General Information
Cooperation projects in 2021Supporting UNESCO biosphere reserves in Southern Africa
What is the MAB Programme?
The Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme was created in 1971 by UNESCO with the objective to promote the relationship between people and their environments for sustainable development.
UNESCO biosphere reserves are the main instrument of the MAB Programme. These protected areas are model regions that promote interdisciplinary approaches to reconcile the conservation of biological diversity with its sustainable use by people.
UNESCO biosphere reserves are the main instrument of the MAB Programme. These protected areas are model regions that promote interdisciplinary approaches to reconcile the conservation of biological diversity with its sustainable use by people.
UNESCO biosphere reservesUNESCO biosphere reserves promote sustainable development by balancing nature conservation and socio-economic development, and by providing local solutions to global challenges.
UNESCO biosphere reserves
Biosphere reserves rely on two key principles: engaging with local communities and using a knowledge-based approach. This means involving the community in decision-making and management, as well as combining traditional knowledge with scientific research, monitoring, and education.
Supporting UNESCO biosphere reserves in Southern Africa
Since 2017, the German Commission for UNESCO has been collaborating with National Commissions for UNESCO in Southern Africa to promote the MAB Programme. Central goals of the cooperation are:
- the exchange of knowledge and experiences in the region,
- the establishment of new biosphere reserves,
- the quality assurance and improvement of already designated biosphere reserves.
Exchanging knowledge and experiences: The Regional MAB Workshop
Regional networking and the exchange of knowledge and experience have a significant role to play in advancing the goals of the MAB programme. For this purpose, an annual workshop with representatives from all nine partner countries in Southern Africa is held in the region. In addition to this opportunity for exchange, participants visit selected biosphere reserves to obtain practical insights. Several digital workshops with specific thematic foci also offer the opportunity for an extended group of stakeholders to share and discuss ideas on practical issues, such as the participation of local communities or youth.
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Eswatini
Engaging with Communities in Lubombo BR
Lesotho
Building Management Structures in Mat’seng BR
Zambia
Becoming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Nomination
Zambia: Becoming a UNESCO biosphere reserveHow the nomination process for Kafue Flats was navigated
First impressions of Kafue Flats Biosphere Reserve
Gaining the support of local chiefs
The support of local authorities is crucial for the nomination of a UNESCO biosphere reserve. The MAB Task Team in Zambia organized meetings with local chiefs to inform them about the proposed Kafue Flats Biosphere Reserve and to discuss their questions, needs and demands.
With the support and input of all eight participating chiefs, the MAB Task Team completed the nomination dossier and submitted it to UNESCO. This approach fostered community participation and promotes sustainable development in the area.
With the support and input of all eight participating chiefs, the MAB Task Team completed the nomination dossier and submitted it to UNESCO. This approach fostered community participation and promotes sustainable development in the area.
Informing local communities via radio shows
The MAB Task Team visited several radio stations to inform local communities about the planned biosphere reserve and the MAB Programme. During the interviews, the task team was able to share their vision for the biosphere reserve and to talk about possible benefits of the MAB Programme for local communities in the area.
Local radio stations are an optimal means to reach individuals within the biosphere reserve areas, as they are a popular news medium in Zambia.
Local radio stations are an optimal means to reach individuals within the biosphere reserve areas, as they are a popular news medium in Zambia.
Radio Clip 1: Introducing the Kafue Flats Biosphere ReserveA first impression of the radio programme
Radioclip 2: Sharing the benefits among the communityExperts share insights about innovative practices such as solar energy and fish farming
Endorsement by local chiefs and community feedbackTaking the final steps towards the submission
In order to secure further acceptance from local communities and chiefs, engagement with these key stakeholders is advisable also after the designation process.
After the biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO, the MAB Task Team held a meeting with local chiefs and communities to gain their feedback and acceptance.
Participants expressed their needs for the region's further development, such as capacity-building for alternative livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and preservation of grazing and water points for livestock.
After the biosphere reserve was designated by UNESCO, the MAB Task Team held a meeting with local chiefs and communities to gain their feedback and acceptance.
Participants expressed their needs for the region's further development, such as capacity-building for alternative livelihoods, biodiversity conservation, and preservation of grazing and water points for livestock.
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Lesotho
Building Management Structures in Mat’seng BR
Zambia
Nomination of Kafue Flats BR
Eswatini
Engaging with Communities in Lubombo BR
Building Management Structures
Lesotho: Building management structures in Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve How the MAB Committee engaged with communities and included local stakeholders in the elaboration of management structures
Building management structures in Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve
UNESCO designated Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve in 2021 – it is thus now part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves. The national MAB Committee is responsible for the biosphere reserve. It consists of key stakeholders from the area and of representatives from politics and other relevant institutions.
They are responsible for establishing management structures and implementing various activities to involve local communities. In doing so, they ensure the long-term improvement of the quality of the designation of the area.
They are responsible for establishing management structures and implementing various activities to involve local communities. In doing so, they ensure the long-term improvement of the quality of the designation of the area.
