After the trainings and assessments of protected areas in the WAP complex (W-Arly-Pendjari) in February 2016, the BIOPAMA programme is lending support to national and regional authorities in West Africa and is organizing two new capacity development workshops in April.

BIOPAMA was requested by the Ivorian Parks and Reserves to train their staff on the IMET (Integrated Management Effectiveness Tool). A training session will be held from 4 to 5 April and will be led by the coaches of the Regional Observatory of protected areas from Burkina Faso, Gabon and Republic of Congo. This theoretical formation will be followed by activities on the ground in the protected areas Banco, Comoé and Tai Sangbé.

In addition, the BIOPAMA programme supports the Network of Marine Protected Areas of West Africa (RAMPAO) in improving the management of the protected areas part of this network. An IMET training is scheduled in Dakar from 11 to 13 April with the participation of representatives of central administrations and conservators from 14 protected areas of Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea and Guinea Bissau. After the training, the coaches will offer local support in the four countries for the evaluation of protected areas and the development of proposals for improved management.

For more information, please contact sebastien.regnaut@iucn.org.