Conservation of the birds and biodiversity of the Lake Victoria Basin (the
Greatest of Africa’s ‘Great Lakes’) through community-led action and
sustainable development
Annual Progress Report
to the
REPORT PERIOD
January – December 2013
Updated: February 2014
P a g e |1
Contents
PART 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................ 3
Project Background ............................................................................................... 3
Project sites ........................................................................................................... 3
Brief description of the sites.................................................................................. 4
Project Goal ........................................................................................................... 6
PART 2: MAIN ACTION AND ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
(March – December 2013) ......................................................................................................... 6
PART 3: PROJECT PROGRESS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD (MARCH TO
DECEMBER 2013) .................................................................................................................... 7
General ....................................................................................................................................... 7
Project Inception Regional Workshop and Planning ............................................ 7
Progress Against Strategic Objectives .................................................................. 8
Strategic Objective 1: ............................................................................................ 8
Strategic Objective 2: ............................................................................................ 9
Strategic Objective 3: .......................................................................................... 11
Strategic Objective 4 (revised): ........................................................................... 14
PART 4: PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED ............................................................................... 15
PART 5: DETAILED FINANCIAL 2013 REPORT PER ACTIVITY ................................... 16
Notes on the Financial Report ............................................................................. 17
ANNEXES: .............................................................................................................................. 17
Updated: February 2014
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PART 1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Project Background
BirdLife International has received a three year grant from the Aage V. Jensen Charity
Foundation (AVJCF) for the implementation of the project titled `Conservation of the birds
and biodiversity of the Lake Victoria Basin (the Greatest of Africa’s ‘Great Lakes’) through
community-led action and sustainable development`.
Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world with a surface area of 68,800 square
kilometres. The swamps, forests and islands in and around Lake Victoria are important for a
diversity of wildlife, and there are at least 16 Important Bird Areas (IBAs) directly connected
to the lake system within bordering countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) and more in the
wider Lake Victoria Basin (including in Rwanda and Burundi). They provide habitat to species
such as the Papyrus Gonolek Laniarius mufumbiri (Near Threatened), the Shoebill
Balaeniceps rex (Vulnerable) as well as important congregations of water birds (e.g. 5,500
breeding pairs of Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo at Lutoboka Point in Uganda). The
lake and its resources are economically very important to the countries that border it
(Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania). For example, Lake Victoria supports Africa's largest inland
fishery and resources and ecosystem services from the area support the livelihoods of
millions of people. The Lake Victoria Basin is one of the most densely populated rural areas
in the world, and high levels of poverty are a major hindrance to sustainable biodiversity
management. The lake, the lakeshore and the lake basin are regarded as the engines of
economic growth in countries where poverty alleviation is of the highest priority.
BirdLife received funding from the AVJCF to take emergency action to halt escalating habitat
destruction and pressures on the biodiversity and ecological integrity of IBAs around Lake
Victoria caused by a number of factors including:
a) Pollution – domestic waste and agricultural waste disposed directly into the lake, and
catchment degradation affecting the water quality flowing through the IBAs into the
lake
b) Invasive species – especially water hyacinth which clogs water ways and obstructs the
river bank
c) Habitat degradation – especially through frequent burning, cutting down of riparian
forests, over-harvesting of Typha reeds
d) Persecution – especially through egg collection, disturbance of breeding colonies and
hunting for local consumption.
Project sites
The project operates regionally (basin level), nationally and locally (at site level). The project
partners and sites are:
1) Kenya: Nature Kenya - Yala swamp and Dunga swamp
2) Uganda: Nature Uganda - Lutembe bay and Mabamba wetlands
3) Burundi: Association Burundaise pour la protection de la Nature (ABN) - Mpungwe
Mountains
4) Rwanda: Association pour la Conservation de la Nature au Rwanda - Akanyaru
wetlands
Updated: February 2014
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Brief description of the sites
This project is being implemented regionally (influencing policy), nationally (building
conservation capacity) and locally (empowering communities at sites in the Lake Victoria
basin that have been identified as priorities for conservation of birds and other biodiversity).
Partners have chosen to work at six sites in total. The sites have been chosen based on the
presence of Local Conservation Groups (LCGs)1, and the need (and opportunity) to build on
existing relationships and work to deliver integrated livelihoods and development benefits.
Between them the sites provide a range of ecosystem services, including provisioning
services (fish, fertile agricultural land), regulating services (watershed protection,
sequestration and storage of carbon in trees and peat deposits), and cultural services (e.g.
tourism). The paragraphs below provide a brief introduction to each site.
