Research to Policy Building Capacity for Conservation through - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Research to Policy – Building Capacity for Conservation through Poverty Alleviation in Uganda Andrew Gordon-Maclean, Biodiversity researcher, IIED andrew.gordon-maclean@iied.org

Presentation outline 1. Background to the Darwin Initiative 2. The PCLG network and U-PCLG 3. Background to issues in Bwindi 4. Aims and objectives 5. Key organisations 6. Timeline and Outputs 7. Background to IIED 8. IIED’s role in this roject

Background to the Darwin Initiative • Announced by UK Government at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit. • Assists countries that are rich in biodiversity but poor in financial resources to meet their objectives under one or more of the three major biodiversity conventions: – the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); – the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES); – the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), :through the funding of collaborative projects which draw on UK biodiversity expertise.

Linking biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation in Uganda Uganda signatory to a number of international agreements that emphasize linking biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation. Identified as a national priority in the NEMA’s report “Enhancing Wildlife’s Contribution to Growth, Employment and Prosperity” and in the Sector Investment Plan (SIP) for the environment sector which aims “to promote the long-term conservation of the country’s wildlife and biodiversity in a cost- effective manner that maximizes the benefits to the people of Uganda” .

Poverty and Conservation Learning Group • An international network of conservation, development and indigenous/local community rights organisations concerned with the links between conservation and poverty • Established by IIED in 2004 • Latest phase (from 2008) funded by the Arcus Foundation which led to its focus on great apes. • Collect and disseminate information on conservation-poverty linkages, undertake or support research on specific themes, organise targeted learning events • Operates predominantly at the international level but now starting to organise at the national level with two pilot groups in Uganda and in Cameroon. • PCLG in Uganda coordinated by JGI-U

Background to Bwindi Impenetrable National Park • Key challenge: Uganda’s largest mountain gorilla population occurs in one of the most densely populated and poorest regions of Africa. • ICD Programme adopted – consists of multiple use program • Blomley et al. 2010 - ICD important in improving park/community relations , but not in linking conservation and poverty alleviation, flaws included: – ICD benefits wealthier community members, not poorer HHs assumed to be undertaking illegal activities – Little impact on reducing threats posed by illegal activities

Key aims and objectives of the research • Improve the effectiveness of future interventions by better understanding; – Using historical records and field surveys of natural resource use and contextual spatial data on socio-economics and ecological conditions inside and outside Bwindi to look at: • Who continues with unauthorised use of natural resources • Why they are doing this, despite ICD • Important to assess and question validity of ICD assumptions • Information will be used to influence national and local government policy about the role of protected area management in poverty alleviation around Uganda’s most important forest park for biodiversity conservation and tourist income • Identify poverty alleviation schemes most appropriate for reducing threats to gorillas and other species

Key organisations Darwin Project Institute for Tropical Forest Conservation (ITFC) Jane Goodall Institute, Uganda (JGI-U) Advocates Coalition for Development and Environment (ACODE) Important National stakeholders Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and NEMA Local communities The International Gorilla Conservation Programme (IGCP) Bwindi Mgahinga Conservation Trust Relevant government departments NGOs working around Bwindi as well as on conservation and poverty issues National and local media

Overall plans • Design research project in a collaborative way and fill in poverty/ conservation research gaps • Make different partners aware of how to lobby government in Uganda • Aid U-PCLG in understanding how to influence policy and decision makers

Timeline and Outputs Activity No of Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Months Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 1. Research 1.1 Research Planning Workshop: 2 day workshop, Kabale. 1 x 1.2 Data collection from existing records and literature review. 4 x x 1.3 Field surveys on resource use behaviours: 1) within the national park; 2) 6 x x x local community surveys. 1.4 Research Update Workshop: 2 day workshop, Bwindi. 1 x 1.5 Statistical analyses and GIS modelling on the drivers of resource use 3 x x behaviours with reviews by the Scientific Advisors. 1.6 Research write-up: reports, journal articles and conference abstracts. 2 x x 2. Capacity Building for Policy Reform 2.1 Capacity building workshop 1: 2 day workshop Kampala. 3 x x 2.2 Training: policy briefs 1 x 2.3 Training: media 1 x 2.4 Strategic Policy Outreach Meetings 6 x x x 3. Capacity Building for Improve Conservation Practice 1 x 3.1 From Research to Policy Workshop: 2 day workshop, Kampala. 3.2 Capacity building workshop: local policy makers at Bwindi 1 x 3.3 Finalise the ICD Implementation Guidelines 3 x x 3.4 Project reports and articles 12 x x x x 3.5 One to one support for Ugandan researchers 12 x x x x x

IIED • Our mission is to build a fairer, more sustainable world, using evidence, action and influence in partnership with others • Founded in 1971 by economist Barbara Ward, we work with partners on five continents. • build bridges between policy and practice, rich and poor communities, the government and private sector, and across diverse interest groups • contribute to many international policy processes and frameworks, including the Millennium Ecosystem Assessment and the UN conventions on climate change and biological diversity.

IIED • Carries out research, advice and advocacy work. • We carry out action research — generating robust evidence and know-how that is informed by a practical perspective acquired through hands-on research with grassroots partners – and we publish in journals and maintain high research standards. • We advise government, business and development agencies, and we argue for changes in public policy. • We focus on bottom-up solutions, stay open to flexible, adaptable solutions and are marked by a tradition of challenging conventional wisdom through original thinking.

IIED’s role • Coordinate and oversea delivery of the project outputs to time and budget • Technical support and guidance to host institutions for research, capacity building and policy advocacy • Coordinate activities of UK and host institutions throughout the project • Design M&E system • IIED will need to balance needs and expertise of different partners (eg research vs advocacy) as well as local, national and international priorities.

Thank you!