The context of Madagascar

Madagascar, the fifth largest island in the world and an island nation in southern Africa, has abundant natural resources, a young population and an exceptional ecological heritage. However, the country remains one of the poorest in the world, facing major challenges in terms of poverty, food security and climate change.

A difficult socio-economic context:

• 78% of the population lives on less than £2 per day.
• 11 million people are undernourished (2017-2019).
• 78% of the working population works in the agricultural sector, often on unprofitable and fragile land.

The fishing sector, which has great potential, remains under-exploited and threatened by foreign competition.

A fragile healthcare system

• 1.6 million children suffer from stunted growth.
• More than one in ten children die before the age of five.

Environmental vulnerability:

• Madagascar is one of the countries most exposed to climate change in the world.
• The country could lose up to 4% of its GDP by 2050 due to ongoing environmental degradation.
• 25% of mangrove forests have disappeared in 23 years, exacerbating erosion and reducing coastal protection.

Coordination of coastal resilience activities in Morondava

• Project duration: 2025 - 2027

Our Objective

To strengthen the climate resilience of Morondava communities in the face of coastal erosion and flooding through integrated and sustainable coastal zone management.

Our Actions

• Training local stakeholders in integrated coastal zone management (ICZM), climate change adaptation and sustainable natural resource management
• Promoting participatory management of coastal areas with the involvement of local authorities, NGOs and communities
• Strengthening natural defences against erosion (dunes, mangroves)
• Rehabilitation of the Hellot Canal to improve runoff management and prevent flooding
• Raising awareness among communities, particularly young people, of environmental issues and climate resilience
• Development of sustainable and replicable management models for other coastal regions of Madagascar and the Indian Ocean islands

Our Impact

This project contributes to better coastal protection, improves the resilience of populations to climate risks and offers sustainable solutions that can be transferred to other coastal contexts.

Our aim is to ensure the sustainable management of natural resources, particularly mangrove areas, by working to protect biodiversity, safeguard ecosystem services and promote socio-ecological resilience, with the involvement of local authorities and communities. A great deal of thought is being given to this issue within our consortium of university NGOs, Uni4Coop.

To achieve this, together with our local partners, we are working to improve the governance of mangrove areas, through advocacy in favour of these ecosystems, as well as raising local awareness of regulations.

To strengthen shared knowledge in this area, awareness-raising campaigns on ecosystem development and management plans and environmental education in schools are being set up. We also organise consultation and knowledge-sharing sessions on the proper management of ecosystems. Access to this knowledge requires the ability to read and write. Functional literacy and consciousness-raising courses are therefore offered to adults who have not had the chance to go to school.

To encourage the sustainable use of mangroves, we are working to improve the incomes and living conditions of the people living in these areas. This involves supporting sustainable economic activities that do not destroy the ecosystem, setting up and developing group savings schemes, and supporting fishermen's cooperatives. We also organise exchange visits on mangroves and open days in these areas.

Finally, to encourage the conservation and restoration of mangrove areas, we have set up a "green fund" to support local initiatives. We are also distributing a toolkit of best practices and promoting an economic model that reconciles exploitation and conservation.

Partners : FIVOI, FIAME, OPCI Alokaina, FIDEV, ALEFA MENABE, DRPEB (Direction régionale de la Pêche et de l’Economie bleue) et DREDD (Direction régionale de l’Environnement et du Développement Durable).

Partners and Funders

Partners

• IHSM
• MAGNIRIKE
• FIDEV

Funders

• DGD
• Gouvernement monégasque
• Agence Française du Développement
• FFEM
• Commission de l'océan Indien
• Fonds français pour l’environnement mondial

Promoting inclusive fishing in the mangroves of Menabe

• Project duration: 2022–2026

Our Objective

To ensure the sustainability of fishing areas located in the mangroves of the Menabe region by preserving natural resources and meeting the socio-economic needs of local communities.

Our Actions

• Conducting in-depth studies on fishery resources, including field surveys and catch monitoring to understand exploitation dynamics and species diversity;
• Collecting and analysing data to inform local policies and strengthen sustainable management of fishing areas;
• Promoting inclusive fisheries resource management, involving local communities in decision-making and governance;
• Identifying and supporting alternative economic activities (beekeeping, market gardening, etc.) to reduce pressure on mangrove ecosystems;
• Strengthening the protection of mangrove ecosystems through strategies adapted to the socio-economic realities of fishermen and the families who depend on them.

Our Impact

This project contributes to a better understanding of fishery resources and enables the development of more sustainable and inclusive fishing practices. It supports the diversification of local communities' livelihoods and promotes the long-term preservation of mangrove ecosystems, which are essential for the region's biodiversity and climate resilience.

Socio-economic resilience of rural women in Menabe

• Project duration: 2022-2026

Our Objective

To strengthen the socio-economic resilience of 200 rural women who are members of Solidarity Savings Groups (GES) by developing their entrepreneurial and agricultural skills and their access to sustainable productive resources.

Our Actions:

• Strengthening governance and decision-making autonomy within 15 Solidarity Savings Groups
• Creation of a seed centre and an agricultural processing unit to improve access to modern agricultural resources
• Organisation of training courses in association governance, financial management and agroecological techniques
• Technical and logistical support for the production of quality seeds and the processing of agricultural products (peanuts, cassava)
• Networking of GES to promote exchanges, solidarity and the dissemination of good practices

Our Impact

This project improves the income and economic autonomy of rural women, strengthens local food security and contributes to the sustainability of agricultural structures through participatory and sustainable local management.

Support for a sustainable food system

• Project duration: 2022–2026

Our Objective

To improve the resilience of rural communities in the Menabe region to the effects of climate change and strengthen their economic autonomy and transition to sustainable and agroecological agriculture.

Our actions

• Technical support for agroecological production and sustainable farm management
• Support for agricultural and food diversification, with easier access to agricultural inputs
• Support for the development of commercial channels and the processing of agricultural products to increase local added value
• Promotion of agroforestry and reforestation to limit erosion and improve soil quality
• Establishment of income-generating activities for rural households
• Structuring and supporting farmers' organisations for better representation with regional and national authorities
• Raising awareness of climate change among rural communities and using the Environmental Integration Tool (OIE) to promote more resilient and sustainable agriculture

Our Impact

This project helps improve food security, economic autonomy and the resilience of farmers to drought and erosion. It promotes sustainable local agriculture and supports the structuring of farmers' organisations so that they can better defend their interests and influence local and regional decisions.