Kenya
Yala and Dunga wetlands: The project area is Dunga
and Yala Wetlands. The Yala swamp wetland, located
along the North eastern shores of Lake Victoria in
Kenya is one of the most extensive freshwater
wetlands in Kenya. The wetland covers 17,500 hectares
along the North eastern shore of Lake Victoria in Siaya,
Bondo and Busia districts in Kenya. Three sizeable
peripheral lakes, namely Kanyaboli (10.5 km2),
Nyamboyo, (2.0 km2) and Sare (5.0 km2) lie within the
boundaries of the Yala swamp as do at least a dozen
other smaller bodies of water.
Dunga swamp (KE 037), one of the 60 Important Bird
Areas in Kenya, is located on the South Eastern shores
of Lake Victoria at (010 10’S, 340 47’E). The swamp is
predominantly Papyrus (Cyperus papyrus) which forms
a distinctive habitat type for papyrus specialist birds.
The birds include restricted range endemics like the
globally threatened Papyrus Yellow Warbler
(Chloropeta gracilirostris), the near threatened Papyrus
Gonolek (Linarius mufumbiri), White Winged Warbler
(Bradypterus carpalis), Carruthers’s Cisticola (Cisticola
carruther) and Papyrus Canary (Serinus koliensis) (IUCN
RED-DATA LIST and the Kenya IBA directory).
Yala Swamp, Jacob Owiti, Daily Nation
Dunga wetland, Venancia Wambua
Uganda
Lutembe bay and Mabamba wetlands:
Lutembe Bay is globally, nationally and locally important for
its biodiversity and ecological services. It is one of the 34
Important Bird Areas (IBAs) and 12 Ramsar sites in Uganda.
Lutembe Bay, www.ramsar.org
1
Note that the terms Local Conservation Group (LCG) and Site Support Group (SSG) are used interchangeably.
LCG is the term used by BirdLife to describe the local organisations with which it works at IBAs. SSG is the
term used more specifically by Partners in the Africa region.
Updated: February 2014
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Mabamba is an extensive marsh stretching through a long narrow bay, fringed with papyrus
towards the main body of Lake Victoria. The swamp is dominated by Miscanthus and
Cyperus species. It is an IBA and a Ramsar Site. Threats at the site include pollution from
domestic and agricultural waste; invasive species, especially water hyacinth, and habitat
degradation from frequent burning and cutting down of riparian forest.
Mabamba wetlands. Credit: David Thomas (BL).
Mabamba SSG members
Burundi
Mpungwe Mountains: Mpungwe Mountain chain is located at Ruyigi Province, in the East
of Burundi near the Ruvubu National Park . The main habitat type within the site is tropical
savannah. The site is unprotected and is threatened by human encroachment. Even though
local communities depend on catchment ecosystem services (water supply, wild harvested
goods, erosion and flood control), the mountain is highly threatened by human disturbance
(expansion of small-scale agriculture, over grazing following bush fires). The root of threats
to the site is the high population density and persistent poverty among surrounding
communities. Improving local livelihoods and increased benefits from natural resourcebased development, together with a change in the site’s status (to a protected area), would
improve the habitat and ecosystem goods and services from the site and help ensure
connectivity with the neighboring Ruvubu National Park, an IBA hosting endangered species
like the Handsome Francolin.
Handsome Francolin, Mickey Samuni-Blank
Mpungwe mountain chains, Albert Schenk
Rwanda
Akanyaru wetlands: Akanyaru wetlands, covering an area of 30,000 ha, are located in the
south of Rwanda, north-east of Butare, on the border with Burundi, and lying close to
Rwihinda Lake Nature Reserve in Burundi. The vegetation consists of a variety of marshy
habitats and papyrus swamp. More than 100 bird species are found here, including: Grey
crowned crane (Balearica regulorum), Papyrus gonolek (Laniarius mufumbiri, NT), Papyrus
Yellow Warbler (Chloropeta gracilirostris, VU) and Madagascar Pond Heron (Ardeola idea,
EN). Mammals include Sitatunga (protected under CITES), Blue Monkey (Cercopithecus mitis
dogetii) and Hippopotamus. Thousands of people depend on the wetland for their
Updated: February 2014
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livelihoods. Threats include pollution from agriculture, invasive species, especially water
hyacinth, and habitat degradation from frequent burning and cutting of papyrus.
