Improving equity, recognising and respecting rights, and strengthening governance are all critical foundations for the long-term sustainability of natural resource use and conservation outcomes.
Fauna & Flora’s commitment to conservation extends beyond protecting threatened habitats and wildlife. We are dedicated to respecting human rights, promoting their protection and realisation within our conservation programmes, and supporting the governance systems that can secure those rights.
Locally led conservation
Helping local people to thrive, coexist with nature and lead nature conservation in their own contexts is central to Fauna & Flora’s strategy.
Respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and involving them in design and decision-making processes leads to more positive outcomes for conservation. Active participation in conservation initiatives, in which local people genuinely have a stake, results in a greater sense of ownership and responsibility, ensuring the long-term sustainability of these interventions.
Promoting gender equality
Despite increasing evidence that gender equity strengthens governance and improves both social and conservation outcomes, women remain marginalised from most formal conservation decision-making. With funding from the UK government’s Darwin Initiative, Fauna & Flora is working in two community conservancies in Kenya, supporting both men and women to reflect on and challenge harmful gender norms.
The interconnected principles of governance, equity and human rights underpin our people-centred approach to conservation. Fauna & Flora’s team includes specialists in all three areas. They provide expert advice on a wide range of issues from gender equality to social safeguards.
Learn moreParticipants in a Participatory Markets System Development (PMSD) Workshop. Pemba, Tanzania. © Timur Jack-Kadioglu / Mwambao Coastal Community Network
Our approach to governance
Our governance work encompasses the development and capacity building of institutions and structures to promote participatory and equitable land and natural resource management. Social equity is the cornerstone of our approach, recognising that conservation success relies on enhancing local well-being, promoting fairness and inclusion of diverse voices, including from women and other marginalised community members. Human rights serve as the backbone of our commitment, ensuring our actions respect and protect the rights of individuals affected by our work, including rights to land tenure and participation in decision-making.
