Kick-off meeting in Sant’Antioco
A kick-off meeting between the project coordinators from 8 partner organizations was held in Sant’Antioco Island, Italy between 11 and 18 September 2022. , with planning of important aspects of the project, management, finance, logistics and training, definition of methods and research topics
During this meeting, all the coordinators planned specifically important aspects of the project including management, finance, logistics and training, definition of methods and research topics. It was important to decide together as well on the best way of communicating, and dividing tasks and also to make risk assessments and management.
This meeting had the role of clearly knowing the expectations and contributions of each partner, building trust among the partners and also setting up a clear strategy for the best and most efficient cooperation.
During the meeting, coordinators had the opportunity to meet local experts and discuss important topics such as the importance of geological knowledge and earth sciences, identification of damage caused by industrialisation, waste management, studying the territory and its green potential with non-invasive and economical technologies, and the possible impact of alternative crops.
Training Course in Croatia
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The Training Course, with 29 people, took place in Veli Iz (Iz Island, Croatia) from 17 to 26 April 2023 with an in-depth study of important aspects and methodologies of non-formal education identified, sharing of good practices and information.
During the programme, the context of each island in the consortium was analysed in more depth, delving into local realities and the situation of youth and the environment. The power of non-formal education and creative learning environments practices were explored. Important information was shared on scientific topics related to the specific context of the islands. In addition, each partner prepared a good practice to share with the other organisations, and a community event was held involving the local island community.
In the last days of the programme, important aspects of networking between organisations active in islands around the world and the action plan for the next phase were discussed and defined.
Training Course in Cabo Verde
The Training Course took place in Santo Antao island in Cabo Verde from 6 to 17 August 2023 with an in-depth examination of the climate change theme, more tools for the approach of young people from island communities on environmental issues, further good practices and information.
The activities took place in the agroecology centre of the Afonso Martinho, and there were also visits all across the islands, to farms and fisherfolks villages, to the Eastern Plateau Forest Perimeter, to the City Hall and to the National Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (INIDA) laboratories (including the greenhouses, insectarium and bio factory).
The Training Course in Santo Antão facilitated also a diverse range of activities that provided a deep immersion into the local culture, environmental challenges, and community dynamics. Here is an overview of the main activities:
Guided Tour of Ribeira Grande: the guided tour, in collaboration with the Municipal Council, allowed us to explore the historical and cultural richness of Ribeira Grande, S. Antão. Learning about the local heritage and witnessing first-hand the beauty of the landscape was truly captivating, according to the international participants.
Lecture on Green Economy: the lecture delivered by the Dean of the School of Agricultural Sciences and Technology, of the Technical University of the Atlantic on green economy was illuminating. “Through insightful explanations, we gained a comprehensive understanding of the processes and challenges associated with implementing sustainable practices on the island”, underscored participant Adilton Agues.
Dialogue and Visit to the Local Community: engaging with the local community provided profound insights into the impact of climate change and the strategies being employed to mitigate its effects. “It was eye-opening to witness the resilience and innovative approaches adopted by the community members in response to environmental shifts”, explained the participant Ulisses da Cruz.
Youth Day Activities: our visit coincided with Youth Day, offering numerous opportunities for interaction with the young members of the community. “Through interactive sessions, including lectures and games, we exchanged ideas and perspectives, fostering a sense of collaboration and mutual learning”, noted the participant Elisa Quadri.
Forest Exploration with Local Youth: “One of the most enchanting experiences was exploring the forest alongside local youth. Activities such as visiting the seed bank, engaging in natural painting, and creating a musical orchestra using natural elements highlighted the intrinsic connection between nature and community”, recalled the participant Samuel Awayang.
Visit to the Bio Factory of Ribeira Grande de Santo Antão: during the visit to the laboratory (insectarium/bio factory) of the Delegation of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of the department of the National Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (INIDA) in Ribeira Grande, we were given a guided and informative tour of the entire Trichogramma ssp production process for the biological control of Spodoptera frugiperta (corn leaf caterpillar) using the egg parasitoid Trichogramma. The Insectario/bio factory was funded by the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations). It was a very interactive/dynamic visit with the seminar participants showing a lot of interest in biological pest and disease control and environmental education in Santo Antão.
Activities in the field to commemorate International Youth Day: on the weekend, there several field activities were organized to commemorate International Youth Day, which is celebrated annually on August 12. First thing in the morning, the group went on an
eco-walk around the forest of the Eastern Plateau. It was a walk (eco-jogging) of about an hour and a half, where the group hiked to the Pedra Rachada viewpoint, where the participants could admire the different types of landscapes. The group was also joined by the young people from Santo Antão, living in communities around the municipality.
This was followed by a tree-planting activity. Accompanying this activity was the ADPM Association, which has various projects underway on the island of Santo Antão, including the Agroforestry Systems Project in Cabo Verde.
Explanations were also given throughout the planting and the walk, with technical support from the Forestry Services of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Environment. Thus, thanks to the assistance of some of the project’s technicians, the participants were able to
learn the different techniques for planting trees (for example, mulching).
Afterwards, there was a time for socializing at the headquarters of AMUPAL – the Eastern Plateau Women’s Association. There, participants were able to visit the plant nursery and seed bank (such as seeds from endemic species and forest species), as well as find out more about the agro-processed products produced by AMUPAL (liqueurs, jams, sweets and others).
This was followed by a moment where representatives of institutions and projects that are partners in the international exchange of Live on the Island, presented their experiences and interacted to the public.