Papyrus Gonolek (Tom Tarrant);
Akanyaru wetlands;
Sitatunga (Gip Gipukan)
Project Goal
The goal of this project is to conserve the birds and biodiversity of the Lake Victoria Basin,
and sustain the ecosystem benefits that its Important Bird Areas provide for human wellbeing, by building and strengthening a network of community-based Local Conservation
Groups.
PART 2: MAIN ACTION AND ACHIEVEMENTS FOR THE REPORTING PERIOD
(March – December 2013)
1) An inception workshop, attended by representatives from the 4 project partners, was
held in Uganda in March at which the overall project objectives were reviewed and
detailed national implementation plans prepared.
2) Participatory analysis (with local communities) of linked livelihoods, natural resource
management, climate vulnerability and governance issues at the targeted IBAs have
been completed in Uganda and Kenya and are ongoing in Rwanda and Burundi. The
reports show the communities‘ high dependence on their natural resources, their
increased vulnerability caused by climate change and population pressure, their concerns
regarding environmental degradation (e.g. clogging of waterways by water hyacinth) and
their willingness to address some of these issues through collective action.
3) The 4 project partners have begun the participatory development of community plans
for the conservation and sustainable use of natural resources at the targeted sites using
guidance prepared and disseminated earlier in the reporting period.
4) There is strong evidence that local organisations are empowered through links with
national and international organisations and networks, helping to extend their influence
and providing two-way flows of experience, information and resources. One of the
project’s objectives is to support Local Conservation Groups (LCGs) to establish links with
appropriate institutions, to support the effective (and sustainable) achievement of their
objectives. During the reporting period, various new partnerships and networks have
been established that will support community strategies at target IBAs. (See pages 11-12)
5) Project partners have made good progress in the analysis, priority- and objective-setting
required to develop National Local Empowerment strategies to guide the development,
support and networking of LCGs at their IBAs. This process has been supported by
guidance produced through the project.
Updated: February 2014
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6) Alongside the preliminary work required to produce National Local Empowerment
strategies, an assessment of project Partners‘ capacity needs to support national
networks of LCGs has also been undertaken and a synthesis report produced. The
priorities identified will be used to agree training at national and regional level.
7) A capacity assessment of LCGs has been carried out by project Partners and Capacity
Assessment reports submitted by Kenya, Uganda and Burundi (that for Rwanda is
ongoing and expected by Quarter 1 of 2014). These reports will guide future capacity
building activity.
8) The first step has been taken towards the development of a Memorandum of
Understanding (MOU) on cooperation between the Lake Victoria Basin Commission and
BirdLife to help deliver shared objectives on bioiversity conservation and sustainable
local livelihoods.
PART 3: PROJECT PROGRESS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD (MARCH TO
DECEMBER 2013)
General
Project Inception Regional Workshop and Planning
Birdlife International held a start up workshop for the project implementing partners, hosted
by Nature Uganda from 13th-15th March 2013 in Kampala, Uganda. The meeting was
attended by, the BirdLife Secretariat Regional Director for Africa, the Head of Communities
and Livelihoods (BirdLife Global Secretariat), Director for Nature Kenya, Director for Nature
Uganda, Director for ACNR, Director for ABN and the project officers leading implementation
in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi.
The objective of the meeting was to review the activities to ensure outputs are achieved
effectively and on time. Partcipants agreed on budgetary allocations, the project
management structure was reviewed, and contractual agreements agreed. At the end of the
workshop, key implementation documents were developed, including a detailed project
workplan, overall budget and expected deliverables. These documents informed the
production and agreement of national work plans and partner budgets. A news article on the
inception workshop was featured on the Birdlife International website:
http://www.birdlife.org/africa/news/empowering-local-champions-africa%E2%80%99sgreat-lakes and the project also compiled a project fact sheet (available at:
http://www.birdlife.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Project%20factsheet.pdf)
which
was widely distributed at BirdLife’s World Congress in Ottawa.
Identification and selection of six focal sites (IBAs) for the project took place. The Yala
wetlands and Dunga Beach in Kenya; the Mabamba wetlands and Lutembe bay in Uganda;
the Akanyaru wetland in Rwanda and the Mpungwe mountains chain in Burundi. All partners
signed contractual agreements in March 2013 and the first financial instalment was released
to each of them in April. They have since submitted two project progress reports, 2 financial
reports for 2013 and supporting technical reports.
