The project "Promoting the value of Key Biodiversity Areas in North Africa by strengthening the role of NGOs in their management and conservation" funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), concluded with the publication of three studies conducted in Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

This regional project was implemented during 2 years (2014 and 2015) in five Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs): the Ifrane and Toubkal National Parks in Morocco, the Djurdjura National Park in Algeria, the Ichkeul National Park and the Sebkha Sidi Mansour National Park in Tunisia. The project has also assessed the current state of knowledge about the value of these areas and has proposed operational mechanisms to strengthen collaboration between these sites, civil society organizations (CSOs) and research institutions.

Furthermore, the project has pursued the consolidation of partnerships among the different actors responsible for KBA conservation and management. To this end, steering committees were set up in these countries to follow up on project activities. These committees gathered representatives from central and regional governments, civil society organizations and universities. This has facilitated the creation of an exchange platform that enabled the participation of associations in the debate on the current situation and the future state of KBAs.

Three publications are currently available

This study was developed to define a partnership mechanism between KBAs and civil society organizations on one hand, and between KBAs and research institutions on the other. It has also highlighted the non-structured framework under which such collaborations evolve today. Moreover, the study has proposed specific mechanisms (i.e. framework conventions and agreements) that could have a positive impact in the region once implemented. The results of the study in each country can be consulted in the reports available online.

Projects activities implemented towards the strengthening of knowledge and the enhancement of the capacity of KBA managers have helped anchor the concept of key biodiversity areas in the agenda of the different actors. It has also formed the basis to continue developing a regional strategy for KBA conservation and management focusing on the economic value of ecosystem services in the different KBAs in North Africa.

For more information: Maher Mahjoub

Photo credits: Publication's cover - © IUCN-Med