Increase green funding in Sikanjabuka

Nicole van wyk

The philosophy of the Namibia Environmental Investment Fund is simple. It aims to endorse activities and projects that protect and maintain the country’s natural and environmental resources for the benefit of all Namibians. In addition, the aim is to empower and improve community initiatives by giving community members full ownership of their projects.

In the Sikanjabuka Community Forest, the need and commitment to improve livelihoods by encouraging community participation is not ignored. The motivation and passion of the community members here is extraordinary. In January 2021, community members from the Sikanjabuka Community Forest planted their first seeds, harvested soon after, and began selling their crops in July 2021.

One of the Fund’s flagship projects, Empower to Adapt – Creating Climate Change Resilient Livelihoods through Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM EDA) has funded four (4) water reservoirs each containing 10,000 liters of water; the fence of the latter rehabilitated four (4) boreholes, installed a drip irrigation system provided a tractor for planting and harvesting, nets for the greenhouse, beekeeping and training equipment, including 42 boxes for bees (two boxes per beneficiary). At least 11 households benefit from these rehabilitated boreholes. In addition, these boreholes supply water to four vegetable gardens and allow the water consumption of at least 150 head of cattle. Although most of these households are headed by men, it should be noted that at least two of the 11 households are headed by women.

CBNRM EDA Project Manager Selma Shitilifa mentioned that during the application process Sikanjabuka Community Forest was one of the CBOs (community organization) that applied without a supporting entity or service provider when submitting. of their proposal. Thus, EIF had to facilitate the procurement process for them, and they appointed a project manager from their community. “We support the management of their project in collaboration with their committees. We are happy to see that the EIF can support communities and at the same time empower them to manage projects with the help of their members. Also, we are very happy to see the number of women involved in the project. This shows that a great gender mainstreaming is happening at the project level as well as at the community level and that communities are increasingly aware of climate change adaptation practices, ”said Shitilifa.

Ten women work full time in their state-of-the-art greenhouse. According to Sikanjabuka Community Forest Project Manager Innocent Ntemwa (39), they learn as much as they can when they can.

“What sets us apart is our eagerness and willingness to learn and improve our craft here. To gather knowledge and share knowledge with others, ”he said.

He says this is his first time overseeing a project of this magnitude, but he is very proud of the positive changes that have taken place so far.

“The women here are very happy to learn how to cultivate and manage different cultures, to learn new skills, but most importantly, these women feel empowered,” Ntemwa said. This project has resulted in developments within the area, such as food security, employment and skills transfer. Here they are very committed to teamwork and hold each other accountable for unfinished actions. Some of the crops currently grown here are kale, spinach, cabbage, green peppers, onions, and carrot shoots like no other.

In the future, they want to grow corn, orchids, four (4) other nurseries, fish ponds for aquaculture and other fruit trees.

Another activity they take seriously is monitoring illegal timber harvesting. Community members are committed to strict monitoring of tree felling and having the power to deal with culprits when caught. Viola Miliko, treasurer of the Sikanjabuka community forest, said community members caught harvesting illegal timber will be treated.

“When people are caught with illegal logs, they always want to be rude and avoid confrontation, but we urge people not to harvest illegally and to cooperate with us. It’s a serious crime, and it’s something we don’t take lightly here, ”she said.

These logs are confiscated and later sold to community members for firewood. In return, the money generated here is used to buy diesel or tires.

Anticipating beekeeping activity, as the bees have not yet been trapped, community members will house their bees together. While the bee house is yet to be built, these members have already received training in January 2021 and are eager to start this part of the project. (CBNRM EDA) is funded to the tune of $ 10 million by the Green Climate Fund (GCF) via Enhanced Direct Access (EDA) with the Designated National Authority (NDA) being the Ministry of Environment and Tourism .

The project is implemented by the Namibia Environmental Investment Fund (FEI), as an accredited entity to the GCF, through a Project Management Unit (PMU) for five (5) years ( 2017-2021). This project aims to ensure that local communities in CBNRM areas have reduced their vulnerability and increased their resilience to the anticipated impacts of climate change by integrating climate adaptation response strategies into local practices so that assets, resources, livelihoods and ecosystem services are protected from climate-induced risks associated with expected droughts, seasonal changes and other climatic disasters.

2021-11-04 Journalist

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