Strengthening Empowerment

7. Capacity Building
Building the capacity of professional coastal managers for integrated coastal management (ICM)

Integrated coastal zone management (ICM) is complex. Stakeholders involved therefore need to have an understanding of both the ecological and socio-economic characteristics so that they can appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of the management intervention, and the dynamic and inter-linked characteristics of the coastal environment. Adequate capacity, in terms of institutions, technical skills, human and financial resources, is essential if the principles and theory of ICM are to be translated into practice and result in successful programmes. Inadequate human, financial and institutional resources are often the main obstacle for good intended ICM initiatives to be successful.

A National capacity and training needs assessments for different stakeholder groups in order to identify gaps, needs, and strengths and opportunities for building capacity in ICM was carried out as a preparatory activity. Capacity building was considered a fundamental need in all of the MFF countries and the lack of capacity is often identified as the major obstacle for sustainable resource management.

This programme of work aims to build and strengthen regional capacity and networks of coastal researchers, managers and practitioners, and training and research in coastal issues. More training facilities dealing with ICM needs to be developed, or provide practical training for coastal practitioners and managers.

The MFF Secretariat has been building technical capacity by providing regional and international consultants to complement local expertise. MFF also conducts regional and national training courses, such as courses in Applying Project Cycle Tools to Support Integrated Coastal Management applicable to the field/project level, including climate proofing and sustainable livelihood approaches. MFF has also organized and supported country-to country study tours, and secondments within the Regional Secretariat.

This programme of work also encourages South-South cooperation, and urges greater effort through the exchange of experience, expertise, information and documentation between institutions. MFF intends to develop targeted training modules for coastal practitioners and managers, including enforcement agencies. Our actions carried out under this programme of work will contribute to:more effective institutions and mechanisms for cooperation in coastal ecosystem management, increased prioritisation of coastal ecosystem management in the development agendas of regional institutions more effective policy, legal and institutional mechanisms for inter-sectoral coordination in environmental aspects of coastal management,and increased prioritisation of coastal ecosystem management across national development agendas, policies and budgets.