Co-design, knowledge, engagement & monitoring in Madagascar
Co-design, knowledge, engagement & monitoring in Madagascar
Our Objective
Building the governance structures and knowledge base needed to turn a shared vision for the Mahalevona Valley into coordinated action—convening local communities, government, research partners, and civil society to co-design land use solutions, strengthen accountability, and support locally led stewardship of this exceptional landscape.
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The project was launched on March 17, 2022 and is currently in progress.
Summary
In the Mahalevona Valley in north-eastern Madagascar, a shared vision for sustainable land use has been developed with local communities and partners. This project is now focused on turning that vision into practice by strengthening the coalition for change—the network of local, regional, and national actors who coordinate action, share knowledge, and align their efforts around agreed priorities.
At the center of the coalition's work is the co-design of a territorial land use plan (Plan d'aménagement local) that directly addresses land conflicts, clarifies access rights, and helps reduce deforestation pressure on the Masoala National Park buffer zone. The customary rules framework known as DINA, co-developed with community members and local authorities, is one of the key instruments for establishing locally grounded land governance.
Alongside the governance work, the project gathers and shares social, ecological, geospatial, and technical knowledge to ensure that decisions are evidence-based and reflect the priorities of those most affected. A continuous monitoring, evaluation, and learning cycle supports adaptive management across the Solutionscape, showing how stakeholder relationships and governance capacity develop over time. The aim is not simply to produce plans and data, but to build the capacity and confidence for communities to lead lasting change on their own terms.
Project Connections
Part of the solutionscape
Building environmental justice in a remote global biodiversity hotspot
Timeline
Gaining Momentum in Madagascar
Project Update April 7, 2024
Our Coalition for Change is gaining momentum in Madagascar. Over the past year, the Wyss Academy has been working diligently on co-designing our Solutionscape, bringing together key stakeholders and hosting several events focused on establishing a shared vision for the Mahalevona Valley. This region comprises five villages: Ankovana, Fizono, Antanambao, Mahalevona, and Masindrano. Through meetings and workshops, diverse groups of stakeholders and local partners have utilized scientific evidence and valuable local knowledge to explore pathways for transformation and share ideas on addressing current social and environmental challenges. Madagascar is renowned as one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots, yet it is threatened by deforestation. Despite challenges, the collective efforts of stakeholders represent a promising step towards sustainable development in the Mahalevona Valley. Our local network and efforts for positive change continue to grow, with village visions gaining endorsement from local authorities. At the same time, collaborations with partners are thriving, and new valuable research contributions are being made on topics such as deforestation agents, soil values, basic incomes for conservation, and transformation pathways.
Beyond education, stakeholder collaboration is key
Project Update March 17, 2022
Team
- Project contact
Project contact
Dr. Ntsiva Andriatsitohaina
Associated Senior Researcher
Maëlle Andriambalohary
Project Officer–maelle.andriambalohary@fullcircle-initiative.orgDavidson Andrianasolo
Communication Officer–davidson.andrianasolo@fullcircle-initiative.org