Updated: February 2014
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Progress Against Strategic Objectives
Shortly after the project was approved, it became necessary (with AVJCF approval) to make
changes to Partners participating in the project – Partners in Rwanda and Burundi were
substituted for that in Tanzania. Moreover, following discussions at the inception workshop
referred to above further detail was added and minor revisions were made to the wording
(compared to the submitted proposal) to add clarity. Any changes are highlighted in the
relevant section of the report.
Strategic Objective 1:
Strategies developed to address threats to key biodiversity at IBAs in the Lake Victoria
basin through community-based initiatives which generate positive incentives for
environmental stewardship, and new funds leveraged for projects
1.1 Work with up to six communities at priority Lake Victoria IBAs to identify key threats to
biodiversity and ecosystem services and to develop clearly articulated strategies through
which to link poverty reduction, development, conservation and threat reduction at each
site
A guidance document titled ‘Participatory development of community plans at priority
sites for biodiversity conservation’ outlining important appraisal tools and guidelines for the
production of community development plans was drawn up and shared with partners in
November 2013. Such community development plans can support communities in managing
their resources more sustainably, help different groups in the community to understand
present and past patterns of resource use and their consequences, and offer a basis for
improved communication between the community and relevant decision-makers.
Community plans can sit alongside any official management plans at IBAs that are also
protected areas, for example, and provide a statement of the community’s own values,
vision and intentions.
Eleven appraisal tools were provided in the document, which is attached to this report,
Annex 1. Partners started using these recommended tools from November to collect
information from the communities around the sites targeted by the project. The
Participatory plans are expected to be completed by the end of March 2014.
1.2 Support the development of local-level management plans on the use, conservation and
development of key natural resources at these lake shore IBAs [and community-based
initiatives implemented to address priorities in community strategies]
Work is ongoing in all partner countries. Work will be based on information collected from
the communities using the Particicipatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools (see above). Based on
this information, on the communities’ increased understanding of their environment, and
the links between livelihoods, culture, resilience and their natural resources, communities
will be supported to develop local plans for the conservation of their local environment and
natural resources (through improved governance, local action, enterprise development and
policy-advocacy). It is expected that planned actions will be identified by April 2014, with
implementation continuing to the end of the project (Dec 2015).
Updated: February 2014
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1.3 Build strategic partnerships with local government and the private sector as appropriate,
to support implementation of community plans
On August 28th 2013, the BirdLife secretariat team met with the Lake Victoria Basin
Commission (LVBC) in Kisumu and presented details of the project, and a general overview
of BirdLife’s programmes. The purpose of the meeting was to learn from each other and to
start exploring ways of collaboration. The LVBC team shared information on ongoing
projects including the Mt Elgon Regional Ecosystem Programme and the Lake Victoria
Environment Management II Project. It was agreed that a discussion document proposing
possible areas for collaboration would be developed. This is in the final stages of
development by the BirdLife team.
1.4 Support the development and submission of funding applications to leverage at least
Euro 300,000 of new and additional funding for community-based initiatives in
accordance with local-level management and development plans
Work will commence once the community plans have been put in place – and a clearer
picture is available of how each community aims to address its resource management and
what additional funding may be required to support this. However in anticipation of
submitting funding applications, partners are preparing fundraising plans for 2014 and have
already identified potential donors to apply to (at the national level). These include
Conservation International (Nature Uganda); Department for International Development
(DFID) (Nature Kenya); Climate and Environmental fund (FONERWA) and International Union
for Conservation of Nature/NetherLands (IUCN/NL) (ACNR); and United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) and Fonds Français pour l'Environnement Mondial)
(FFEM) for ABN. The BirdLife Secretariat is also preparing to seek additional funding to
expand the ongoing work of the project through various donors.
Strategic Objective 2:
Capacity of local organizations at IBAs on the shore of Lake Victoria built for effective
management, sustainable use and monitoring of the IBAs where they live
2.1 Hold workshops to develop national Local Empowerment Plans, setting the Lake Victoria
IBAs and LCGs into the context of national strategies
A guidance note on the development of National Local Empowerment Plans for working with
SSGs and LCGs was developed and shared with the 4 project partners in November 2013 (see
Annex 2). Partners plan to hold workshops and conduct consultations to develop their
respective plans during year 2.
