The project is an initiative to strengthen and build capacity of the local communities and stakeholders in Sinadambwe and Simamba areas of Siavonga district, to come together to safeguard and conserve the local biodiversity and forest ecosystems. The project objective is to create an enabling environment and capacity for sustainable forest management as a contribution to greater forest ecosystem stability, local biodiversity conservation as well as inclusive promotion of alternative sources of rural livelihoods. Through this project the community will understand their role in the protection of the forests and other natural resources management around their communities.
Using the Rights Based, Social Accountability (SA) and gender sensitive approach, the project will contribute to the expansion of civic space for vulnerable communities? participation in sustainable forest management actions by building their advocacy skills for them to engage in environmental and developmental issues, strengthen adaptive capacities and the ecosystems they depend on for their livelihoods.
The key expected results include: (i) Improved and alternative livelihoods based on the sustainable use of forests, including income generating options for communities especially women, youth and persons with disabilities, (ii) Increased knowledge about the beneficiary rights to forest resources and their participation in natural resource governance, decision making, and demand for more accountability, (iii) Establishment of Village Savings and Lending Associations (VSLA), (iv) Improved value chain and market linkages for locally produced beverage (Mubuyu drink), (v) Sustainable and efficient use of wood and wood products.