Since 2005, this federation of women's economic interest groups, centered on the island of Niodior, has worked to rehabilitate mangrove ecosystems and promote natural resource management in the Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve. The group was Founded in response to multiple pressures on the reserve's mangrove and marine resources, and a 22-woman monitoring committee was established to regulate the harvesting of marine and forest resources.

With funding from the UNDP-implemented GEF Small Grants Programme, the initiative developed a participatory code of conduct for marine harvesting, purchased equipment to monitor access to the reserve, and established a central fund to provide loans to individual groups, benefitting more than 7,000 local people through the provision of microcredit. This fund is supplied with revenue from the harvesting of zones following year-long enforcement of 'no-take' regulations.

 

Key Facts 

Equator Prize Winner: 2010

Founded: 2005

Location: Niodor, Saloum Delta Biosphere Reserve

Beneficiaries: Several hundred villagers

Biodiversity: Sustainable harvesting and reforestation

 

Case Study

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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