2.2
Undertake capacity assessment of LCGs
Birdlife shared with its partners the Site Support Group (SSG) capacity assessment tool that
was compiled by Nature Kenya. This tool was recommended to be used for SSG capacity
assessment during the project. The tool clusters capacity assessment aspects into four broad
categories: (i) Aspirations and Strategy; (ii) Organisational Skills; (iii) Human Resources; and
(iv) Systems, Infrastructure and Organisational Structure. Weighting enables the assessors to
identify clear and targeted areas of capacity building based on the four broad categories.
In Kenya, six SSGs were assessed in Yala and Dunga. The groups in Yala were Yala Wetland
Environment Volunteers (YWEV), Kinda Youth group and Uranga Youth forum. The groups in
Updated: February 2014
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Dunga beach that were assessed were Ecofinder Kenya, Hippo Focus and Lake Victoria
Sunset Birders (LVSB).
The assessment indicated that all the groups in Kenya have a base level of capacity across all
four categories, but that project implementation would benefit if they received training on
publicity and advocacy. (See 2.5 below for details of some initial training provided)
In Uganda, 2 SSGs of Lutembe and Mabamba were assessed on 19 th and 20th September
2013. From the assessment scores, it was apparent that the SSGs would benefit from
capacity building in management and community leadership.
2.3 Assess core capacities needed by national NGOs (BirdLife Partners) to support local
organisation networking, advocacy etc.
A capacity assessment framework to assess partner capacity needs was prepared and shared
with partners who completed the assessment form. The form was completed by project
officers in the respective partner countries in order to reflect the capacity needs of this
project. Out of the assessment, a regional synthesis report with conclusions on priorities for
partner capacity development was produced and shared with partners (see Annex 3). The
areas which partners identified that they would most value training in, to work effectively
with SSGs were:





Planning and management
Participatory approaches to working locally
Policy and Advocacy / Advocacy pertaining to rights of locals over local resources
Communication and networking
Fundraising for local empowerment
Partner capacity to successfully conduct Participatory Rural Appraisals and develop
community development plans were identified as a priority by all Partners. A two-day
workshop was planned (and took place) from 22nd to 23rd January 2014. This will be reported
on in the next Annual Report (Year 2).
2.4 Develop capacity-building tools, guidelines and training materials to address common,
shared capacity issues of LCGs and supporting national Partners
Following this capacity assesment process, Partners will work with SSGs to identify
appropriate ways to address some of the capacity gaps (2.4 and 2.5) – this work will
commence in year 2.
2.5 Hold a series of workshops to strengthen grassroots organisations at IBAs, facilitate their
legal registration, and build their capacity for resource management, sustainable use and
monitoring
Through their participation in the project, the Lutembe SSG is seeking legal registration as a
Civil Society Organisation. This will give them a stronger voice when liaising with local
authorities, will enable them to access funding and will encourage greater co-operation from
local communities.
Updated: February 2014
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Strategic Objective 3:
Local organisations in the Lake Victoria Basin that are effectively networked for sharing of
experience and good practice
3.1 Assess existing civil society networks and communications approaches and technologies
being used by communities in the LVB area
An analysis of existing local networks that could work and collaborate with SSGs was
undertaken by partners, who have begun to identify networks that they could collaborate
with to support the project. Examples are summarised in the table on the next page.
At the regional level, a framework for review of existing networks within the LVB area was
developed and a web-based review of existing regional networks undertaken, with a total of
7 institutions identified:







Lake Victoria Basin Commission (LVBC) - formed in 2011 and mandated to promote,
facilitate and co-ordinate the activities of different actors in the basin.
Lake Victoria Region Local Authorities Cooperation (LVRLAC) - a network organization of
local authorities around Lake Victoria with its regional secretariat in Entebbe, Uganda.
OSIENALA (Friends of Lake Victoria) - established in 1992 as a national NGO with its head
office in Kisumu City in Nyanza province, Western Kenya. It started as a membership
organization by local communities who live and derive their livelihoods from the
resources of Lake Victoria and its environs.
Lake Victoria Children and Youth Network (LVCYN) - an International Network founded in
Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda which is working on issues of children and youth rights.
Abertine Rift Conservation Society/Societe de Conservation du Rift Albertin - a regional
conservation organisation with the sole focus on conserving the biodiversity of
the Albertine Rift. Its overall goal is to enhance conservation of critical ecosystems and
promote sustainable development in the Albertine Rift through collaborative actions.
The Lake Victoria Fisheries Organization - an Institution of the East African Community,
responsible for coordinating and managing the fisheries resources of Lake Victoria.
