The project is aimed at providing development benefits to communities that are linked to the protection of the Gola National Forest Reserve. As part of the efforts for the anticipation to enhance communities to participate in development projects and be provided skills training as an incentive for participating in conservation activities and upholding the rule of law around the reserve. The project is aimed at providing development benefits to communities that are linked to the protection of the Gola National Forest Reserve. As part of the efforts for the anticipation to enhance communities to participate in development projects and be provided skills training as an incentive for participating in conservation activities and upholding the rule of law around the reserve

1. Mapping and assessing community needs
From the inception of the program, communities will be taken through participatory processes in order to identify, map, inventory and critically assess their livelihood activities. The use of Participatory Approaches, this process is to enable SCNL and partner to have a thorough understanding of what communities depend on from the reserve for livelihood, how they have become vulnerable as a result of the establishment of the park, the impact of the establishment of the park on their conventional livelihoods, and identification and development of possible alternative livelihoods. The analysis will focus on different aspects and causes of their vulnerability and at the same time offer mechanisms for follow-up programs in a manner that ensures better targeting. A gender analysis will be important to this exercise as it helps to provide a comprehensive understanding of the linkages between women?s experiences and the denial of their social, economic, legal and political rights. The purpose for this is to also closely scrutinize the power relations that determine for instance, who gets what, who makes decisions and who is excluded, in order to identify what needs to be transformed.
Moreover, there is potential for dispute between communities already engaging with conservation and protection of the national reserve and forest, and external persons seeking a means of livelihoods and engaged by deforestation, illegal mining, fishing and logging. The project will be conflict sensitive in its design as well as in its implementation and management. The project also look at the community of casual workers engaged in the illegal activities, who may resist the project unless they are also provided the incentives envisaged by the project.
Regarding environmental issues, SCNL will ensure that an Initial Environmental Examination (IEE) that will spell out environmental impacts and their mitigation on activities to be implemented will be conducted in close collaboration with FDA-. This exercise will be compliant with FDA and other relevant Environmental Regualtions.
2. Providing development activities, skills and livelihoods trainings
Using the findings from the mapping and assessment activities, SCNL will support communities to carry out developmental activities and acquire skills for sustainable livelihoods. Activities and projects emanating from the process will periodically be assessed to ensure they address the needs of the communities, are environmentally friendly, and in accordance with the environmental laws and procedures. SCNL will ensure that vulnerable groups such as women and youth benefit from these development activities. SCNL will select two persons from each participated community to participate in eco stove production training and in turn conduct they will conduct door to door eco stove usage training.
3. Working with established Community Development Committee (CDC)
SCNL and partner will strive to promote community ownership. In order to achieve this, we will work with established Community Development Committee provide appropriate training, and strengthen their capacity to manage and market projects. SCNL will not only ensure that women are well represented in the CDCs but also that sufficient number of CDCs is lead by women. The CDCs will play an important role in engaging the communities and sustaining the project initiatives. It is therefore critical to have women leader who can then effectively engage other women members in these communities. The project will facilitate sustained community engagement with key stakeholders.

OBJECT 2 ACTIVITIES: TO INVOLVE COMMUNITIES IN THE MANAGEMENT AND PROTECTION OF THE RESERVE.

1. Sensitization on the linkage between community development projects and conservation
Sensitization and awareness-raising is central to the success of the program. The program will utilize existing community structures such as community development committees, FDA to share and disseminate information about the incentive based approach; its objectives, procedures, roles, responsibilities and partnerships/stakeholders to participating communities. The primary focus of this sensitization and awareness raising exercise will include drawing the link between livelihoods sustenance and conservation of the forest. The project will provide a platform for continued engagement with key stakeholders and subsequently sign memorandum of understanding with the project communities.

2. Promoting community engagement with the policies, legal framework governing nation?s biodiversity..
It is clear that there are policies, institutional and legal framework governing nation?s biodiversity. Very importantly, communities need to understand these policies, institutions and laws, and the role of key actors. Conversely, these policies, institutions and laws might not reflect the concerns of affected communities. Moreover, enforcement must target real criminals and not be used to harass local people and threaten their livelihoods. In order to achieve this, SCNL program staff will collaborate with FDA in creating awareness and dissemination of policy and legal information about importance of biodiversity in short and long term sustainable development. Providing information on policies will be a continuous activity throughout the program and will be done during organized community meetings and trainings, and through existing and new community institutions such as the CDC, s, Sight Support Group. Activities will be designed in such a way as to promote and enhance community organizing and mobilizing, as well as networking for sustainable livelihoods and ecological conservation.

3. Strengthening Sight Support Group (SSG) in the buffer zone communities around the reserve.
SCNL and FDA will facilitate the training of established SSG?s in investigating, documenting, and reporting on illegal forestry activities around the reserve.