Communications and stakeholder involvement is a vital component of the regional Benguela Current Large Marine Ecosystem (BCLME) SAP IMP Project. In many large-scale projects, such as the BCLME SAP IMP Project, local communities are often overlooked and not included in planning and implementation processes. To improve the situation and ensure that the local communities’ needs and aspirations are included in the BCLME SAP IMP and BCC activities, the DLIST team will work closely with communities in carefully selected demonstration sites. This process ensures that stakeholders without access to the internet can participate actively in activities for the BCLME SAP IMP and BCC.

There will be a total of three demonstration sites; one in Angola, South Africa and Namibia. Selection of the demonstration sites will be based on a set of criteria and lessons learned from the DLIST ASCLME Project (www.dlist-asclme.org) and the Integrated Community-based Ecosystem Management Project (ICEMA). The activities at each demonstration site will focus on exploring ways of securing livelihoods through sustainable use and conservation of resources. The selected local communities will be empowered and trained to plan, implement, monitor and evaluate these demonstration projects as well as to ensure their long-term sustainability. Activities at the demonstration sites will include a situational analysis of the region, so potential development can be identified, and subsequently each community will develop their own plans, following Local Economic Development (LED) planning frameworks. The activities at the demonstration sites will be linked to the overall objectives of the BCLME SAP IMP, and more importantly will respond to the local agendas and needs.

Through engagement with the communities at the selected sites, the local stakeholders will identify issues hindering sustainable development. They can also prioritise areas where extra attention is needed to discuss alternative livelihoods options. The demonstration sites also provide a venue for investments and leveraged co-funding to target issues identified by the local communities themselves.

Communication plays a central role in the DLIST approach. In each demonstration site a two-way communication between grassroots communities and higher level of authority will be established. Bridging this gap ensures a two-way flow that empowers both the communities and implementing agencies that benefit the communities well beyond the BCLME region.

This site will give you a closer look on all the demonstration sites, the ongoing activities, photos, reports and documents related to each specific site. If you want to find out more about what is going on in each site or how you can become actively involved, please contact the DLIST admin team.