The Nile Basin Initiative - a regional inter-governmental partnership led by 10 Nile
riparian countries which provides an all-inclusive regional platform for multi stakeholder
dialogue, information sharing as well as joint planning and management of water and
related resources in the Nile Basin.
Birdlife has held meetings with 2 of these institutions, namely the Lake Victoria Basin
Commission (LVBC) and the Nile Basin Initiative, with avenues for collaboration identified. A
discussion paper on collaboration avenues with LVBC is currently being developed, as a
precursor to agreeing an MOU on collaboration, and will be finalised by March, 2014. The
Nile Basin Initiative has requested to attend one of the regional meetings or workshops
relating to the project so that they can better understand it and discuss possible ways of
collaboration. Plans will be put in place to invite them to an appropriate project meeting by
the end of the 2nd quarter of 2014. Meetings and discussion with the other regional bodies
will take place as appropriate, during the remainder of the project.
Updated: February 2014
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NETWORK
ISSUES ON WHICH LOCAL
COMMUNITY CAN ENGAGE
ENTRY POINTS
(meetings,
processes, dates)
EXPECTED OUTCOMES
FROM ENGAGING IN THE
NETWORK
Uganda
Community
Tourism
Association
(UCOTA)
Effective marketing of
community tourism;
advocacy for tax incentives
to support communitybased tourism
Annual UCOTA
meetings
Regional UCOTA
representative (at
her office)
Greater profile for
Lutembe & Mabamba Bay
in national advertising
Uganda Water &
Sanitation NGO
Network
(UWASNET)
Poverty &
Conservation
Learning Group
(U-PCLG)
County & SubCounty
Environmental
Committee
OSIENALA
(Friends Of Lake
Victoria)
Water and Sanitation
Annual meetings,
and joint
implementation
of projects
Meetings to share
information
Lobby for implementation
and inclusion/
representation on
environmental issues
Awareness creation
Quarterly
meetings
Ruvubu Network
Conservation
Capacity building
Climate Change
Network
Ruvubu National Park
conservation
Development
process for
Ruvubu management plan
Workshop
Promotes dialogue on the
links between conservation
and poverty reduction
Updated: February 2014
Meeting
WHO (EXACTLY)
WILL ENGAGE
FROM THE
COMMUNITY /
SSG
SSG focal point
on ecotourism
COUNTRY/
PARTNER (OR
REGIONAL)
Better sanitation and
water access for lakeshore communities
SSG or focal
person
Uganda
Learning from other CBOs
– lessons relevant to
Akanyaru LCG applied at
the local level
Effective representation of
local communities within
decision-making forums
SSG or focal
person
Rwanda
SSG education
department
Kenya
Greater area of coverage/
number of people reached
by the LCG’s education
and awareness activities
Improved conservation of
Ruvubu National Park
SSG department
of education
and exhibition
Kenya
SSGs, will cover
4 provinces
Burundi
Strategies for
conservation of
biodiversity in Ruvubu NP
SSG
Burundi
P a g e | 12
Uganda
3.2 Produce a networking and communications plan appropriate to needs, capacities,
technologies and resources.
Having identified the networking avenues through the networking analysis both at regional
and national levels, networking plans are currently being developed.
3.3 Support networking activities and exchange of experience (e.g. through twinning
programmes and exchanges; bilateral mentoring frameworks; newsletters) according to
need and using appropriate technologies
In Kenya, two members of Yala Wetland Volunteers (YWEV) and one site conservation officer
attended the National Site Support Group Workshop in Machakos, Kenya in September
2013. The theme was climate change and adaptation. The meeting supported sharing of
lessons between members of the 18 SGGs in attendance. The National Site Support Group
Workshop takes place annually and attracts SSGs from all regions in Kenya. The aim of the
workshop is for SSGs to exchange ideas and learn from the success and failures of each
others’ initiatives. The Workshop is usually also an opportunity for SSGs to receive training
on their identified areas for improvement. Training on advocacy, communications, social
media and biodiversity monitoring was conducted at the 2013 workshop.
Whilst this example from Kenya provides an excellent model for SSG networking, additional
resources (beyond those available to the current project) would be required to replicate it
more widely. The project will therefore be seeking and adopting other ways of supporting
exchanges and lesson learning between SSGs (e.g. through exchange visits, newsletters etc.).
These networking activities will be rolled out from the 2nd quarter of the project in 2014.
