In Ambongamarina, Fanamby brought together the municipality’s two Community-Based Natural Resource Management Associations (VOIs), local authorities, and government technical services to review their performance. The objective was to identify operational challenges, develop corrective measures, and prepare for the evaluation that will determine the renewal of their Natural Resource Management Transfer (TGRN) agreements.

Taking Stock Before a Key Milestone

On June 17–18, Fanamby organized a technical and administrative support workshop in Anjozorobe for the two Community-Based Natural Resource Management Associations (VOIs) of the Ambongamarina Rural Municipality: Imaintsoanala, from the Antanifotsy fokontany, and Sahatsinjo Sakaizan’ny Voahary (SSV), from the Anosimanarivo fokontany.

The workshop took place at a critical moment. The Natural Resource Management Transfer (TGRN) agreements of both VOIs have expired. Before these agreements can be renewed, an evaluation will assess each association’s performance and its compliance with the commitments made under the previous management contract.

The workshop therefore aimed to establish a shared assessment of the current situation and identify priority actions to be implemented before the upcoming evaluation.

Identifying Challenges Together

The sessions began with a review of the VOIs’ roles and responsibilities in managing natural resources, followed by a discussion of the main challenges encountered in the field.

Several issues were identified, including:

• insufficient communication with the Forestry Officer (Chef de Cantonnement);
• irregular submission of activity reports;
• failure to comply with certain contractual obligations;
• difficulties in enforcing the local community by-laws (Dina);
• internal organizational issues and conflicts of interest.

Participants also noted increasing pressure on the natural resources managed by both VOIs, reinforcing the need to strengthen their governance and day-to-day operations.

Open Discussions Among Stakeholders

The workshop brought together all key stakeholders involved in local natural resource governance, including the District Chief of Anjozorobe, the Forestry Officer, the Mayor of Ambongamarina Rural Municipality, two representatives from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MEDD/BICEF), members of both VOIs, and Fanamby’s technical team.

Discussions were candid and, at times, challenging, particularly between VOI representatives and local authorities. However, these exchanges helped clarify expectations, address misunderstandings, and improve coordination among the different actors.

Fanamby also reminded participants that, although it serves as the delegated manager of the protected area, available financial resources remain limited and cannot meet every request for financial support. As a result, discussions focused on prioritizing actions and clarifying the responsibilities of each stakeholder.

An Action Plan Before the Evaluation

At the end of the workshop, both VOIs developed action plans to address the main issues identified during the discussions.

The next steps will consist of implementing these priority actions, monitoring their progress, and conducting the official evaluation in collaboration with the Regional Directorate of Environment and Sustainable Development (DREDD). The results of this assessment will inform the decision on whether to renew the Natural Resource Management Transfer agreements.

This activity was carried out with the financial support of Tany Meva.