Strengthening Local Communities’ Capacities: A Pillar of Environmental Protection 

Since 2022, Planète Urgence has been implementing the Mosotry project in the Analalava region of Madagascar. Its objectives: to preserve forests, mangroves, and aquatic resources and to protect local communities. Mangroves – essential for shielding coastlines from erosion and providing habitat for numerous marine species – and forests are facing overexploitation due to agricultural expansion, and wood is increasingly used for fuel and construction. Additionally, food insecurity, worsened by climate change effects, leads to overfishing and illegal fishing, jeopardising resources and fishermen’s livelihoods. To address this situation, Planète Urgence teams have prioritised training, community awareness, and knowledge-sharing, helping local communities become fully engaged in protecting natural environments.

Forests play a vital role in climate regulation. According to Global Forest Watch, Madagascar has lost approximately 21% of its forest cover since 2000, making it one of the most deforested countries in terms of area. A disaster whose consequences are felt by the people of Madagascar, where drought episodes are increasing, leading to a rise in disease and famine. The need for mass replanting is greater than ever. 
 
Nurseries – where plants are grown to be replanted – are the first step toward greener, more fertile lands. For the 2023-2024 reforestation campaign in Madagascar, Planète Urgence trained local nursery operators. Upon completing their training, these nursery operators received material support, including wheelbarrows, watering cans, sprayers, and various tools. The training concluded with a ceremony attended by local authorities, celebrating the distribution of this equipment. Thanks to their work, 32,000 seedlings could be planted. 
 
“To create a long-term impact, newly trained nursery operators will train local association members, strengthening community involvement at all levels of reforestation. Eventually, we aim to withdraw from the region without worrying that skills will be lost.” explains the  Project Manager for Mosotry at Planète Urgence.

Numerous studies and international reports highlight the importance of raising awareness about environmental preservation. Therefore, the local teams of Planète Urgence work closely with the educational community in Analalava to promote awareness from a young age. 
 
As part of a comprehensive approach to strengthening the link between education, the environment, and local development, this collaboration has been ongoing since 2022 and continues in 2024, including distributing school supplies, training teachers to incorporate environmental modules, and establishing school gardens.

Through this partnership, children gain essential knowledge about nature and adopt environmentally respectful behaviours in their daily lives. An educationally valuable module, as they share this knowledge and eco-friendly practices within their families, potentially inspiring their community – and perhaps even future environmental advocates. 
 
In regions particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate disruption, environmental protection goes hand in hand with improving the lives of local communities. In Madagascar, as in all its intervention countries, Planète Urgence is committed to co-constructing each project with local populations. Only through mutual sharing of knowledge, skills, experiences, and expertise can ambitious and lasting projects be achieved, commensurate with today’s environmental challenges.