The document provides an overview of community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) in Namibia. It discusses the historical context of CBNRM since Namibian independence in 1990. It also summarizes some of the key policies and programs that have promoted CBNRM, including communal conservancies, which now cover over 12 million hectares. Finally, it outlines CBNRM's vision for empowering communities to sustainably manage natural resources, and discusses initiatives to develop long-term funding strategies to support this vision.

1. CBNRM Namibia Cape town March 2009 Maxi Pia Louis and Kauna Ndilula

2. Key topics to be covered: Overview of CBNRM Namibia H istorical financing mechanisms CBNRM vision Fund initiative Workshop expectations

3. Overview of CBNRM in Namibia Independence of Namibia and the end of colonial rule in 1990 resulted with the abolishment of apartheid One of the first African nation to adopt conservation of the environment into its constitution Evolving economy and associated changes in land use – moving towards integration of wildlife, tourism into rural development approach Considered by many to have the most dynamic and effective conservation / rural development program in Africa Human animal Conservation Self Insurance Scheme (HACSIS)

4. Overview (continued) Unlocking and promoting Namibia’s comparative advantages? Policy and Legislative Reform Promotion of Innovative Conservation / Development Approaches Freehold Conservancies Communal Conservancies Concessions Policy for National Parks Public / Community / Private Conservation Linkages

5. Overview (continued) Unlocking community opportunities through Policy & Legislative reform Government Gazette of the Republic of Namibia N$1.20 Windhoek - 17 June 1996 No. 1333 Government Notice Page No. 151Promulgation of Nature Conservation Amendment Act, 1996 (Act 5 Rights granted to Rural Communities: Conditional Rights over Wildlife Rights To Revenue from Wildlife and Tourism 55 Conservancies gazetted to date 12,273,600 Hectares Aprx. 39% of total surface area in Namibia under Conservation 14.4% of land covered by Conservancies on communal

6. Overview (continued) Empowerment: 1 in 8 Namibians >80 Communities mobilized into representative governance bodies Additional 70,000 people in emerging conservancies

7. Treat rural residents as respected & valued partners and they will then become the solution to conservation and not the problem! Community attitudes to Conservation “We do not hate conservation just the problems –and in not being allowed to benefit!”

8. Benefits from Communal Area Conservancy in 2007: US$

10. Financial program benefits are growing Total for 2007: US$ 5,2 mil

11. Number of tourist arrivals into Namibia: 1989-2006 Massive growth in Tourism Sector since 1989 Now over 800,000 visitors a year 6.9% growth projected for next 10 years 72,000 tourism related jobs Estimated 16% of GDP

12. Historical Funding mechanisms? Donor funding (WWF, EC, USAID, SIDA, NORAD,DANIDA, DFID) Namibian Government (ICEMA) Private sector funding In kind contribution by Conservancies and the Namibian Government Joint venture funding

13. Challenges vs Strategies Challenges Demand on support services Demand on local technical capacity Financial compliance / accountability Human wildlife conflict Expectations / Utopia Integration with other livelihood strategies Sustainability Strategy Maintain Political Support / Goodwill Identify and implement long term objectives and activities Address Capacity and Implementation Approaches of Service Providers Develop a Long Term Funding Strategies

14. CBNRM Vision A Namibian CBNRM Programme which empowers present and future generations to manage integrated wildlife and other natural resources as a recognized and valued rural development option

15. Sustainability Fund initiative Engagement of sustainability finance coordinator with the objective to: d evelop a sustainability finance strategy (funding mechanisms) secure stakeholder buy in implement strategy together with stakeholders

16. Workshop expectations Learn from other countries with comparable set – ups L earn from others on trust fund establishment F undraising strategies in mobilizing sizable funding support E stablish network relations

17. Thank You!