FSPI

The Communities and Coasts Programme works with communities through projects that ensure the sustainable and integrated management of natural resources. At the same time these projects help develop the communities’ self-reliance and improve quality of life.

We work with Network Partners in four Pacific countries in three strategic action areas:

• Programme Development: The program’s core business is in developing sustainable community-benefit natural resource management programmes with FSPI’s Network Partners through innovative applied research, participatory programme design, implementation and monitoring.
• Institutional Strengthening & Network Development: the program’s primary focus which aims to enable Network Partners, NGO partners and partners facilitate and support community-based coastal management processes.
• Networking and building programme sustainability strategies: Focuses in supporting and strengthening national, regional and international networks in natural resource management and biodiversity conservation. The programme works with Network Partners to develop sustainable strategies to ensure no communities are left behind but strengthen self-reliance in the long-term.
• Communication and Advocacy for Change: Communication, policy development and advocacy activities to support and promote community-based approaches and appropriate policy and legal frameworks.

The Communities and Coasts Programme currently has programmes in Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tuvalu and Fiji to assist communities, government and NGOs to improve their own resource management practices and processes. Initial results from the setting up of these “tabu” areas in Paunagisu Village, Efate in Vanuaut, Marau Sound in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands and Nanumea in Tuvalu, have been promising. Many communities are so enthused by their success and the gains they have noticed that some have extended fishing ban areas.