From 23 April to 3 May 2025, the Hifadhi Blu Programme convened its first Collaborative Design Workshops with four grantees across the Western Indian Ocean. These workshops brought together management teams from:
- Mombasa Marine National Park and Reserve (Kenya)
- Seychelles Parks and Garden Authority (SPGA) Marine Parks
- Addo Elephant National Park Marine Protected Area (South Africa)
- Mitsamiouli–Ndroudé National Park (Comoros)
The goal: to collaboratively refine project strategies for improving marine protected area (MPA) management effectiveness, using tailored, site-based approaches grounded in systems thinking and stakeholder-led design.
Facilitated by Advanced Conservation Strategies and supported by WIOMSA, the workshops supported grantees in co-developing:
- A clear project vision and goals aligned to site-specific challenges,
- High-leverage interventions for conservation impact,
- Monitoring frameworks to track progress and guide adaptive management.
- Identify capacity needs at site level.
Highlights from the Site Workshops
🔹 Mombasa, Kenya (April 23–24)
With a focus on creating a roadmap for a high-quality, inclusive management plan, the KWS team used structured group activities to identify and prioritize key information gaps, design a phased plan development approach, and integrate financial sustainability considerations into the planning process. The workshop built upon Kenya’s Protected Areas Planning Framework (PAPF), leveraging existing structures while creating space for innovation
🔹 Seychelles (April 26–27)
The SPGA team applied systems thinking tools to design interventions across enforcement and science-based monitoring. Discussions emphasized the need for integrated monitoring, data-informed enforcement, and institutional learning through regional exchanges.
🔹 Comoros (May 2–3)
WILDTRUST presented on the unique co-management model of the Mitsamiouli–Ndroudé MPA and discussed strengthening its co-management and participatory governance. The workshop emphasized community engagement as key pathways to effective management.
🔹 Addo, South Africa (April 29–30)
The SANParks team worked to develop a systems-informed strategy to address illegal marine resource extraction and enforcement challenges in the Addo MPA. Workshop discussions focused on the use of targeted enforcement technology, SCUBA-based ecological monitoring, ranger training, and community outreach as mutually reinforcing interventions. The process helped clarify how each action contributes to strengthened site protection and how their impact will be monitored over time.
Looking Ahead
These workshops mark a critical step in transitioning Hifadhi Blu projects from concept to implementation. They have laid the foundation for:
- Co-developed and context-specific intervention plans,
- Strengthened project ownership by MPA teams,
- Clear next steps for proposal revisions and capacity support.
As Cohort 1 enters the implementation phase, the lessons from these workshops will inform the next cohorts—ensuring that every intervention is locally rooted, systems-informed, and focused on tangible improvements in MPA management effectiveness.
Stay tuned as we share updates from each site and follow the journey of these locally-led, technically supported efforts to transform marine conservation in the Western Indian Ocean.