The aim of the project is to propose an innovative model of biodiversity conservation based on the development of economic sectors for the benefit of local populations living in and around protected areas in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire.
The aim is to put the economy at the service of biodiversity protection by encouraging sustainable development through the economic valuation of natural resources on the one hand, and by strengthening governance and community management of these resources on the other.
The objective is to build a real public-private-society-community partnership to apply and perpetuate the model.
Background and objectives
The overexploitation of natural resources - timber and firewood, charcoal production, poaching, fishing, exploitation of non-wood forest products for food and medicine, agriculture - combined with often failing nature protection administrations, are leading to a decline in biodiversity, to the detriment of the poorest rural populations who traditionally live from it.
This project aims to develop sustainable industries around protected areas with the help of six local NGOs.
It specifically seeks to:
Contribute to the development of pro-biodiversity value chains around five protected areas: organic shea butter, honey and beeswax, organic baobab powder and oil, organic virgin coconut oil, cassava, ‘Climate Smart’ cocoa and organic cocoa.
Improve community efforts to protect diversity and the sustainable use of natural resources through the establishment and strengthening of community-based governance structures (Community Resource Management Areas - CREMAs).
Strengthen civil society actors, generate knowledge and share best practices to help address current and future challenges of biodiversity conservation and economic development.
Activities and impacts
The ECONOBIO project partners on the ground are 6 Ghanaian NGOs and the areas of action are distributed around 5 protected areas:
The Nature Conservation Research Centre (NCRC) on the outskirts of the Kakum Conservation Area developed the 'Climate Smart' cocoa during the first phase of the project.
West African Primate Conservation Action (WAPCA) and the Centre Suisse de Recherche Scientifiques en Côte d'Ivoire (CSRS) are working together on both sides of the Kwabre-Tanoé transboundary forest.
Northcode and A Rocha Ghana are active around the Mole National Park
The second phase of the project hosts:
A Rocha Ghana in the Atewa forest area, a hotspot of biodiversity endangered by mining activities.
The Organisation for Indigenous Initiatives and Sustainability (ORGIIS) in the Wildlife Western Corridor at the border with Burkina-Faso.
Map of the project
KEY FIGURES FOR THE FIRST PHASE OF THE PROJECT
147,000 hectares of land sustainably managed by local communities
5 pro-biodiversity value chains developed
4700 producers trained and provided with increased livelihoods (50% of whom are women)
4 production centres built (one for organic and fair trade coconut oil, one for organic shea butter and two for honey)
10 CREMAs supported and 600 community representatives trained and supported (22% of whom are women)
3 conservation funds created and 5 conservation agreements signed
110 patrollers trained and 1500 patrols carried out
90,000 trees planted
KEY OBJECTIVES OF PHASE 2
300,000 hectares sustainably managed
4 new pro-biodiversity value chains developed
Increase in the number of supported producers to 5500 (60% of whom are women)
THE KWABRÉ-TANOÉ TRANS-BORDER COMMUNITY RESERVE TO HELP SAVE THREE AFRICAN PRIMATES FROM EXTINCTION
The swamp forests of Kwabré in Ghana and Tanoé in Côte d’Ivoire are incredibly rich natural sanctuaries that are home to three emblematic species of endangered primates. The combined effects of deforestation, trafficking of forest products and the trade in bushmeat mean that their future survival is hanging by a thread, dependent on the will of humans!
AGENCE FRANÇAISE DE DÉVELOPPEMENT (FRENCH DEVELOPMENT AGENCY)
The Agence française de développement (AFD) is a publicly funded institution that helps implement France’s development policy, fighting against poverty and promoting sustainable development. This public institution finances and supports projects that improve the living conditions of targeted populations, promote economic growth, and protect the planet.
Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is a worldwide programme that provides financial and technical assistance to non-governmental organizations and private partners who are working to protect ecosystems.
The Sofi Tucker Foundation was set up in 2012; its mission is to support the health and well-being of economically and socially disadvantaged women and their families in the United States and Africa. Since 2019, together with the NGO WAPCA, the Foundation has supported the development of a community-led organic & fair-trade Virgin Coconut Oil business in the Western Region of Ghana. The project also helps communities manage their natural resources and strengthens the entrepreneurial spirit of groups of female producers.
Ciel d’Azur is a company committed to producing natural-based cosmetics. This company was set up in 1984, driven by the desire to offer an alternative to the excessive number of products containing synthetic ingredients, known to pose a serious risk to public health. Since 2020, the company has supported the reforestation of degraded areas in and around the Kwabré-Tanoé forest in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
NAHE Cosmetics sells Pachamamaï products, which are both ethical and environmentally friendly. Since 2019, together the NGO WAPCA, NAHE has been supporting the development of an organic & fair-trade Virgin Coconut Oil business in the Western Region of Ghana.
The Eurofins Foundation supports initiatives that resonate with its core objectives of protecting the environment, improving nutrition and health, and supporting people in need in countries where Eurofins operates.
The BIONAT programme aims to create links between the conservation of biodiversity and the economic development of the populations living around the Dja Biosphere Reserve and the Bénoué National Park in Cameroon.
L'une des ambitions des Prairies de Noé est de restaurer des zones de refuge, de reproduction et d'alimentation en faveur des insectes pollinisateurs et de l'ensemble de la biodiversité prairiale. Ce programme répond aussi à fort besoin d'amélioration des connaissances sur les pollinisateurs sauvages.
In order to combat deforestation and poverty, the project aims to improve the productivity of village cocoa farms, but above all to encourage the practice of agroforestry for quality, sustainable production without deforestation.
L’Opération papillons est un observatoire de sciences participatives lancé en 2006 et porté par Noé et le Muséum national d’Histoire naturelle. Il propose à tout un chacun, néophytes comme naturalistes confirmés, de recenser et compter les papillons de jour de son jardin, balcon ou parc public en vue d'améliorer la connaissance et la recherche scientifiques.
