Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature Project Launched in East Africa

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Mission Inclusion have been selected by Global Affairs Canada to implement an international cooperation project aimed at reducing the physical and socio-economic vulnerability of East African coastal communities to the effects of the climate crisis. The project, titled Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature, will be implemented in coastal and marine regions of the West Indian Ocean, in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Madagascar, and the Comoros. The project has three major objectives, with IUCN leading efforts to improve biodiversity conservation and manage marine protected areas, while Mission Inclusion will focus on economic empowerment of women in the blue economy.

Key Takeaways:

• The Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature project will directly benefit 350,000 people, including 225,000 women and 12,500 people in vulnerable and marginalized situations, in coastal and marine regions of the West Indian Ocean.
• The project will be implemented over three years and will have a total of 10 partner organizations, including 5 women's organizations and 5 conservation organizations.
• Mission Inclusion will raise awareness of the importance of ocean, coastal, and marine conservation, the blue economy, and the empowerment of women and youth in Quebec.
• The project is aligned with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy and Policy on Gender Equality, and key international agendas such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
• The project is a concrete contribution to the Great Blue Wall initiative, which aims to create a network of marine and coastal protected areas for the preservation of biodiversity and local livelihoods.
• The project will have a significant impact on the lives of approximately 2 million people living in coastal and marine regions of the West Indian Ocean.

Statistics:

• $30 million in government funding will be allocated to the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature project.
• 350,000 people will directly benefit from the project, including 225,000 women and 12,500 people in vulnerable and marginalized situations.
• 2 million people will be impacted by the project, living in coastal and marine regions of the West Indian Ocean.
• 10 partner organizations will participate in and directly benefit from the project activities, including 5 women's organizations and 5 conservation organizations.
• The project will raise awareness of the importance of ocean, coastal, and marine conservation, the blue economy, and the empowerment of women and youth, in Quebec.

Sources:

• Press Release from International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
• Press Release from Mission Inclusion
• Government of Canada's announcement of funding for the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate, and Nature project