All genders are involved in the project and no distinction is drawn. Approximately 350 men and 300 women live in the area.
Planning gef grant
COSMO hopes that a full scale rehabilitation programme for all wetlands in Harare and Chitungwiza will be established with all stakeholders using medium size GEF or other funding.
Policy Impact
From the 1st Phase of the project, COSMO has made significant strides towards influencing local and national environmental policies especially those targeting Wetland protection. At local government level COSMO was able to prepare and submit the Monavale Local Environmental Subject Plan to the City of Harare for review. If this plan is adopted by the City Council it will ensure the Monavale Wetland is protected and conserved by the Harare City Council and this development will influence the protection of all other wetlands in Harare.
COSMO has also worked and partnered with the Environmental Management Agency in raising wetland awareness as well as in information sharing. Currently COSMO has been working with EMA in identifying all Harare and Chitungwiza wetlands as directed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management.
In the 2nd phase of the project COSMO seeks to increase its influence on local and national wetland policies through extensive wetland awareness targeting the local communities and local and national policy makers.
Policy Influence
From the 1st Phase of the project, COSMO has made significant strides towards influencing local and national environmental policies especially those targeting Wetland protection. At local government level COSMO was able to prepare and submit the Monavale Local Environmental Subject Plan to the City of Harare for review. If this plan is adopted by the City Council it will ensure the Monavale Wetland is protected and conserved by the Harare City Council and this development will influence the protection of all other wetlands in Harare.
COSMO has also worked and partnered with the Environmental Management Agency in raising wetland awareness as well as in information sharing. Currently COSMO has been working with EMA in identifying all Harare and Chitungwiza wetlands as directed by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management.
In the 2nd phase of the project COSMO seeks to increase its influence on local and national wetland policies through extensive wetland awareness targeting the local communities and local and national policy makers.
Notable Community Participation
In 2006 the Monavale Community was involved with the creation of the Monavale Vlei Biodiversity Project Management Plan and this programme results from that. Circulars were distributed in 2009 to residents who influenced the activities in the Project.
Once funding is received, all residents will be requested to assist in project implementation through voluntary work in expertise, cash or in kind. COSMO is in continuous contact with all residents in Monavale, through regular meetings, newsletters, its new website www.monavalevlei.com, its Facebook Conservation Society of Monavale Group Page and email, the community is kept aware of all activities, training in livelihood enhancement courses, the biodiversity news. Participation can take place at all these levels.
Inovative Financial Mechanisms
Indigenous Tree Nursery sales to be increased through linkages with other NGO?s, government and corporates. COSMO intends to continue its efforts in encouraging corporate environmental responsibility support for Monavale Vlei.
Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples
No indigenous people involved in the project
Project sustainability
Partnership with local authorities as well as their continued policy influence role will ensure the sustainability of the project.
Various trainings are lined up to be conducted in the project?s activities. These trainings are targeted towards promoting sustainable livelihood activities in the Monavale community and other communities that will participate in these trainings. COSMO will conduct and facilitate trainings on quick composting, vermiculture and propagation of indigenous tree seedlings. Trained individuals and communities will be encouraged to implement gained knowledge and skills in their households and communities.
Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment
Reports of each training session and workshop will be written and filed, photographs taken and posted on Facebook and the website gallery and the community will be updated through COSMO Calling, emails. Newspaper articles will be filed. As well, where possible, recordings of interviews done on radio and TV will be kept. The Monavale Vlei Biodiversity Project results will be shared with the general population through the media and brochures.
Replication of project activities
The current request for funding is specifically directed towards addressing the awareness raising component of the overall project to the local community and other key stakeholders. Various forms of media will be used to communicate and promote the project?s initiatives and results. The project seeks to become a model of urban wetland rehabilitation and conservation to be replicated in all wetlands in Harare and Zimbabwe.
Capacity - Building Component
The proposed project significantly addresses the capacity building element as its main goal is to provide awareness to the general public as well as the nation?s policy-makers on wetland importance and conservation. This is targeted to capacitate the communities to conserve their wetlands as well as the policy makers to make informed decisions. The project has also include livelihood capacity building component where it is going to conduct trainings on quick composting, vermiculture and indigenous tree seedlings propagation to various communities.
Linkages gef projects
There are no linkages at this stage with large GEF projects
Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods
Various trainings are lined up to be conducted in the project?s activities. These trainings are targeted towards promoting sustainable livelihood activities in the Monavale community and other communities that will participate in these trainings. COSMO will conduct and facilitate trainings on quick composting, vermiculture and propagation of indigenous tree seedlings. Trained individuals and communities will be encouraged to implement gained knowledge and skills in their households and communities.
Project Results
OBJECTIVE 1:To increase wetland awareness
Activities relating to objective 1:
1.1 Author, design, print and distribute a brochure on wetland awareness based on Monavale Vlei
Outputs (0-6months of completed activity):
4000 copies of brochures published
Outcome (1 year after completed activity):
Farming on wetlands reduced,
Harare Wetlands gazetted and construction reduced.
OBJECTIVE 2: To provide wetland awareness information to newspapers, radio and TV and through the COSMO website
Activities relating to objective 2:
2.1Provide copy to journalists for wetland awareness articles in print media
2.2Liaise with TV and radio for opportunities to speak on wetland awareness
2.3 Website upgrading
Outputs (0-6months of completed activity):
-One article a month for ten months
-One programme a month for ten months
-Monthly upgrading of website
Outcome (1 year after completed activity)
-Regular exposure on wetlands in print media to increase public awareness.
-Regular interviews given on wetlands on TV and radio to increase public awareness
-Improved website gives updated information on Monavale Vlei activities and therefore increased wetland awareness locally and internationally
OBJECTIVE 3: Continue with the livelihood enhancement programme through training in composting and vermiculture, tree germination techniques and alien species removal
Activities relating to objective 3:
3.1 Composting and vermiculture training workshops held
3.2 Training in tree germination techniques after which participants are enabled to grow indigenous trees as they require
3.3 Alien plant species removal to maintain the pristine condition of Monavale Vlei, as well as to share rehabilitation of any wetlands
Outputs (0-6months of completed activity):
- 9 composting and 3 vermiculture workshops held
-2 tree seed germination training sessions held
-6 sessions held
Outcome (1 year after completed activity):
-Alternatives to improper wetland use give skills for livelihood opportunities to local and high density area communities
-Livelihood opportunities increased and understanding of re forestation of indigenous trees in their correct habitats shared with local and other urban and rural communities and interested stakeholders
-Monavale Vlei kept in pristine condition and awareness on wetland reclamation shared and other wetlands being rehabilitated
