INTRINSIC: Integrating rights and social issues in conservation

This project aims to develop and apply a flexible package of training materials to increase awareness and capacity of conservation professionals to address the social and rights-based aspects of conservation. In this way the project will improve the practice of conservation in terms of sustainability, effectiveness, equity, reputation and positive outcomes for people and nature. Contemporary practice of conservation entails working with communities and other groups of people. This requires knowledge and skills about social systems that are often not gained through conservationist professionals’ traditional academic pathways. This project will help address this crucial capacity gap. Training materials will enable trainers and practitioners to better integrate key topics related to conservation and society. These include an understanding of different stakeholders’ rights and responsibilities; the differentiated impacts of conservation on local communities; economic and other incentives for sustainable management and conservation; as well as wider issues of participation, gender and equity. Developing these skills and understanding will help organisations to meet international standards, commitments and legal obligations as well as to increase the probability that conservation initiatives will be equitable, effective and sustainable.

Conservation Impact

• Increased capacity among twenty conservation professionals from 6 African countries in their understanding and knowledge of key social and rights-based dimensions to conservation

• Greater awareness and understanding among the wider conservation community of the social and rights-based dimensions to conservation

• Elements from the training package integrated as appropriate into the projects and programmes of participating CCI organisations

• New collaborations in social and rights-based dimensions to conservation catalysed

Outputs

• A training package on ‘Social and rights-based principles in conservation’ widely available on an open access basis in print and online.  To download the complete training pack and resources please go to:    https://www.cambridgeconservation.org/resource/intrinsic-integrating-rights-and-social-issues-in-conservation-a-trainers-guide/

• Twenty conservation professionals from 6 African countries trained in key social and rights-based dimensions to conservation.