources and biodiversity are securely conserved in balance with sustained human livelihoods. These organizations have come together to tackle complex conservation issues facing the continent that warrant a united approach. Through collaboration and resource sharing, we pursue a vision of Africa where natural resources and biodiversity are conserved in balance with sustained human livelihoods.
4 Implementation Prioritize: Mainstream biodiversity conservation in human well-being and development agendas Promote good conservation practices among practitioners Partner: Strengthen the role of social and development institutions in biodiversity conservation Three main strategies for achieving this vision, include: 1) prioritizing biodiversity conservation in international development agendas; 2) promoting best practices for conservation among practitioners, and; 3) partnering with social and development institutions to build capacity for biodiversity conservation. Each of these strategies is applied to key themes that are supported by USAID’s biodiversity policy.
5 Current Phase ABCG II cooperative agreement, Oct 2015-Sept 20185 million over 3 years Emphasis on capacity development of African institutions Nairobi-based Program Officer
6 Thematic Focus Areas Land and Resource Tenure RightsLand Use Management Managing Global Change Impacts on Biodiversity Global Health Linkages to Biodiversity Conservation Emerging Issues Land and Resource Tenure Rights Create favorable conditions for individual and community initiatives that support biodiversity conservation Land Use Management Improve the effectiveness of investments in biodiversity conservation by leveraging a smart conservation planning framework. Managing Global Change Impacts on Biodiversity Analyze information on human responses to climate change and identify ecosystem-based adaptation strategies Global Health Linkages to Biodiversity Conservation Improve conservation and human well-being by implementing integrated biodiversity and global health program design Emerging Issues Identify new and growing threats, employ targeted projects through a small grants mechanism
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8 Contact Rebecca Goodman, Coordinator Washington, DC Evelyn Namvua, Communications and Engagement Officer Nairobi, Kenya
9 Advancing an Integrated Vision that Incorporates Health Outcomes into Biodiversity ConservationGlobal Health Linkages to Biodiversity Conservation Task Area Population-Health-Environment (PHE)
10 Agenda PHE Task Group Goal Objectives Activities AccomplishmentsLiterature Review Pilot Projects Goal will be achieved by implementing and promoting effective approaches that integrate biodiversity with actions that contribute to improving global health.
11 Goal and Objectives Goal:Pilot an integrated PHE approach in two different geographical areas, Western Tanzania and Southeastern Cameroon, to improve biodiversity conservation and human well-being Objectives: Build multi-sectoral partnerships to ensure biodiversity conservation and human well- being outcomes are achieved in tandem; Strengthen the evidence base for USAID and others, of successful examples that integrate biodiversity conservation and development; Incorporate the PHE approach into conservation and development planning. Goal will be achieved by implementing and promoting effective approaches that integrate biodiversity with actions that contribute to improving global health.
12 Activities Planned Main activities to achieve the task objectives are:Conduct a literature review and interviews with PHE experts/practitioners, to analyze existing PHE integrated approaches, and identify best practices and promising approaches Pilot activities in two sites to explore interrelationships and interdependencies in PHE, by combining actions to reduce deforestation, improve food and nutrition security and conserve watersheds
13 PHE Literature Review Exploring Cross-sector Linkages Between Population, Health, Environment, Nutrition and Food Security – A review of Best Practices and Lessons Learned Context: Several evaluations and assessments have shown improved human health and biodiversity conservation outcomes, using integrated approaches including the sectors of health and natural resource management Through improved agricultural practices promoting biodiversity conservation, projects have attempted to reach food security goals with vegetable gardens, small-scale livestock production, alternative enterprises, etc. Purpose: To document best practices for integrating nutrition and food security interventions into existing PHE projects. Use integrated approaches to inform organizations seeking to improve ecosystem health and conservation outcomes along with improved human well-being, living in and around areas of key biodiversity. Purpose: This may also be useful for work in low biodiverse areas where resource management, development and health issues need to be addressed. Target audience - Includes ABCG members, USAID, PHE practitioners in the field and relevant policymakers in sub-Saharan Africa.
