Conservation of Coastal Eco-Systems in Tanzania: The PWANI Project

The project is implemented by the University of Rhode Island's Coastal Resources Center, in partnership with local organizations, including UZIKWASA, WIOMSA, TaTEDO, CEEST, and SeaSense. The project's target areas include Bagamoyo, Pangani, and Zanzibar, with a focus on improving the management of coastal resources, reducing the impacts of climate change, and promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. The project's period of implementation is from December 15, 2009, to December 14, 2013, with a budget of $4,377,061, including a cost share from the University of Rhode Island. The project's principal target beneficiaries include coastal districts, government departments and institutions, coastal communities, NGOs, and CBOs, as well as the private sector. Major counterpart organizations involved in the project include the National Environmental Management Council (NEMC), the Vice President's Office (VPO), government departments and institutions, coastal districts, local ICM programs, and NGOs. The project's standard indicators include the number of hectares in areas of biological significance under improved management, the number of hectares in areas of biological significance showing improved biophysical conditions, and the number of laws, policies, strategies, plans, agreements, or regulations addressing climate change and/or biodiversity conservation. During the first quarter of FY 12, the project achieved several results, including the establishment of 26,734 hectares of areas of biological significance under improved management, the development of 8,660 person-hours of training in natural resources management and/or biodiversity conservation, and the training of 362 individuals. The project also made progress in promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, with 52 households implementing energy-efficient measures and 153 households with improved access to finance, including community credit and start-up grants. Additionally, the project reached 2,715 stakeholders with increased capacity to adapt to the impacts of climate variability and change, and 734 individuals with increased economic benefits derived from sustainable natural resource management. The project's performance monitoring plan (PMP) is designed to track progress towards the project's objectives and indicators, with regular reporting to USAID and other stakeholders. The project's team includes a director, project manager, business manager, administrative and finance officer, and other technical staff, with support from USAID's Agreement Officer's Technical Representative (AOTR) and other partners. The project's introduction highlights the importance of conserving and managing coastal ecosystems in Tanzania, which are critical for the country's economic development, food security, and poverty reduction. The project's goal is to promote sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, reduce the impacts of climate change, and improve the management of coastal resources. The project's FY 12, Quarter 1 results, outputs, and priorities include the establishment of critical coastal area use planning in Bagamoyo District, the protection and monitoring of coastal forests and associated wildlife inside SANAPA, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities. The project's administration, communications, and learning activities include project management, supporting the VPO and NEMC, cross-learning and communications, and other activities aimed at promoting the project's objectives and outcomes. The project's cross-learning and communications activities include the exchange of knowledge and best practices among project staff, partners, and stakeholders, as well as the dissemination of project results and lessons learned to a wider audience. The project's activity 1.1 and 1.2 focus on critical coastal area use planning in Bagamoyo District, with the aim of promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities and reducing the impacts of climate change. The project's activity 1.3 focuses on protecting and monitoring coastal forests and associated wildlife inside SANAPA, with the aim of conserving and managing coastal ecosystems in Tanzania. Overall, the Conservation of Coastal Eco-Systems in Tanzania: The PWANI Project is a critical initiative aimed at promoting sustainable livelihoods for coastal communities, reducing the impacts of climate change, and improving the management of coastal resources in Tanzania.