The National Marine Sanctuary International Program of NOAA helps strengthen global marine resources protection in the U.S.A. and internationally. Through international partnerships, the Program helps build better technical and management capacity in MPAs. It has developed specific curricula and training programs for MPA managers, focusing on MPA designation, implementation and management. WWF Mediterranean partners with NOAA to benefit from this technical know-how and expertise. The MedPAN South Project thereby also gains from the experiences of other developing or developed nations, who may have a longer history of MPA management.
Capacity Building
Objective
Only 10% of MPAs in the south and east of the Mediterranean consider that their staff is sufficiently trained to effectively manage their sites. Many of these countries are in the process of establishing MPAs so there is an increasing need to enhance the capacity of MPA managers and lead staff to plan the management within their MPAs and be able to proactively address major costal and marine issues.The Capacity Building Programme of the MedPAN South Project addresses this need. It aims to strengthen the capacity and skills of MPA managers, lead staff, practitioners and officials of relevant authorities/institutions in project countries by providing them with the tools and know-how needed to improve the daily management of the MPAs in their country.
The Capacity Building Programme of the MedPAN South Project is unique in the Mediterranean in terms of scope and importance. It is implemented by WWF Mediterranean in collaboration with UNEP MAP RAC/SPA and with the technical support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
MPA practionners in training
The CB programme is implemented with the technical support of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and in collaboration with UNEP-MAP RAC/SPA.
How We Work
MEDPAN SOUTH CAPACITY PROCESS
Highlights
- In 2009-2010, WWF Mediterranean and partners contributed to the building of the capacities and skills of more than 200 MPA managers, practitioners and offi cials of relevant institutions in the target countries through a series of training workshops organised both at regional and national levels (in the framework of the pilot projects)
- In early 2009, the Mentor Programme was offi cially launched involving 12 Mentors from the relevant authorities for MPAs in 11 of the countries concerned. This is the fi rst step in the process of creating a professional network of trainers, which will ensure the sustainability of the Capacity Building Programme beyond the duration of the project.
- In early 2009, an extensive capacity building and expertise assessment for MPAs managers and practitioners was conducted for the fi rst time in the 12 countries of the south and east of the Mediterranean
- Innovative and fully interactive training courses on MPA management planning and planning for sustainable fi sheries in MPAs were organised in Tunisia (2009) and Turkey (2010) for MPA managers, practitioners and offi cials of relevant institutions and authorities from the countries of the project
- Comprehensive training manuals on MPA management planning and planning for sustainable fi sheries in MPAs - adapted to the Mediterranean context – were developed and made available to the participants of the training workshops
- An extensive system of technical assistance was established and implemented to support MPA managers and other target audiences in putting into practice the knowledge and tools acquired during the training workshops
- Networking of and experience sharing among MPA managers and offi cials of relevant institutions in the region (north-south and east-west) were ensured through the organisation of a series of tailored exchange visits
- An MPA experts and expertise database was established and is accessible online on the MedPAN website (experts.medpan.org)
- Ongoing evaluation of the Capacity Building Programme is ensured to enhance the tangible results achieved in the field and ensure effective adaptive management.
200 MPAs trained
Next steps 2011-2012
In 2011, a study will be launched in collaboration with the MedPAN organisation,
RAC/SPA and other key partners, to design a long-term capacity building strategy
to enhance the management of MPAs in the Mediterranean. The study will:
RAC/SPA and other key partners, to design a long-term capacity building strategy
to enhance the management of MPAs in the Mediterranean. The study will:
- Assess the existing capacity building needs for MPA management in the whole
- Mediterranean
- Identify the most feasible long-term capacity building delivery mechanism to enhance the capacity of MPA managers in the Mediterranean
- Define a strategy for the establishment of the capacity building deliverymechanism, including resources needed and timeline.