The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme is an international initiative that aims to improve the conservation and sustainable use of wildlife in forest, savannah, and wetland ecosystems. It contributes to improving the living conditions of Indigenous Peoples and local communities who depend directly on wildlife, and to reducing the zoonotic risks associated with this use. Field projects are currently being piloted and teste with governments, national partners and communities in 16 countries.
The challenge
Millions of people depend on wild meat for food and income, particularly Indigenous Peoples and local communities in tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa and Asia-Pacific. However, unsustainable levels of hunting are endangering wildlife populations. Currently, around 300 mammal species are at risk of extinction because of hunting for wild meat. The loss of wildlife populations not only impacts ecosystems but also threatens the food security of many poor rural communities.
Our approach
The SWM Programme blends science, traditional knowledge, community rights, and innovation to empower Indigenous Peoples and local communities in natural resource management. Our region-specific goals include:
- Tropical forests (e.g. Congo Basin): Sustainably managing hunting and wild meat demand, while diversifying alternative protein sources and income.
- Savannah lands (e.g. Southern Africa): Ensuring sustainable and legal wildlife use, and reducing human-wildlife conflict.
- Wetlands (e.g. Sahel): Conserving wetland resources for migratory birds through the RESSOURCE+ project.
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Our impact
Wildlife
Introducing sustainable wildlife management practices in 9 000 km² of forest, 44 000 km² of savannah and in 122 Sahelian wetlands.
Communities
Working with over 80 communities in 16 countries on a wide diversity of food security and nature-based livelihood projects.
Legal
Triggering and informing legal reform processes in eight countries and providing access to statutory and customary law in over a dozen countries.
International policy
By addressing the important links between biodiversity, food, agriculture and health, and through its scaling up efforts, the SWM Programme is directly contributing to multiple Sustainable Development Goals. The SWM Programme also contributes to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and the implementation of the African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbird Agreement (AEWA).
Global partnership
The SWM Programme is one of the largest European Union-funded biodiversity programmes and contributes to the European Global Gateway and NatureAfrica initiative. The SWM Programme also receives important co-funding and support from the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) and the French Development Agency (AFD).
The SWM Programme is being implemented by a dynamic consortium of partners working together with governments and local communities. The consortium includes the:
- Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)
- French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD)
- Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF)
- Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)
News
Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme expands in Asia-Pacific - New regional project starting in Lao PDR will help boost zoonotic disease prevention
11/11/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today launched a new Asia-Pacific project in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic...
New publication out: The legal game meat sector in Zambia
04/10/2024
This Brochure gives an overview of Zambia’s legal game meat sector.
Reducing human-wildlife conflict and improving coexistence
08/07/2024
Human-wildlife conflict and coexistence (HWCC) is an increasingly critical issue for conservation and rural communities.
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Happy Biodiversity Day!
22/05/2024
Join us in celebrating the International Day for Biological Diversity by exploring the remarkable biodiversity conservation efforts made by the Sustainable...
Happy World's Migratory Birds Day!
11/05/2024
World's Migratory Bird Day is an annual awareness-raising campaign highlighting the need for the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats.
Supported by
Consortium partners
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