Biodiversity Conservation Awareness

     I.        Context
The GREEN project aims to strengthen the resilience of the Phongsaly’s population in order to favor the sustainable development of the territory. The natural resources Phongsaly province’s natural resources are preserved and managed for relocalized sustainable and inclusive economic development. Forest Resources are better managed and protected contributing to climate mitigation.

A4.3: Creation of community hunting management exchange activities in villages near the Phou Dene Dine National Protected Area.

The Villages located in biodiversity hotspots always report hunting for consumption or sale (including by outsiders) inside the protected area, which has led to a decline in the number of animal species and individuals in recent years. An exchange visit to other villages facing similar problems, and which have been supported by other organizations, will enable village leaders, in particular members of the Village Forest Units, to learn from them and make informed decisions about the management of their resources.

Rural communities often serve as the frontline guardians of biodiversity and natural ecosystems, yet may lack comprehensive understanding of environmental conservation principles and sustainable practices. This project aims to bridge knowledge gaps through targeted awareness-raising sessions that empower village communities to become active participants in biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.

The project also aims to establish village biodiversity conservation committees in the targeted villages. So far, in these villages, villagers have been involved in biodiversity monitoring and in discussions and consultations with the project team to consider activities and actions to improve biodiversity conservation while enabling the maintenance and development of community livelihoods.

Through the recruitment of a consultant, the objective is to set up participatory awareness-raising activities in villages to strengthen their knowledge but also their reflection on the avenues of village actions to be put in place to strengthen the conservation of the biodiversity present on their land.
Scope of the consultancy
Raise awareness on biodiversity and environment impact, the village communities are critical stakeholders in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection yet often lack access to comprehensive environmental education and awareness programs. This consultancy aims to bridge this knowledge gap by developing and implementing targeted awareness-raising sessions that will empower rural communities to become active participants in environmental conservation and sustainable development initiatives.
    II.        Objectives & outputs for the consultancy
2.1.        Overall objectives of the consultancy
Ensure the villagers in the targeted villages understand the important messages on biodiversity and environment through a participatory awareness raising or a show activity that involves villages authorities, villagers with men and women, includes youth from local schools. And link this awareness raising to solutions emphasized by the project.
2.2.        Specific objectives and expected outputs
Specific objective: Conduct a show awareness at village level
This awareness raising activity will involve the identified 5 villages in Phongsaly district, which villages near Phou Dene Dine National Protected Area that have expressed the need to improve their situation on biodiversity and environment issues.

This awareness raising activity will take one day per village and will include:

• The magic and clowning show prepared by the consultant
• Discussion with villagers about solutions they want to implement and the support they need.
• The activity triggers participatory discussions at the village level, leading to action on biodiversity through the development of a village action plan and the formation of a designated committee.

Output:

The villagers are aware of the biodiversity and environment issue and have made a decision about the solution they want to implement.

At least 250 villagers in total of five villages (including 50% of women and 30% of young adult under 25-year-old) have participated to the awareness raising activities implemented.

For more description about methodology and timeframe go through the ToR attached.