TFCA Network Symposium 2016: Technical Report & Record

In September 2013, a learning and innovation network was set up under the auspices of SADC as per Component 4 of the SADC TFCA Programme (2013). The programme promotes the establishment and development of transfrontier conservation areas (TFCAs) as a conservation and development model across the region and component 4 specifically envisions the establishment of an information exchange, learning and innovation network to facilitate the gathering, processing and dissemination of TFCA related information to stakeholders. By May 2016, this network had over 200 members from a range of stakeholder groups including governmental (PA) management agencies, NGOs, International Cooperating Partners (ICPs), private sector representatives and academia from the SADC countries and further abroad. The primary purpose of the network as determined by members is, “to overcome TFCA challenges through shared learning, knowledge management and collaboration”. A Steering Committee comprising TFCA focal points from the SADC Member States and SADC Secretariat guide activities of the network which to date have included face to face meetings, development of an online information exchange platform (portal), representation at the IUCN World Parks Congress, development of several sets of guidelines and establishment of several Communities of Practise on specific topics.

This Symposium was conceived as medium to share lessons learned from the SADC region and further afield on the diversity of models that exist to govern and support the management and development of PAs, which form the core of TFCAs. Initial discussions on the value of such a platform for engagement
began as early as 2013 between Panthera and Frankfurt Zoological Society (FZS). In time, other organisations such as Peace Parks Foundation (PPF) and GIZ (as facilitator of the network through the Transboundary Use and Protection of Natural Resources programme with SADC) became involved. Under the guidance of the Network Steering Committee, the current theme of the Symposium “Conservation, Collaboration and Management Support”, was agreed based on the need to identify functional models of co-management, while broadening the scope to include community conservation areas, and thereafter develop a regional framework that would be practical, useable and implementable. Further support for the Symposium was attained through IUCN Biodiversity and Protected Areas Management Programme (BIOPAMA) and African Wildlife Foundation (AWF). The Symposium was held in Gaborone, Botswana from 4-6
July 2016 and hailed participants from SADC Member States, conservation agencies, traditional leadership, ICPs, NGOs, and private sector from the region and beyond.

Specific objectives of the Symposium were to:
1. Understand the different models for collaborative management support being applied in PAs within
SADC TFCAs (and elsewhere in Africa), including the design of these models;
2. Explore the roles & responsibilities of different parties engaged in these models.
3. Identify mechanisms to manage expectations of & benefits to the parties engaging in collaborative
management support projects.
4. Determine if these models have mechanisms to measure their effectiveness & build resilience of
these arrangements.
5. Determine the contribution of these arrangements to achieving national, regional & international
obligations.
6. Highlight lessons learned & provide recommendations that can assist parties (government, communities,
NGOs, private sector partners & ICPs) wishing to engage in collaborative management
support projects.