14 PHE Literature Review Findings:Through desktop review and key informant interviews the PHE Task Group determined: A lack of PHE projects which have measured and systematically monitored the impact of nutrition and food security on biodiversity and health outcomes A very limited set of projects/studies from which best practices can be drawn to help PHE practitioners strengthen food security, nutrition and agriculture outcomes
15 PHE Literature Review Best Practices Recommended:Incorporate explicit nutrition objectives and indicators into the design of projects to seek synergies with economic, social and environmental objectives. Assess the context at the local level to design appropriate activities that address local priorities, including food resources, seasonality of food production, access to productive resources, market opportunities, etc. Incorporate WASH into nutrition and food security programs to enhance health and nutrition outcomes. In designing PHE programs, with nutrition/agriculture/food security interventions, it is critical to gain in-depth understanding of gender roles, dynamics, women and men’s access, use and decision-making around resources. Recognize and respect local knowledge of both women and men and most marginalized groups who depend the most on natural resources for their survival.
16 PHE Pilot Project Sites: SE CameroonContext Lobeke National Park (LNP), Jengi Forest, Southeast Cameroon Part of the Sangha Tri-National Protected Area Network Remote area very rich in biodiversity; under high poaching and logging pressure – Large expense of primary forest, great apes, forest elephants, pangolins, small and large ungulates, etc. Buffer zones of LNP include 28 communities composed mainly of Baka (IPs) and Bantou people Population lives in high poverty, lacks easy access to basic health services, lacks access to safe drinking water, quality education and economic opportunities Forest concessions are present in the area – Some benefits to communities for infrastructure development Along side the conservation program, Lobeke has receives funding for PHE and WASH initiatives for the past 6 years
17 PHE Pilot Project Sites: SE CameroonPilot Project Activities Training of Health and Environment Scouts and School Clubs, local NGOs and govt. partners Collaborative work with local partners (CSOs, government - Health, Ag., Education and Forest/Water Ministries) Conduct campaigns on integrated PHE messages and best practices - Sustainable agricultural techniques, nutrition/food security, WASH, FP/RH, natural resources management, etc. Provide technical support to communities (including women’s groups), to build household latrines, engage in kitchen gardening, use improved ag. techniques, small animal husbandry – poultry. PHE indicators include – Determine dietary diversity and frequency of meal consumption (HH and individual levels); Describe the level of access to quality food and quantity available at the HH level; Measure the access to modern agricultural techniques and level of knowledge on sustainable ag. methods; Identify the determinants of food insecurity in the project area Measure the level of knowledge and use of modern FP methods Make recommendations to improve food security and nutrition in the project area Measure the level of knowledge/understanding of the population on the linkages between the health of the ecosystem and human health and well-being
18 PHE Pilot Project Sites: SE CameroonMain Accomplishments Baseline survey conducted to collect data on PHE Training/refresher training of 36 Health and Environment Scouts on integration of PHE with nutrition/food security 30 School Clubs developed an action plan – Hygiene, sanitation and environment Reached over 500 women - Awareness on nutrition, feeding practices and food security, including practical workshops Conducted over 10 large-scale campaigns on integrated PHE messages and best practices - Sustainable agriculture, nutrition/food security, WASH, family planning, natural resources management. PHE indicators include – Determine dietary diversity and frequency of meal consumption (HH and individual levels); Describe the level of access to quality food and quantity available at the HH level; Measure the access to modern agricultural techniques and level of knowledge on sustainable ag. methods; Identify the determinants of food insecurity in the project area Measure the level of knowledge and use of modern FP methods Make recommendations to improve food security and nutrition in the project area Measure the level of knowledge/understanding of the population on the linkages between the health of the ecosystem and human health and well-being
19 PHE Pilot Project Sites: SE CameroonChallenges and Lessons Learned The cultural food taboos among the Indigenous Peoples are challenging to address but with time and practical demonstrations, progress can be made The engagement and commitment of local authorities and various branches of the government (Health, Ag., Education and Forest/Water) is invaluable It is essential to conduct assessments on the knowledge, attitude and perspectives of community members relating to nutrition and food security before targeting activities PHE indicators include – Determine dietary diversity and frequency of meal consumption (HH and individual levels); Describe the level of access to quality food and quantity available at the HH level; Measure the access to modern agricultural techniques and level of knowledge on sustainable ag. methods; Identify the determinants of food insecurity in the project area Measure the level of knowledge and use of modern FP methods Make recommendations to improve food security and nutrition in the project area Measure the level of knowledge/understanding of the population on the linkages between the health of the ecosystem and human health and well-being
20 PHE Pilot Project Sites: SE CameroonNext Steps – Year-3 of project Continue project implementation as in previous year Collect end-line survey data to identify changes in practices and measure project impact Identify all lessons learned and compile them to share through a workshop with ABCG partners, PHE project stakeholders, decision-makers, etc.
