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Project synthesis
The Three Nations Namib Desert (TNND) Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA) is a project implemented by Conservation International (CI) and lies along the West coast of Southern Africa. The TNND is shared between Angola, Namibia and South Africa.
The project seeks to involve rural communities productively in conservation through sustainable use of natural resources and in local economic development. The concept of TFCAs is seen as having a great potential to alleviate poverty and empower communities to manage their own natural resources. The establishment of the |Ai-|Ais/Richtersveld Transfrontier Park (between Namibia and South Africa) and the agreement covering the Iona National Park (between Namibia and Angola) led to the birth of the Three Nations Namib Desert TFCA.
CI works with governments and communities towards a viable and sustainable TFCA. Based on a holistic approach the concept promotes, for instance, both a proper planning for land use and an improvement in biodiversity conservation. The project thus supports communities within the TFCA in the development of enterprises based on sustainable use of natural resources (mainly eco-tourism initiatives), and promotes partnerships and collaboration between the different layers of society (government, private sector and civil society).
Strategy/objectives
To achieve this overall goal the programme works according to three perspectives:
· Advocating and facilitating the elaboration of the Three Nations Namib Desert (TNND TFCA at policy levels;
· Providing capacity building, technical assistance and strengthening of community structures in the Richtersveld Conservancy and Greater !Gariep TFCA;
· Conducting research on the impacts of TFCAs on local and regional economies, and disseminating and sharing findings with interested parties and stakeholders.
Activities undertaken within this project include management training for conservancies’ staff to run communal structures, establishment of small enterprises for income generation, and research.
Stakeholders and beneficiaries
Stakeholders include communities, government, local municipalities and private sector entities. The communities that benefit from SDC’s financed projects are primarily located in Richtersveld (South African part of the TNND TFCA).
Expected Results
It is expected that through this support the community will manage its biodiversity, eco-tourism, cultural and other natural resource-based income generating initiatives in a sustainable way. The project shall enable poverty reduction for local communities. A study addressing the socio-economic issues in TFCAs shall be shared with similar initiatives elsewhere in the country. Partnerships and regional collaboration opportunities will therefore be created.
Partners
Partnerships and alliances have been built at government, private sector, local municipality and community levels aimed at creating an environment conducive for income generating activities. The private sector participates in the policy design discussions and in the preparation of frameworks for tourism investments. The governments of the three involved countries are partners. Concerned local municipalities are of course also involved.
Project duration and Funding
From 2005 to 2008, the project will be supported with CHF 750,000 (ZAR 3,750,000).
Geographical area
The project is implemented in the coastal desert areas of the Ritchersveld in South Africa, the Orange River Mouth, the Namib Desert and Skeleton Coast Parks in Namibia, and the Iona National Park in Angola.
Contact address
Conservation International
Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens
Private Bag X7
Claremont
Cape Town 7735
South Africa
E-mail: l.braack@conservation.org
Website: www.conservation.org
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