3.4 Establish a Lake Victoria Basin LCG Forum, to meet on an annual basis to facilitate
information flow; and underpin coordinated advocacy and campaigning
At the inception workshop it was decided that rather than create a dedicated [BirdLife]
forum for LCGs, it would be better (more sustainable, of greater benefit) to focus effort and
resources on supporting LCG networking more widely and including with other institutions,
such as those identified under activity 3.1. Therefore it was agreed at the workshop that this
activity be changed to:
3.4 Networking and exchange/lesson-learning activities by SSG / community members,
regionally and nationally, which increase awareness and lead to replication of good practice.
Such networking activities will be rolled out during the 2nd quarter of the project in 2014.
Updated: February 2014
P a g e | 13
Strategic Objective 4 (revised):
Local and national governments, regional and international forums informed of the
importance of local organisations for the sustainable management of environmental
services
Original Output 4: Local and national governments, regional and international forums
informed of the importance of the environmental services provided by IBAs in the Lake
Victoria Basin to the livelihoods and wellbeing of local people
Explanatory note: At the inception workshop it was discussed and concluded that, in line
with the project’s main strategy, the project’s communications and policy actions should be
more focused on advocating the role of local organisations in sustainable resource
management, rather than (only) on the value of natural resources to local communities
(though this will continue to be part of communications). This messaging is more targeted,
and complements the work of many other local and national NGOs in the region. The
wording of the Strategic Objective (Output) 4 has been adjusted to reflect this, however, the
sub-activities 4.1 to 4.3 remain as per the original proposal.
4.1 Support communities to develop and implement advocacy strategies at the appropriate
levels, in support of their objectives for the sustainable use of resources at IBAs
Partners are in the process of developing advocacy plans with activities planned to be rolled
out from the 2nd quarter of 2014.
4.2 Based on community needs and priorities, support communities to advance common
agendas with relevant forums at local, district, national and regional level
Partners are in the process of developing advocacy plans with activities planned to be rolled
out from the 2nd quarter of 2014.
4.3 Promote analysis and sharing of lessons and best practice between local communities
and policy-makers, and influence policy and practice at local, national, regional and
international level.
At the regional level, the BirdLife project manager and advocacy team reviewed key
advocacy opportunities for 2014, and drew up an initial advocacy calendar for 2014,
targeting available resources on two key advocacy events during the year. The two events
are the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) that will occur in
September http://www.unep.org/roa/Amcen/default.asp and the Convention on Biological
Diversity Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (CBD SBSTTA) 18
http://www.cbd.int/meetings/ that will take place in June 2014. These meetings provide
opportunities to advocate the project’s approach of empowering local community
organisations, and supporting initiatives which link local livelihoods and resilience to climate
change to the sustainable use of natural resources.
AMCEN targets African ministers responsible for the environment (and who are members of
the AMCEN Conference). AMCEN’s mandate is to provide advocacy for environmental
protection in Africa; to ensure that basic human needs are met adequately and in a
sustainable manner; to ensure that social and economic development is realized at all levels;
and to ensure that agricultural activities and practices meet the food security needs of the
region. This overall agenda is relevant to the objectives of this project, and we will be
Updated: February 2014
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seeking to communicate key lessons from the first 18 months of project implementation to
decision-makers at this forum.
The CBD SBSTTA meeting has agenda items on invasive alien species (relevant to problems
of water hyacinth on Lake Victoria); integration of the conservation and sustainable use of
biodiversity into climate-change mitigation and adaptation activities; and the sustainable use
of biodiversity (bushmeat and sustainable wildlife management). All are issues relevant to
this project.
At these events, the project’s activities and experience will be showcased through
appropriate media (e.g. side events, project presentations, poster displays).
Other communications regarding the project include:
 A project factsheet has been prepared (see Annex 5). This has been distributed widely at
conferences, workshops and other meetings.
(http://www.birdlife.org/sites/default/files/attachments/Project%20factsheet.pdf)
 The project is featured on the project-pages of the BirdLife website:
http://www.birdlife.org/africa/projects/empowering-local-champions-africas-great-lakes
 Nature Uganda featured various articles on Lake Victoria, among them one on
‘Promoting Ecotourism at Mabamba Bay’ in their E-bulletin (October 2013 issue). (See
Annex 4)
 ABN featured the launch of the project as a news item in the ‘Inyomvi’ newsletter of
2013 which has a wide national coverage (full article attached with this report, Annex 4)
 A news article covering the inception workshop was featured on the BirdLife
International
website:
http://www.birdlife.org/africa/news/empowering-localchampions-africa%E2%80%99s-great-lakes
For year 2 of the project, Partners have each identified communications opportunities,
including through TV, radio, national newspapers and regional conferences.
