Community rights and governance

The SWM Programme aims to deepen the understanding of national laws and customary norms and the practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities by assessing the degree to which customary law is recognized in written law. Communities receive legal assistance to facilitate their participation in decision-making and to make their voices heard on issues concerning the use of their forests. The SWM Programme works with the national Government of Cameroon and policymakers to inform future forest policies.

Adaptive wildlife management

Management objectives are defined in collaboration with participating communities. Data on wildlife populations and their habitats are systematically collected, and hunting territories and hunting patterns are regularly reassessed with the active collaboration of local hunters. The data collected are used to develop conservation strategies and evaluate the effectiveness of management activities. Regular community meetings are held to review the information. The results are used to define and improve community activities and interventions in order to achieve the agreed upon management objectives.

Healthy and sustainable supply chains and consumption

The SWM Programme encourages communities to create effective systems for sustainable hunting management and to diversify their sources of income and food. It draws on the ecological knowledge of Indigenous Peoples and local communities to improve current livelihood strategies, ensuring that local governance structures remain rooted in traditional decision-making systems. The government, local communities, businesses and other stakeholders cooperate to establish resilient supply chains. Education and awareness campaigns encourage consumers and stakeholders to behave in a conservative and responsible manner. The aim is to reduce the harvesting of endangered species, stabilize game populations and improve food security and livelihoods.

Zoonotic risk prevention and management

The SWM Programme's approach to health is multidisciplinary, as it recognizes the interconnections between human, animal and environmental health. Professionals work together to prevent and reduce the risks of transmission of zoonotic diseases carried by wildlife. For high-risk and poorly understood areas in particular, the goal is to empower communities to effectively prevent, reduce and manage the risks of such diseases. Through hands-on training, communities learn strategies to protect their well-being, which improves resilience and reduces the incidence of zoonotic diseases. This integrated approach ensures comprehensive health solutions that benefit local populations and wildlife conservation efforts.