Resilience and Economic Growth in the Sahel – Enhanced Resilience (REGIS-ER) Local Convention Study

The REGIS-ER approach focuses on enhancing resilience through the establishment of local conventions, which are community-led initiatives that manage natural resources. The study highlights the importance of local conventions in promoting sustainable natural resource management and reducing conflicts over resource use. The REGIS-ER approach involves a planning phase, where local conventions are established and bylaws are developed to govern their operations. The local conventions are responsible for managing natural resources, including forests, ponds, and pastures. The study notes that the local conventions have been successful in integrating into Commune Development Plans, with 15 local conventions integrated into such plans in Niger and 12 in Burkina Faso. The local conventions have also generated significant revenues at the commune level, with an average of $10,000 earned per commune in Niger and $5,000 in Burkina Faso. The study highlights the impact of local conventions on natural resource management, including a 27% increase in tree density and a 25% reduction in resource-based conflicts. The local conventions have also led to the establishment of functional natural resource management structures, with 20 such structures established in Niger and 15 in Burkina Faso. The study notes that the local conventions have been successful in promoting democracy and good governance through natural resource management, with 12 local conventions integrated into commune development plans in Niger and 10 in Burkina Faso. The REGIS-ER approach has also led to the establishment of functional land commissions, with 10 such commissions established in Niger and 8 in Burkina Faso. The land commissions have generated significant revenues, with an average of $5,000 earned per commission in Niger and $3,000 in Burkina Faso. The study notes that the local conventions have been successful in reducing conflicts over natural resource use, with a 30% reduction in such conflicts in Niger and a 25% reduction in Burkina Faso. The study identifies several factors that contribute to the sustainability of local conventions, including strong community engagement, effective bylaws, and adequate funding. The study notes that the local conventions have been successful in promoting sustainable natural resource management, reducing conflicts over resource use, and promoting democracy and good governance. The REGIS-ER approach provides a model for other communities to establish local conventions and promote sustainable natural resource management. The study highlights the importance of participatory approaches to natural resource management, with citizen working groups playing a key role in the elaboration and diffusion of local conventions. The study notes that the local conventions have been successful in promoting community revenues, with an average of $10,000 earned per commune in Niger and $5,000 in Burkina Faso. The study also notes that the local conventions have been successful in improving water quality, with a 25% improvement in water quality in Niger and a 20% improvement in Burkina Faso. The study concludes that the REGIS-ER approach has been successful in promoting sustainable natural resource management, reducing conflicts over resource use, and promoting democracy and good governance. The study highlights the importance of local conventions in promoting community-led initiatives and notes that the REGIS-ER approach provides a model for other communities to establish local conventions and promote sustainable natural resource management.