PART 4: PROBLEMS ENCOUNTERED
This project, like any other project, has had its share of challenges during implementation
and efforts have been made to deal with such challenges to realise the planned objectives.
Below is a summary of the major problems encountered:

Rwanda partner (ACNR) has quite limited staff to effectively handle the implementation
of this project, which requires skills in quite diverse areas (community livelihoods, policy
advocacy, communications, capacity building) making it challenging for a small NGO.
However ACNR expects to recruit a project implementing officer for the project in 2014
(within the envelope of existing resources) which should help address this capacity
shortfall.
 Poor communication technology and breakdown of communication connections (emails
and telephones) in some partner countries have made it difficult to monitor project
progress.
Despite these setbacks, we do not expect the time table of project activities or the overall
budget to be significantly affected.
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PART 5: DETAILED FINANCIAL 2013 REPORT PER ACTIVITY
Summary budget by activity
Spend 2014
3 year
Budget
Balance
%
remaining remaining
17,760
21,699
6,437
12,348
28,218
78%
5,000
2,579
4,685
3,474
22,691
26,699
9,016
17,033
31,692
3,105
4,350
2,052
5,472
6,671
14,020
13,691
7,012
26,198
38,030
10,915
9,341
4,960
20,726
31,359
78%
2,254
1,580
6,835
4,734
7,679
6,013
34,690
25,356
5,425
4,433
27,855
20,622
71%
3,420
3,789
5,787
70,715
16,186
25,358
25,964
347,328
12,766
21,569
20,177
276,613
79%
Output 1: Community-based initiatives which generate positive incentives for environmental stewardship
1.1 Threats analysis and livelihoods-conservation strategy development
4,931
1.2 Local-level management plans
1.3 Strategic partnerships with local government and the private sector
1.4 Development and submission of funding applications for leverage of new and additional funding
1.5 Seed funding for community-based conservation-livelihoods projects
81%
71%
72%
89%
Output 2: Capacity built of local organizations
2.1
Develop national Local Empowerment Plans
2.2
Capacity assessment of LCGs
2.3
Assess core capacities needed by national NGOs
2.4
Develop capacity-building tools, guidelines and training materials
2.5 Workshops and training to strengthen grassroots organisations
68%
71%
79%
82%
Output 3: Local organisations networked
3.1
Assess existing civil society networks
3.2
Produce a networking and communications plan
3.3
Support networking activities and exchange of experience
3.4
Establish a Lake Victoria Basin LCG Forum
74%
80%
81%
Output 4: Local and national governments, regional and international forums influenced
4.1
Support communities to develop advocacy strategies
4.2
Support communities to advance common agendas
4.3 Influence policy and practice at local, national, regional and international level.
TOTAL
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85%
78%
80%
Notes on the Financial Report
Project expenditure during the first year was lower than expected for a number of reasons,
including:
 The project inception workshop could not take place until mid-March owing to the
need to fit within the schedules and work commitments of the senior staff at each of
the Partner organisations. This essentially meant that the project did not get
actively underway until this time.
 In Burundi, the appointment of a new CEO and a significant reorganisation (including
renaming of the organisation) led to delays at national level. However, they are now
established in post and very supportive of the implementation of the project.
 A decision was made to focus on careful planning during the first year of the project –
concentrated on understanding capacity needs and participatory planning with
communities. Therefore many of the more input-intensive activities have not yet
started.
 Costs of attendance at BirdLife’s World Congress were lower than anticipated as
some participants did not get visas to enter Canada. (Notes from the relevant
sessions have been shared with those who were unable to attend in person.)
 Some significant (and resource intensive) activities, such as national workshops on
development of national LCG strategies, were delayed (by all Partners) until the first
quarter of 2014.
Despite these factors the project is making good progress, and we do not, at this stage,
expect any significant change in the project plan and schedule. Despite the low expenditure
in year 1, Partners anticipate that they will be in line with the disbursement plan by the end
of 2014.
ANNEXES:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Guidance note on production of Community Development Plans
Guidance note on development of National Local Empowerment strategies
Partner capacity assessment synthesised report
Various news articles from project partners
Project fact sheet
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