OUR ETHOS
MARINE CONSERVATION
CAN WORK IF COMMUNITIES ARE LEADING & BENEFITING
COMMUNITIES LEAD, WE SUPPORT, & TOGETHER WE CREATE EFFECTIVE RESOURCE & GOVERNANCE SYSTEMS THAT RESULT IN STRONGER & HEALTHIER PEOPLE & ECOSYSTEMS
OUR VALUES
Mwambao’s approach has been deeply grounded in our core values of equity, empowerment and stewardship, all of which guide the design and implementation of our work.
WE KEEP PROMISES
We do not overpromise. We make clear promises and keep them. We hold others accountable and encourage stakeholders to hold us accountable. As a local Tanzanian organization, we cultivate trusted long-term relationships.
WE ARE PIONEERING CHANGE
We are actively searching for and piloting socially-acceptable and environmentally-appropriate innovations and approaches to promote community-led co-management of marine resources.
EQUITY & EQUALITY
Mwambao takes a human rights-based approach, inclusive of both men and women, young and old, and places emphasis on the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups. We strive for a fair opportunity for all members of coastal communities to exercise rights in resource access, use and benefit sharing.
EMPOWERMENT
We empower local-level institutions and their members to have appropriate representation and to make informed and wise decisions over the management of their resources
THE SEA BELONGS TO EVERYONE, IT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY TO LOOK AFTER IT
Fishers
MGAO VILLAGE, MTWARA, TANZANIA
THEORY OF CHANGE
Mwambao believes that strong and effective local institutions are key to the conservation of marine resources by communities. When local communities benefit from the sustainable use of their marine resources, and can develop and enforce their own rules and governance systems, they can manage these resources with a view to conserving them for the future. Influencing government to support policy and legislation that enables community fisheries management is also important. These are the building blocks that enable communities to establish locally-managed closures and reserves, or to co-manage Marine Protected Areas with government. These are the key to the recovery and conservation of marine resources, delivering Mwambao’s long-term goal of healthy marine ecosystems and thriving coastal communities.
WHAT WE DO
We show communities what they can achieve, and the benefits their conservation efforts can yield.
We prove to communities that they have the power and skills to protect their resources and yield greater returns in a short amount of time. Wherever we can we use octopus to demonstrate what effective management…