PAPACO: extension of the programme

PAPACO works in a region composed of:

•  a good conservation potential and still vast ecosystems to preserve, notably forests.

•  A rich and sometimes plentiful biodiversity

•  Yet, protected areas management results are sometimes insufficient to ensure the sustainable conservation of the sites,

•  Unequal professional levels between countries, with low capacities for the planning, monitoring, reporting and sustainable financing?

•  and many expectations to go forwards.

PAPACO: work strategies

PAPACO's approach is based on a few principal methods of work, whatever the subjects addressed (biodiversity, local development, economy ?:

- evaluation will allow to move forwards : put in place simple systems for the monitoring/evaluation of protected areas management methods, in all categories…this includes the setting up of tools, methods, standards, guides of good practice?and of course the realization of a significant number of evaluations at various levels, which results will be broadly disseminated.

- developing the knowledge necessary for the management and the improvement of the conservation of nature in the region; the matter is to conduct studies on useful subjects in order to progress, ask ourselves questions, change our ways of acting?/p>

- setting up innovative solutions will, whenever possible, allow to meet the challenges identified; it is about the transformation of management methods, and also focussed issued such as equity?/p>

- and trainings adapted to the new challenges, under the form of targeted modules, continuous trainings, a regional master degree etc.; this is intended to protected areas managers, and also to all partners on the field?/p>

PAPACO: small staff

A handful of collaborators based at IUCN-PACO headquarters in Ouagadougou or on the field for projects. But PAPACO mainly relies on its partners' network: administrations of interested states, NGOs and local associations, individual experts, members of IUCN commissions (of the World Commission on Protected Areas in particular)?Many people contribute to the programme by participating on a voluntary basis to the works, communications in the monthly newsletter, sharing information?

In particular, a group of associate experts is more particularly involved in the programme's life and contribute to the realization of many activities. Also important are the evaluators trained within the framework of the APAO project ; they particularly intervene to evaluate the management methods of the protected areas of the region; and this project's CST members who supervise the works.

PAPACO: an increasing number of partners

Historically supported by the French Global Environment Facitlity ( FFEM ), PAPACO has built many relationships with the main partners involved in conservation and concerned with improving the impacts of their action in protected areas. We should take this opportunity to thank them for their trust and their increasing level of trust in us. PAPACO responds to the requests of important environmental sponsors such as the Global Environment Facility (GEF), but also participates in small local programmes as the one set up by FFEM to support civil society in the South ( PPI ). It more and more tries to rely on regional donors such as the African World Heritage Fund to strengthen its partnerships on the field.