Regenerative seascapes project launches to enhance coastal resilience in Mozambique

Photo: IUCN Mozambique

Vilanculo, Mozambique, May 2024. Today, the Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature (ReSea) Project was launched at Águia Negra Hotel in Vilanculo, Inhambane, gathering 50 representatives from government, private sector, researchers, and communities from Vilanculo and Inhassoro. Funded by Global Affairs Canada as part of the Partnering for Climate engagement, the project will be implemented by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Mission Inclusion in partnership with local feminist organization, Muleide.

ReSea aims to enhance resilience of women, men and young people, the vulnerable and marginalized, living in coastal communities in Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, Madagascar, and Comoros, to the adverse effects of climate change events. In Mozambique, the project will be implemented in the Vilanculo and Inhassoro districts on the coast of Inhambane Province.

The ReSea project is anchored to the Western Indian Ocean-led and Africa-driven Great Blue Wall (GBW) initiative, whose objective is to significantly accelerate and expand ocean conservation actions while enhancing socio-ecological resilience and developing a regenerative blue economy by catalysing political leadership and financial support. This will be achieved by leading the establishment of a connected network of nature and people-positive regenerative seascapes, driving effective, community-anchored conservation and restoration measures whilst fostering a regenerative blue economy.

The ReSea project will activate, amplify and drive this leadership in the five seascapes, thus operationalising and accelerating the Great Blue Wall Initiative.

Expressing the government’s support of the project, Secretary of State for Inhambane Province, His Excellency Amosse Macamo had this to say, “Falling under the Great Blue Wall initiative endorsed by His Excellency Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, President of the Republic of Mozambique at the Africa Climate Summit held in Kenya and at COP28 in Dubai, Arab Emirates [both] in 2023.

“The ReSea project represents a joint commitment to nature-based and gender-sensitive solutions to protect, restore and manage our coastal and marine ecosystems in a sustainable way, we seek not only to protect biodiversity, but also to improve the quality of life of the people who depend on these resources.”

Canadian High Commissioner in Mozambique, Sara Nicholls said, “Canada recognizes the particular challenges faced by coastal African countries in adapting to the increasing threats of climate change. The Partnering for Climate initiative that supports the ReSea project here in Mozambique is targeted at supporting engagement with communities who are most at risk and can benefit from increased resilience, especially women and girls.

“Canada is committed to working with the Government of Mozambique and our implementing partners to help communities adapt, invest in prevention, and bring together key stakeholders to address these challenges. By investing in women as agents of change for their communities, it is our hope that Nature-based Solutions (NbS) will help protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems in order to address societal challenges effectively while providing human well-being and biodiversity benefits.”

“The ReSea project, part of the Great Blue Wall initiative, continues IUCN's long-standing collaboration with the Government of Mozambique. The ReSea project is committed to preserving our natural resources for current and future generations," stated Mauricio Xerinda, IUCN Mozambique Country Representative.

Genevieve Morency, ReSea Project Director, Mission Inclusion, said, “In partnership with local stakeholders, we seek to amplify voices and foster agency among local communities, particularly women and youth in vulnerable and marginalized situations, creating an inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. Through targeted initiatives, we seek to support these communities to reach their full potential. We believe that the empowerment of women and youth is essential for driving progress and development in Mozambique.”

“Women, Law and Development Association, (MULEIDE), Mission Inclusion and IUCN, are all partners for the implementation of the ReSea Project in Mozambique sharing a common understanding that women’s participation can enhance conservation effectiveness by strengthening collaboration, compliance, conflict resolution and accountability. When women have access to better livelihoods, their families and communities also benefit.  We hope to play a particular role in enhancing women’s capacities, and developing more effective gender equality platforms as part of Blue Economy strategies are key in its success,” remarked Muleide Executive Director, Rafa Valente.

About the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)

IUCN, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, is a membership union composed of governments, civil society organizations and IPLC representatives. It harnesses the experience, resources, and reach of its more than 1,400 Member organizations and the input of more than 15,000 experts. IUCN is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the measures needed to safeguard it. Working in Mozambique for over 20 years, IUCN has been a strategic partner for the Government of Mozambique, supporting the development and implementation of the biodiversity legal framework, delineation of Key Biodiversity Areas in Mozambique, development of the spatial planning framework, Nature-based Solutions for climate change adaptation in terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems, as well as gender inclusion in agro and blue economy value chains.

About Mission Inclusion

Building on 75 years of experience, Mission Inclusion pursues Cardinal Leger’s dream of a world of fairness and dignity where no one is left behind, a world where everyone has a place and participates in their community. Mission inclusion supports innovative and mobilizing actions to ensure the well-being of vulnerable or marginalized people around the world. It supports local and community interventions focussed on building capacities in individuals and on mobilizing communities. Mission inclusion promotes gender equality and the essential role of women as agents of change in all of its actions.

About Muleide

Muleide is a Mozambican non-governmental organization, established in 1991 and based in Maputo. It is a social and humanitarian association that was established as a women's organization to promote and defend women's human rights. To this end, it develops research related to gender issues, provides legal education and legal assistance to economically disadvantaged women, provides training on women's health and HIV/AIDS, in addition to developing actions to combat violence against women and to elevate its social status.

About the Inhambane seascape

Recognized worldwide for its rich marine biodiversity, the Vilanculo and Inhassoro districts on the coast of Inhambane Province are part of a natural treasure to be protected. Designated by IUCN as a marine conservation area of global importance, it was recently highlighted by the Government of Mozambique as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) and Hope Spot for Marine Biodiversity by Sylvia Earle's Mission Blue.

In addition to its ecological value, the coast of Inhambane has several community-managed fishing areas, extensive mangroves, seagrass beds, and vibrant coral reefs. Large populations of migratory marine mammals find refuge here, highlighting the global ecological importance of this region and its socio-economic value for Mozambique.

Despite its high value, vulnerability to extreme weather events and the impact of economic development represent a major risk to the conservation of this biodiversity and there is an urgent need to promote the sustainable seascapes approach that contributes to climate resilience and the socio-economic development of coastal communities.