PPI OSCAN at the PPI 20-Year Forum: Strengthening Synergies for Conservation in Africa

On the occasion of the 20-Year Forum of the Small-Scale Initiatives Program (PPI) organized in Senegal by the French Committee of IUCN, the IUCN-Med team, which coordinates the PPI OSCAN program (Small-Scale Initiatives Program for North African Civil Society), was invited to participate in this major event for civil society. These two programs, supported by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM), share a common approach: supporting small-scale civil society initiatives (CSOs) engaged in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

The participation of the IUCN-Med team in this forum aimed to strengthen exchanges and synergies between the two programs, which operate in different regions of Africa but share similar objectives in supporting civil society. This presence helped intensify collaborations and foster mutual learning between CSOs from North Africa, Central Africa, and West Africa.

As part of this event, the Tunisian CSO Atrakouda, a beneficiary of PPI OSCAN, had the opportunity to participate. Its commitment to wildlife conservation and community engagement around protected areas aligned perfectly with the forum’s key themes. Through its expertise, the association contributed to discussions by sharing best practices in wildlife monitoring and local community involvement in conservation efforts.

Forum PPI, ©PPI, French Committee of IUCN

Rich Exchanges on Wildlife Monitoring Tools and Approaches

During the forum, Atrakouda presented its expertise in wildlife conservation in Tunisia and identified similarities with the approaches of CSOs from Central and West Africa. Discussions focused on wildlife monitoring tools, such as camera traps and drones, which are increasingly used to better understand and protect biodiversity.

The exchange with CSOs from other African regions was a valuable opportunity to analyze the differences and similarities in community engagement strategies, considering the cultural and social realities unique to each country. These insights allowed the association to broaden its perspective and enhance its participatory conservation practices.

Forum PPI, ©PPI, French Committee of IUCN

A Media Commitment to African Biodiversity

Atrakouda was also honored to participate in a special episode of the podcast “C’est pas du vent” by RFI, alongside other African associations. This podcast shed light on the tools available to preserve African biodiversity and facilitated discussions on the challenges and innovative solutions implemented by CSOs in the field.

🎧 Listen to the podcast: What tools are available to preserve African biodiversity?

Immersion in Senegal: Meeting CORENA and Raising Awareness Among Youth

Following the forum, Atrakouda extended its stay in Senegal by visiting the headquarters of CORENA, an association supported by the PPI. This immersion allowed its members to take part in activities at the Boundou Community Reserve, including setting up a tree nursery and training a group of female leaders in natural resource management for their village.

One of the highlights of this exchange was an awareness-raising session with children and teenagers from surrounding villages. Atrakouda shared insights about wildlife in Tunisia’s Bouhedma National Park, drawing parallels with Senegal’s biodiversity. This initiative helped enhance local awareness of conservation issues, enabling young people to better understand the biodiversity challenges across different African ecosystems.

Strengthening Ties Between African CSOs

Atrakouda’s participation in the forum and post-event activities illustrated the importance of the network of CSOs supported by the PPI and PPI OSCAN programs. The collaborations and lessons learned from this experience open up new opportunities for sharing best practices and innovative conservation tools.

By fostering exchanges between CSOs from different countries and highlighting the importance of pan-African cooperation for biodiversity conservation, this forum served as a catalyst for strengthening the impact of local and international initiatives.

➡️ To learn more about PPI approach in North, Central and West Africa: V2_UICN_PPI_ENG.indd