Operationalising the NbSA Demonstration Site in Nioumachioi, Mohéli

Establishment of the MME Committee 

A key outcome of the workshop was the agreement to establish a Management, Monitoring, and Evaluation (MME) Committee, comprising approximately 19 local actors. The committee brings together representatives from community associations, women’s groups, and youth organisations engaged in the protection, conservation, and restoration of coastal and marine ecosystems at Nioumachioi. The MME Committee will operate under the guidance of village leaders, the Mayor of the Mlejele region, and the Mohéli National Park authorities, promoting gender-inclusive NbSA approaches. 

Updated Coastal and Marine Ecosystem Mapping 

The ReSea Project supported the National Mapping Unit under the National Directorate for Territorial Planning, through its agency operating in the Mohéli seascape, to update the mapping of existing coastal and marine ecosystems at Nioumachioi. The mapping exercise, supervised by Mr. Nair Aboubacar, was reviewed and validated by all stakeholders during the workshop. Local communities and the Mohéli National Park are committed to ensuring transparency in data collection and comprehensive coverage of the mapped areas. 

Capacity Strengthening 

The initiative enhanced local capacities for ecosystem monitoring and management. As one participant, Mr. Fayid Boucharne, noted: 

“Through this initiative, I learned how to use GPS for data collection, which will support my daily conservation work.” 

Mr. Kassim Attoumani, President of the Mohéli National Park Steering Committee and manager of the Mohéli Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO, emphasised that updated mapping enables government officials to visualise up-to-date information on coastal and marine resources, threats, and community-based interventions, thereby facilitating informed decision-making for NbSA implementation and promoting a sustainable blue economy. 

Priority NbSA Actions and Co-Management Framework 

The Nioumachioi demonstration site will prioritise NbSA interventions focused on mangrove research and the restoration of degraded coastal zones. All stakeholders agreed to a co-management framework, formalised through an official accord signed by Mr Mouktafi Said Ramadan, Environmental and Forest Director of the Mohéli seascape, which outlines shared responsibility for implementing NbSA interventions. 

Post-Workshop Training 

Following the workshop, on 15 March 2026, a dedicated training session was held on coastal restoration protocols and programme activities. Conducted with support from the newly established MME Committee and local communities, the session included a field visit, allowing participants to familiarise themselves with intervention areas while initiating awareness-raising activities on gender-inclusive NbSA approaches. 

These activities represent a significant step toward strengthening community-led stewardship and ensuring the long-term sustainability of NbSA interventions in Mohéli’s coastal and marine ecosystems. The operationalisation of the Nioumachioi site demonstrates the effectiveness of multi-stakeholder collaboration in advancing adaptive, nature-based solutions in small island contexts. 

The MME Committee in Nioumachioi comprises 19 key local organisations working closely with the ReSea Project to implement gender-inclusive NbSA interventions at the Nioumachioi site. This initiative marks the first time that all local community groups have been actively involved in a project of this nature, ensuring both the sustainability of actions and the shared responsibility of local communities in managing and protecting coastal and marine ecosystems.