First impressions of Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve
Stakeholder project launch meetingBringing the stakeholders together to brainstorm on the way forward
As a starting point in the overall process of establishing management structures within the biosphere reserve, the Lesotho MAB Committee organised an information meeting to bring together various local stakeholders. These included government officials, community leaders and conservation groups, among others.
During the meeting, the participants exchanged ideas on possibilities to pool resources in order to enhance the benefits of the biosphere reserve. They also discussed which institutions should be involved in its management.
During the meeting, the participants exchanged ideas on possibilities to pool resources in order to enhance the benefits of the biosphere reserve. They also discussed which institutions should be involved in its management.
Training of local MAB Ambassadors Building a team to inform local communities
The MAB Committee trained young community representatives as MAB Ambassadors to spread information about Mat'seng Biosphere Reserve in local communities. They act as links between the communities and the biosphere reserve management unit and also assist in identifying income-generating activities aligned with local traditions and environmental conservation.
Creation of various information materialsPromoting Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve
The partners in Lesotho created and produced different materials to inform local communities as the key stakeholders in the area about the newly designated Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve.
The information material was spread through traditional as well as social media. Other promotional channels such as radio and newspaper adverts and leaflets were also used to inform local communities.
The information material was spread through traditional as well as social media. Other promotional channels such as radio and newspaper adverts and leaflets were also used to inform local communities.
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Zambia
Nomination of Kafue Flats BR
Eswatini
Engaging with Communities in Lubombo BR
Lesotho
Building Management Structures in Mat’seng BR
Enganging the community
Eswatini: Engaging with local communitiesConducting a community-needs-assessment in Lubombo Biosphere Reserve
Conducting community-needs-assessmentsHow students identified the needs and demands of the local residents
To gain support from local communities for the Lubombo Biosphere Reserve after its 2019 UNESCO designation, MAB actors in Eswatini conducted a community-needs-assessment. Students from the University of Eswatini were trained to collect data from the residents living in the area using a questionnaire designed to represent all community members' ideas and opinions.
The Department of Statistics of Eswatini analyzed the data, and traditional authorities then developed community projects tailored to their specific needs and demands.
The Department of Statistics of Eswatini analyzed the data, and traditional authorities then developed community projects tailored to their specific needs and demands.
Community projectsTraining local tour guides for sustainable tourism
The Charuma Ecology Restoration and Conservation Initiative provided a training program in Mlawula Nature Reserve located in the area of the biosphere reserve. Participants were trained in diverse skills, including bush navigation, animal tracking, and safety measures, and received certificates upon completion.
Participants were also given the opportunity to pitch their own tour guiding business ideas to a jury. The top three proposals received additional support and resources to establish their tour guiding program. The project served to develop the Lubombo Biosphere Reserve as a hub for sustainable tourism, contributing to the community's economic growth.
Participants were also given the opportunity to pitch their own tour guiding business ideas to a jury. The top three proposals received additional support and resources to establish their tour guiding program. The project served to develop the Lubombo Biosphere Reserve as a hub for sustainable tourism, contributing to the community's economic growth.
Community projectsCommunity market to support families
Based on the results of their community-needs-assessment, the Mambane Community built a market with three stalls where locals can sell their products, including food.
The project served two purposes: generating income for the community members and supporting destitute families within the community using the rent paid for the stalls. In this way, the project is a model for the promotion of economic empowerment and social support for the community.
The project served two purposes: generating income for the community members and supporting destitute families within the community using the rent paid for the stalls. In this way, the project is a model for the promotion of economic empowerment and social support for the community.
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Zambia
Nomination of Kafue Flats BR
Eswatini
Engaging with Communities in Lubombo BR
Lesotho
Building Management Structures in Mat’seng BR
Matsooana SekokotoanaA biosphere reserve has been designated… what next?
Vongani MaringaHow have countries addressed this need for further guidance?
Tonderai MakoniThe involvement of youth in biosphere reserves
Further readings
In 2023 started a new two-year project phase entitled "Model Regions for Sustainable Development: Fostering UNESCO Biosphere Re4serve in Southern Africa". It aims to further strengthen the promotion of biosphere reserves in the region.
For more information, please consult these websites:
For more information, please consult these websites:
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Supporting UNESCO biosphere reserves in Southern Africa
What is the MAB Programme?
UNESCO biosphere reserves
UNESCO biosphere reserves
Supporting UNESCO biosphere reserves in Southern Africa
Exchanging knowledge and experiences: The Regional MAB Workshop
Zambia: Becoming a UNESCO biosphere reserve
First impressions of Kafue Flats Biosphere Reserve
Gaining the support of local chiefs
Informing local communities via radio shows
Radio Clip 1: Introducing the Kafue Flats Biosphere Reserve
Radioclip 2: Sharing the benefits among the community
Endorsement by local chiefs and community feedback
Lesotho: Building management structures in Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve
Building management structures in Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve
First impressions of Mat’seng Biosphere Reserve
Stakeholder project launch meeting
Training of local MAB Ambassadors
Creation of various information materials
Eswatini: Engaging with local communities
Conducting community-needs-assessments
Community projects
Community projects
Voices of our partners
A biosphere reserve has been designated… what next?
How have countries addressed this need for further guidance?
The involvement of youth in biosphere reserves
Further readings