FAO has launched the new version of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme’s Legal Hub, a...

This video explains how the SWM Programme Legal Hub is contributing to national legal reform processes in over a dozen countries across multiple sectors. The Hub is a publicly accessible online platform providing comprehensive legal information on the governance of natural resources and agrifood systems at the country level.

Donata Rugarabamu, FAO Legal Counsel and Guido Acquaviva, FAO Deputy legal Counsel explain and illustrate the eight steps in the Legal Hub journey.

Read this recently published brochure to discover what the SWM Programme does in its Zambia sites.

It promotes a community conservancy model that supports local wildlife re-stocking breeding and management for improved health and income security. It applies a community-based wildlife management approach to demonstrate how community led conservation can be achieved in a degraded wildlife corridor linking Kafue National Park with neighbouring countries in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).

Found in arid, savanna environments in southern Africa, devil’s claw is recognised for its anti-inflammatory properties and is used to reduce joint pain and to improve digestion.
Read the article to know more!

A new short video is out! Watch the video to discover how Simonda Kakola, a young and dynamic farmer from Namibia’s Zambezi Region faces the tough realities of human–wildlife conflict — with elephants raiding his crops and lions threatening his livestock. His farm is located in the Kwandu ...

We are excited to announce that the first newsletter for the Congo Basin region was just published!

You will find information about the work of the SWM Programme in Central Africa: Cameroon, Gabon, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Republic of Congo.
This Newsletter will allow you to follow the progress and impact of the Programme. Read it now!

This short video summarises the progress and impact of the of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme in 15 participating countries between 2018 and 2024. The SWM Programme strengthens wildlife conservation and sustainable-use, while improving the well-being and food security of rural populations in 15 participating countries. The video highlights important updates and figures from the Programme’s Summary Report https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/a...

In Zimbabwe’s Mucheni Community Conservancy, 90 wild animals—impalas, kudus, and zebras—have been reintroduced through the EU-funded Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme. The video shows how the translocation worked closely with ZimParks, Binga Rural District Council, and local leaders. The aim is to restore ecosystems damaged by drought, poaching, and habitat loss. Beyond boosting biodiversity, the translocation will also support community-led conservation, climate resilience, and future eco-tourism opportunities

In Zambia’s Kazungula District, where livestock and wildlife share the same landscapes, tick-borne diseases can devastate cattle and farmers’ incomes. Through the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, three new spray races have been commissioned in the Mize-Lukuni Community Conservancy (MLCC), which is within the Nyawa Royal Chiefdom, to protect herds from deadly ticks. As cattle walk through, medicine is applied evenly, improving animal health, milk production and market value. Managed by local cooperatives, the spray races also create income and reduce reliance on poaching near protected areas. Healthier cattle, stronger communities and safer wildlife — building a brighter future for people and wildlife.

Watch the video and listen to Hubert Boulet, Coordinator of the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme, who presents the impact of the initiative in 15 participating countries during its first phase (2018-2024). The video highlights important updates and figures from the Programme’s Summary Report (https://openknowledge.fao.org/items/a...)

We are glad to share the latest SWM Programme publication: a useful resource meant to answer some of the most basic questions that community members might have on human–wildlife conflict (HWC), including how to prevent it, as well as information about compensation eligibility and processes for...

The SWM Programme is glad to announce the publication of a new pamphlet that provides a comprehensive summary of hunting and fishing regulations in Botswana. You will learn about various types of hunting and fishing licences, which species can be hunted or fished, by whom, where and when. This publication also provides a summary of hunting and fishing rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.

The SWM Programme is glad to announce the release of a new video: the story of Simonda Kakola, a young and dynamic farmer from Namibia’s Zambezi region who, like many others, is facing the challenges of human–wildlife conflict.

The SWM Programme is glad to announce the publication of a  new video on a precious protected species: Devil’s claw. It is the second video featuring Devil's Claw sustainable harvesting. 
In Namibia’s dry, open landscapes, this small plant plays a big role. Devil’s claw is re...

We are pleased to announce the release of the seventh issue of the  Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Community Conservancy (CC) Project newsletter covering the period from March to August 2025. This latest edition showcases the highlights of the past six months of activities in ...

This series of interviews with senior government officials and permanent Secretaries was created to showcase the work of the SWM Programme and the role of the Legal Hub in supporting ongoing policy and legislation work in participating countries, as part of national and international reform processes.
We have recently released seven videos which you can watch through the page dedicated to our Legal hub.

The SWM Programme is glad to announce the publication of a new video on a precious protected species: Devil’s claw.
In Namibia’s dry, open landscapes, this small plant plays a big role. Devil’s claw is recognized around the world for its natural health benefits, and Namibia supplies ov...

The SWM Programme is glad to announce that the Mucheni Community Conservancy (MCC) has received 90 wild animals through a wildlife translocation exercise organized by the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme in Zimbabwe with funding from the European Union.
The SWM Programme aims to restore biodiversity, support livelihoods, and strengthen community-led conservation in the region.

 

This publication gives information on the Rupununi Freshwater Turtle Management Plan, which identifies a number of proposed actions to be implemented by communities, government agencies and NGOs, with the ultimate aim of stabilizing and increasing local turtle populations.

The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme aims to support local communities reconciling the challenges of wildlife conservation with food security and development. In Madagascar, it supports local communities managing the natural resources of Makira Natural Park greenbelt through management transfer contracts, while also participating in the co-management of the protected area.