How We Work

Regional to national implementation and governance structures
MFF invests directly in coastal ecosystems through on-the-ground projects, relevant to the Programmes of Work. These projects are highly effective as the testing ground for new and innovative practices, which are recorded through the monitoring, learning and evaluation process and then shared through the MFF knowledge platform.

Several types of project are used to channel MFF activities. Since 2008, both small-scale and larger projects have been implemented in the member countries. From 2010, regional projects have been introduced as a way of addressing topics relevant to the whole MFF region.

At the level of regional implementation, the 15 PoWs are being implemented through/or in partnership with MFF member country national governments, MFF institutional partners (CARE, FAO, IUCN, UNDP, UNEP, and Wetlands International), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and community organizations, as well as the private sector. Implementation is directed by a Regional Steering Committee (RSC), while the National Coordinating Body (NCB) in each country has oversight at national level.  Each NCB is assisted by in-country support staff managed by the UNDP or IUCN country office. These structural features of the MFF ensure accountability, transparency and governance, and offer information-sharing and learning opportunities among diverse, countries, sectors, and agencies.

The RSC is co-chaired by UNDP and IUCN, with national government representatives and institutional partners as its members. RSC meetings are held once a year. The MFF Secretariat works closely with the NCBs, and UNDP/IUCN country offices to ensure smooth running of the initiative and its activities.

The mandate for directing, regulating, and coordinating development and project activities in country is steered through each NCB in coordination with existing national mechanisms for coastal management. The NCBs select and recommend appropriate projects and programmes eligible for grants.

Each MFF focal country has developed its own MFF National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) to guide implementation at the national level.  Only projects that are closely aligned with the priorities of the National Strategy and Action Plan (NSAP) receive funding. In the case of large projects, these are submitted as project proposals to an independent Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) for appraisal.  The project appraisal reports are then used by the RSC to decide on the allocation of funds.

Cross cutting themes across MFF's work
MFF recognizes several cross-cutting themes as essential to achieving positive results in its work. The following themes have been integrated into each of the MFF Programmes of Work.

Capacity development
Developing national capacity to manage coastal ecosystems is a strong priority for MFF. The MFF approach recognizes that both scientific knowledge and local knowledge (traditional wisdom) must be identified and integrated if coastal resources management is to be effective. To meet this need, MFF helps countries and projects adopt best practice in Integrated Coastal Management through interactive training using a range of tool kits.cycle management for NCB members, partners and coastal managers.
MFF is also supporting the implementation of climate change activities through larger projects, as well as regional-based research on the role of mangroves and other coastal ecosystems in the carbon cycle. Field experiences and lessons in building resilience are being synthesized and shared across the region and globally through MFF’s knowledge platform.

Climate change
Climate change (CC) and disaster risk reduction (DRR) are both major themes in strengthening resilience to environmental change. Building on its earlier work, MFF is scaling up and integrating these two themes through enhanced National Strategy and Action Plans, large demonstration projects, and Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation guidelines.

Another focus of activity is pilot testing of relevant coastal CC and DRR tools and methodologies, delivered through courses forming part of the larger training programme on project cycle management for NCB members, partners and coastal managers.

MFF is also supporting the implementation of climate change activities through larger projects, as well as regional-based research on the role of mangroves and other coastal ecosystems in the carbon cycle. Field experiences and lessons in building resilience are being synthesized and shared across the region and globally through MFF’s knowledge platform.

Gender equality
MFF is committed to ensuring that equality between men and women, or gender equality, is an integral part of its work. MFF’s Gender Equality Strategy recognizes gender equality as fundamental to conservation and sustainable development. The strategy addresses gender equality across the regional, national, and project levels of MFF, and recommends approaches based on the specific needs of the various MFF stakeholders. MFF aims to ensure that equality of outcomes for both men and women is achieved in the management of coastal natural resources and promotion of sustainable livelihoods.

Knowledge management and communications
MFF’s results are captured and disseminated strategically through a strong knowledge management and communications component. Knowledge management is the process of identifying, creating and sharing lessons and experiences. In the context of MFF, this means: designing a system that will organize, analyze and distribute the outcomes of MFF processes and practices; synthesizing information gathered through MFF project cycle management; collating scientific knowledge and traditional wisdom; and developing technical guidelines and best practices. Communications supports the sharing of this knowledge by making it accessible and delivering it in a form relevant to MFF’s audiences and stakeholders.

Together, these two disciplines constitute the MFF knowledge platform, a hub for recording and disseminating information that integrates human resources, dissemination channels, learning processes, monitoring and user feedback mechanisms. The platform enhances the flow of information both horizontally among different MFF stakeholders and vertically between the regional, national and project levels. This flow is essential to achieving MFF’s objectives, as well as ensuring results, lessons and best practices are shared widely.

Private sector partnerships
MFF promotes environmentally sustainable business practices in coastal areas by harnessing the interest and resources of companies through multi-stakeholder partnerships. MFF targets five sectors that have major investments in coastal areas and depend economically on coastal ecosystems: tourism; fisheries; ports and harbour; oil and gas; and mining and dredging. By promoting cost-effective practices that contribute to sustainability and encourage collaboration, MFF helps businesses in these sectors adopt greener, more ecosystem-friendly strategies in their operations.