'Integrating Livelihood and Conservation: People Partner with Nature for Sustainability' is an extension of 3 years pilot programme that was implemented in Resunga Forest IBA from 2015-2017. In the second phase, this programme is being implemented in Resunga and Madane Forest area of Gulmi. They both are the protected forests area. Resunga Forest is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) where as Madane Forest area has been kept under potential IBA. With the financial support from DANIDA/ CISU, Bird Conservation Nepal (BCN), Nature Kenya, and Nature Uganda, in partnership with Dansk Ornitologisk Forening (DOF) are implementing a 4 years programme in three respective sites of each country.

The overall Objective of the Programme is to ‘Reduce the destruction of forested IBAs and contribute to the realization of best participatory forest management practices for the benefit of all’. The long-term objective refers to a process to improve and qualify the management of natural resources, especially forested IBAs, on which local livelihoods depend for food, fuel, etc. and for critical ecosystem services, such as water, soil conservation and reduced vulnerability to natural disasters such as landslides, and climate changes. It builds on the assumption that best practices within participatory forest management based on the genuine involvement of local women and men, government, civil society and other key stakeholders will contribute to improved livelihoods of local communities by securing access to natural resources and ecosystem services. The focus is on equitably shared benefits from participatory management practices addressing the needs of poor and marginalized people, strengthening of civil society and mainstreaming biodiversity concerns into forest management practices.

This programme is expected to achieve the following objectives during its second phase of four years (2018-2021)

·         Programme partners have capacity to work strategically with sustainable forest management and upscale learning

·         Participatory forest management contributes to improved livelihoods of poor communities, and reduce pressure on ecosystems and biodiversity

·         LCGs have capacity and popular mandate to act as independent democratic organisations for the benefit of their communities and biodiversity

·         Building sustainability and climate change resilience around forest IBAs

The last objective related to climate change was added in 2020 and necessary activities for climate adaptation and mitigation were prepared. Central aspects of the programme includes capacity enhancement of BCN on programme management, sharing of knowledge, integration of conservation, livelihoods and human well-being. Similarly, Forest management, livelihoods and biodiversity conservation with skills training and improve livelihood based on available natural resources will be consolidated. Local Conservation Groups are supported to develop their sustainability, recognition in local communities and by other stakeholders, their organizational structures, equity and transparency, networking. Furthermore, synergy effects in the programme, advocacy, organizational development, sustainability, monitoring, evaluation and reporting are also important parts of intervention.

The Programme has a number of cross-cutting concerns which are particularly important for reaching its expected result. These include gender, equity and indigenous peoples. There is also an added focus on climate and resilience.