Sustainable landscapes pilot project in two communities - Papua New Guinea

This project aims to promote an innovative model for sustainable landscapes by linking community-based land-use planning with development of climate-smart land-based livelihoods and climate-smart community infrastructure. Project objectives include; 1. Development and demonstration of “sustainable livelihoods– sustainable landscapes” model in areas experiencing increased pressures on forests and land degradation; 2. Sustainable environmental, institutional and socio-economic improvements in communities with limited livelihood opportunities and lacking public services; and, 3. Good practices and learning from “sustainable livelihoods– sustainable landscapes” model incorporated into Ward, District, Provincial and National government processes. Communities, families, youth and children will be active participants in community development initiatives to ensure their interests and needs are met. The sustainable livelihoods–sustainable landscapes model enhances a community’s ability and opportunity to address both the immediate and structural causes of poverty, which greatly impacts their abilities to be resilient to changes around them, including climate change. Immediate causes of poverty are usually addressed by improving basic needs, such as clean water supply or food security. Structural causes of poverty are addressed by studying the root causes of poverty – especially imbalances in power. Only by resolving both these issues will any future improvements in communities be sustainable. Expected results/outputs to be achieved under each objective are listed below. Under Objective 1: i) Landuse management plan for Sausi community is developed, with possibility of relocating flood-prone households to higher ground); and Sogeram community's landuse plan is reviewed and updated. ii) Two detailed land maps are produced, with Sogeram/Ugalingu's boundary remapped and Sausi's area is surveyed and mapped. iii) A Sustainable Livelihoods-Sustainable Landscapes Handbook is drafted as a PNG Handbook on climate-smart agriculture. Under Objective 2: i) A project baseline database is established, needs identified and prioritized for intervention. ii) A community dendrology manual is drafted for local flora. iii) Impact of climate change on traditional seasonal calendar in Sogeram/Ugalingu and Sausi is documented. iv) Two climate-smart agriculture, food security and value-adding training/workshops, to land-based livelihoods are conducted. v) Households/families in Sogeram/Ugalingu and Sausi are supported with solar home lighting kits; and sawdust stoves. vi) One ILG (Incorporated Land Group) awareness conducted at Sogeram. Under Objective 3: i) Two meetings held with stakeholders, mainly local government authorities. ii) A project lunching workshop is conducted to introduce project stakeholders; and a final project workshop conducted to share learning with stakeholders. iii) One proposal writing workshop conducted for Ward Councilors, and a proposal submitted for funding under PNG Government's District Services Improvement Programme (DSIP). Upcoming capacity building training and workshops with target communities and subnational government administrations include planning sessions with Ward Development Committees and a Healthy Village Committee; training and cultivation of flood-tolerant taro for farmers as alternative income generation and food source for families by food crops experts attached with the provincial administration; landuse planning sessions with two target communities; and training and construction of Clean CookStoves for families. stakeholder interested in wanting to know more about this project, and/or would like to explore hos to get involved can contact the project coordinator, Stewart Serawe via email sserawe@gmail.com.