The panel was made up of:
- Representative of the Agroforestry project, David Fonseca;
– Coordinator of the Planalto Leste Forest Perimeter, António Carlos Fortes;
– Youth Councillor of Ribeira Grande, Sheila Santos;
– Culture Councillor of Ribeira Grande, Paulo Rodrigues;
– President of AMUPAL Mrs. Josefa Sousa;
– President of SYAH Cabo Verde, Antonio Palazuelos.
It was a relaxed moment, held in the forest, and it was a moment of exchange between the young people who took part in the exchange and the local young people.
This was followed by two workshops that took place in contemporary times.
One workshop was entitled “Natural Painting” and the other “Natural Music Orchestra”
In the “Natural Painting” workshop, they painted on a white fabric canvas using natural colors and also things found in nature (plants leaves, tree crusts, branches and others). They also made “portraits” of nature which were then exhibited at the Seven Suns Seven Moons Center in Ribeira Grande for a week.
In the Natural Music Orchestra workshop, the participants performed a concert using only elements from nature as musical instruments. So leaves, branches, pine cones or anything else that could be found in nature. The concert was a very intimate moment.
Between one workshop and the next, and also to round off the day, there were various non-formal education activities to break the ice between the participants who didn’t know each other and to create a more relaxed atmosphere for the activities.
The evening concluded with an intercultural dinner in the Pedracim Village tourist area, where the participants were able to sample the delicacies of local Cape Verdean cuisine as well as traditional dances such as morna, colá sanjon, coladeira or funaná.
Eco-marathon in the coastal areas: the participants want to the northern part of the island, to the fishermen’s village of Cruzinha on the coast of the island. In collaboration with the local association, Associação Comunitária Nova Experiência Marítima da Cruzinha da Garça, the participants discover the beaches and cliffs while doing plogging to collect garbage from the coastal areas, as part of the eco-marathon activity.
Over 25 large bags of trash were collected in a few hours and the community engaged to do it periodically to keep clean all the coast, so the endogenous ecosystems are not affected by human interference.
Furthermore, they were also able to interact with the local community and fisherfolks and to take a closer look at the turtle hatchery on the beach to protect them from nests on the sand.
According to the head of this association, Rufina Delgado, all this work is done with great care and the local population helps a lot to protect and conserve them.
During their stay there, the caravan took the opportunity to interact with the local community,
talking to the residents and explaining the reasons for their presence on the island of Santo Antão. It’s important to note that this local association carries out this type of work with a group of male and female volunteers, who monitor the nests and accompany the hatching of the baby turtles, which are then placed into the sea.
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Evaluation meeting in Pemba Island
The Evaluation meeting with coordinators and some of the Youth Workers was held in Pemba Island between 12 and 19 December 2023. During the meeting the whole process was looked back on and various aspects were analysed from various perspectives: the results obtained (qualitative and quantitative wise), the process (in the team, in each partner, step by step, training, local activities), the communication and its efficiency; what went good and what went wrong in each country and in the project overall, what can be done differently if the project will be done a second time, non-formal education methods and good practices, what are the directions for future and for continuing the project.
During the meeting where held also some important meetings and study visits:
- the Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, Natural Resources and Livestock (MAINRLF), and The Ministry of Blue Economy and Fisheries Pemba where they were warmly welcomed by O/I of the related Ministries.
- field visits in selected CFP working areas including Gando for learning and exposure. The team had the opportunity to visit a solar dryer operated by the Gando community during which the participants experienced drying of a variety of spice products including cinnamon, black pepper, vanilla and cardamom.
- Participants had also an opportunity to visit the Wete District Model farm located in the Gando area where they experienced climate-smart farming for various CFP strategic crops including pineapple, vanilla, cinnamon, black pepper, banana, and passion fruit. Additionally, the visiting team was also exposed to irrigation techniques and propagation methodology
- Visit the implementation sites for more learning and exposure to the Pemba program and Gando, Njao, Kokota and Raha were chosen. During the field visit the participants had the opportunity to experience the solar dryer and district model farm at Gando facilitated by Community Forests Pemba and collaboration with the target community. The participants appreciated and praised the CFP for the good work done aimed to improve the environment and the livelihood of the Pemba community
– The participants got an opportunity to visit Ngezi Vumawimbi Nature Forest Reserve (NVNFR). The Ngezi forest has an area of 2.900 ha; is situated at the northwest corner of Pemba and represents the largest of the few remnants of the moist forest of Pemba. Since the Ngezi forest is also one of the last natural forest patches surviving in the East African Lowlands the area has high nature conservation significance. Apart from moist forest, Ngezi forest has other unique attractive ecosystems such as coral rag forest, mangrove forest, Filippia heath and freshwater ponds. The forest is adjoined by a long, clean and virgin beach commonly known as Vumawimbi-Beach that together with cultural and spiritual features forms an important tourist stop over Vumawimbi Beach and Ras Kigomasha Tower.
While in NVNFR, the visiting team were exposed to a general management system, ecological features of the forest reserve, eco-tourism, ponds/seasonal rivers, participatory natural resources management system as well as forest conservation program. Through their walk in the nature trail, the visitors had the opportunity to learn about various trees and animal species and their corresponding natural environment/ecosystem.
The visitors were well excited about the forest reserve and its surrounding environment and had leisure time while in Vumawimbi Beach. Some of them promised to come back to Pemba with the particular intention of visiting NVNFR. They also promised to be good ambassadors for the forest in their respective countries.
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