Panelistas:

• Mohammed El Bahajji (SOCO DEVI)
• Mathieu Idjawo (The Lutheranian World Foundation)
• Marie-Madeleine Gomez (CEGEP de la Gaspésie et des Iles)
• Emmanuel Ramos (Tiniguena)
• Charles Tah (Farm Radio International)

Mahoma Compartió perspectivas del proyecto Mujeres Resilientes en la región del Atlas Medio, que se centra en empoderar a las cooperativas lideradas por mujeres para que adopten e institucionalicen las SbN. Destacó la importancia de una gobernanza inclusiva para garantizar el éxito y la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de las SbN. Mohammed explicó cómo las cooperativas son fundamentales para la estrategia del proyecto, sirviendo como vehículos para la difusión del conocimiento, la participación comunitaria y el desarrollo local. Señaló:

Al integrar a las mujeres en los procesos de toma de decisiones y dotar a las cooperativas de las herramientas y la experiencia necesarias para las SbN, estamos construyendo soluciones resilientes e impulsadas por la comunidad para los desafíos climáticos.

Mateo brought attention to gender equality in NbS, particularly how it can drive climate resilience. He explained that women, who often bear the brunt of climate impacts, need to be central to governance processes for NbS to be truly effective. The Climate Resilience and Low-Carbon Economies project in the Lake Chad Basin emphasizes empowering women and improving their access to resources like land. Mathieu called for policies that prioritize gender equality in climate adaptation strategies, noting that climate financing must consider these vulnerable groups. He underscored the project’s goal of fostering equality by enabling women and marginalized groups to access vital resources and participate in governance processes.

“We want to help women because women have to be very active; they are the ones who are making decisions. For example, women don’t have access to land ownership, and we want to make sure that this changes through our project.”

María Magdalena focused on inclusive governance and the importance of engaging multiple stakeholders in NbS projects. She described how the inclusive governance model used in the project in the Caribbean has worked effectively by including all sectors of society in decision-making, from local governments to youth and women’s groups. Marie-Madeleine highlighted that successful NbS projects require a balance between local priorities and the broader policy environment, which requires close collaboration between local authorities and communities. She pointed out that the goal of inclusive governance is to ensure that no one is left behind, particularly marginalized and vulnerable groups. As she emphasized:

La gobernanza inclusiva garantiza que todas las personas, incluidas las mujeres y los grupos vulnerables, tengan voz en la gestión de los recursos naturales. Se trata de equidad, transparencia y participación activa, garantizando la protección de la biodiversidad y satisfaciendo al mismo tiempo las necesidades de las comunidades diversas.

Emmanuel discussed the co-management model used in Guinea-Bissau’s Urok Community Marine Protected Area, which involves local communities directly in managing their ecosystems. Despite political instability, Emmanuel emphasized that the co-management strategy has succeeded in preserving marine biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods. Emmanuel also noted that continuous dialogue with national authorities is essential for maintaining a balance and ensuring the protection of both biodiversity and community rights. He also stressed that ensuring local ownership and participation in governance models is crucial for the success of NbS in developing countries. He emphasized the role of local communities in managing and protecting vital ecosystems, noting the importance of women and youth in these efforts. Emmanuel stated:

Las mujeres son actores clave en la gestión de las familias, los recursos naturales y las ceremonias sagradas. Nuestra misión es fortalecer su capacidad para que puedan desempeñar un papel central en la gobernanza y la gestión de los recursos, garantizando enfoques adaptativos que equilibren las estructuras comunitarias y políticas.

Carlos focused on the role of media and public dialogue in bridging the gap between policymakers and local communities. Through Farm Radio International’s On-Air Dialogues, Charles explained how radio programs are used to gather community feedback on NbS and climate action. The dialogues aim to bring rural communities’ voices to policymakers, ensuring that NbS interventions are designed with their direct input and priorities. By using interactive radio formats, Farm Radio International facilitates dialogue that results in concrete policy recommendations, empowering communities to advocate for the funding and support they need to implement NbS effectively. Charles highlighted how listening to communities helps close the policy-implementation gap:

No podemos sobreestimar la importancia de las políticas para impulsar soluciones basadas en la naturaleza. Pero la pregunta aquí es ¿quién las formula? La mayoría de las políticas son de arriba hacia abajo y apenas incluyen a las comunidades rurales, que son las más afectadas. Farm Radio International desempeña un papel crucial movilizando y escuchando a estas comunidades, garantizando que sus voces orienten las decisiones políticas.

Conclusion

The seventh NAbSA Dialogue emphasized the critical role of policy and governance in ensuring the successful scaling and sustainability of NbS in Sub-Saharan Africa. The discussion revealed that for NbS to thrive, inclusive governance is essential, with communities—particularly women and youth—playing central roles in decision-making. Panelists also stressed the importance of local ownership and the need for financial mechanisms that directly support the people most affected by climate change. As highlighted by the speakers, effective policy frameworks must balance economic, environmental, and social considerations while ensuring that nature-based interventions are equitable, accessible, and sustainable.

This session underscored that policy reforms, inclusive governance models, and innovative communication strategies are key to unlocking the full potential of NbS in addressing climate challenges. The insights shared during the dialogue provide a roadmap for scaling up NbS in a way that benefits both people and ecosystems. For further insights and recommendations on implementing NbS through effective governance, we encourage you to listen to the full recording of the dialogue.