21 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (TNC)Tuungane (“Let’s Unite” in Kiswahili): Project Introduction Collaborative project between The Nature Conservancy and Pathfinder International to empower communities to create healthier families, forests, and fisheries. Goal is to work with local governments and communities to address environmental and health challenges in the Greater Mahale Ecosystem, in Western Tanzania. ABCG-funded pilot is supporting Tuungane’s Model Household Initiative, which encourages communities to practice positive behaviors in health and conservation. The initiative involves PHE awareness-raising, improving household food security, and empowering women and girls through improving livelihoods.
22 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (TNC)Tuungane: Activities Collect preliminary socio-economic data and categorize Model Households (MHs) Conduct training on PHE for selected MH representatives Facilitate Training-of-Trainers training for Community Change Agents to support selected MHs Promote alternative environmentally-friendly livelihood activities (e.g., mushroom farming, local chicken husbandry, planting fruit tree seedlings) Enhance food security for MHs (e.g., conservation agriculture, horticulture, proper livestock husbandry, and post harvesting processing of food crops)
23 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (TNC)Tuungane Accomplishments: Model Household (MH) & PHE Communication Trainings: 30 MH motivators trained (14 women & 16 men) Newly recruited MHs trained on integrated PHE approach with total of 1258 MHs recruited 100 youths trained to use Theatre for Development techniques to communicate PHE in low literacy communities; to date, 10,000 people, including youths and adults, have been reached with PHE messages in the project area Food Security & Improved Livelihoods: More than 900 farmers from 16 project villages attended Farmer Field School Trainings to learn best agronomic practices, resulting in climate-smart agricultural techniques adopted by 375 smallholder farmers 120 Beach Management Unit members trained on how to control post-harvest loss of fish products 46 youths (25 female & 21 male) attended general training on entrepreneurship and livelihood diversification options 24 adolescent mothers’ trained on entrepreneurship, including soap making skills
24 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (TNC)Tuungane Lessons Learned Consistent community engagement is critical to ensure acceptance and promote positive behavioral change in health and conservation Drama and storytelling is very successful in communicating PHE messages Since the project started applying drama techniques, we’ve observed increased trust by community members, including more open and positive discussions of PHE Tuungane Challenges Lack of village Agricultural Extension Officers and services in the program area limit smallholder farmers in the adoption of climate smart agriculture (e.g., some farmers are unable to identify appropriate land for farming or continue to use inappropriate crop varieties, plant spacing, and/or pesticides, etc.) Outbreak of crop pests and diseases, including infestation by stalk borers in half of maize farms in target villages and on Farmer Field School demonstration plots
25 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (JGI)Gombe Masito-Ugalla Program Goal is to conserve biodiversity and to protect wildlife habitat in critical ecosystems in western Tanzania GMU covers 1,510,500 ha, with 50% of the area covered by forest and miombo woodlands ; includes Gombe National Park, Tongwe East Forest Reserve, and village, district, and national forest reserves, totaling over 220,000 ha Harbors endangered wildlife species such as chimpanzees and elephants and important watersheds that drain into Lake Tanganyika Key threats are forest loss due to unchecked development of settlements and agricultural expansion, as a result of rapid population growth , uncontrolled logging, and unsustainable land use practices Among the poorest regions in the country ABCG-funds were incorporated into the GMU Program to begin to raise the profile of PHE in western Tanzania and implement lessons from the literature review
26 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (JGI)Pilot Project Activities & Results Facilitated establishment of the western zone PHE Network in Tanzania to build capacity among key decision makers in the district and region, donors and NGO partners (TNC, Belgium Technical Corporation, Millennium Villages – Tabora, Catholic Development Agency (CARITAS), Kigoma Development Promotion Agency (KPDA), and Community Empowerment Development Organization (CEDO)) Sensitization and education efforts on PHE held within organizations and to district leadership PHE knowledge exchange and learning visit for 11 members of the network and four community health volunteers to the Tuungane Project to see how activities to enhance food security have been integrated in their project Dorah Neema, Coordinator for the National Steering Committee for PHE in Tanzania. Photo credit: JGI
27 PHE Pilot Project Sites: Western Tanzania (JGINext Steps – Year-3 of project Continue to facilitate learning, information dissemination and sharing within the western zone PHE network Identify key lessons learned from the literature review completed in June 2017 that can be incorporated into the GMU Program JGI recently received funding to fully integrate health/family planning into the GMU Program, hence the need for clarity on what lessons the ABCG funding will be supporting
28 Thank You!