MangAction – Preservation and Enhancement of Environmental Heritage for Sustainable and Resilient Development in Maputo Bay was implemented by ICEI in partnership with WeWorld, Natura Mozambique, ABIODES, AOTUKA and IUCN Mozambique, under the ManGrowth initiative, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation.
MangAction addressed the challenges of mangrove degradation in Maputo Bay through an integrated approach combining environmental conservation, livelihood improvement, sustainable tourism, environmental education and strengthened participatory governance.
As consortium coordinator, ICEI ensured the project’s technical and strategic coordination while leading the implementation of several key components. The project promoted income-generating activities compatible with ecosystem conservation through the adoption of climate-resilient agroecological practices and support for sustainable fisheries, aquaculture and responsible tourism, with a cross-cutting focus on gender equality and social inclusion. On Inhaca Island, the project also supported the capacity building of tourism operators and local tour guides, as well as the development of community-based tourism products to enhance the island’s natural and cultural heritage.
In the field of environmental conservation, the project strengthened the role of local communities in mangrove management through the establishment and capacity building of community-based associations, the implementation of mangrove restoration activities, and the promotion of environmental education in schools alongside interventions in museums. At the institutional level, it fostered coordination platforms bringing together public institutions, universities, civil society organisations and local communities, supporting the development of strategic management tools, scientific knowledge and technical capacities for a more participatory management of coastal ecosystems.
More than restoring mangroves, MangAction has left a legacy of knowledge, cooperation and local capacities that will continue to support the conservation and sustainable development of Maputo Bay.
MangAction sought to demonstrate that mangrove conservation and community development can go hand in hand. To achieve this, the project worked closely with partners, public institutions and local communities to promote solutions that combined environmental conservation, livelihood improvement and strengthened participatory governance.
Through an integrated approach, the project promoted more sustainable agricultural practices, economic alternatives compatible with ecosystem conservation, responsible tourism, environmental education and greater community participation in mangrove management. At the same time, it strengthened cooperation among institutions and supported the development of knowledge and management tools to ensure more effective and long-lasting conservation of Maputo Bay.
The intervention will directly benefit an estimated number of at least 4,913 people, of which approximately 52% women (2,562 women) and 48% men (2,351), in particular 502 beneficiaries in the 6-12 age group, 1,744 belonging to the 13.29 age group and 2,665 belonging to the over 30 age group.
Project activities
Throughout the project, ICEI coordinated the implementation of an integrated approach that combined environmental conservation with local development, working in close collaboration with consortium partners, public institutions and local communities.
The project promoted responsible tourism as a tool for enhancing the natural and cultural heritage of Inhaca Island by training tourism professionals, particularly local tour guides, supporting the development of new community-based tourism products, carrying out participatory mapping of the island's natural and cultural heritage, and developing the Inhaca Island Interpretive Plan.
The project also supported the installation of interpretive panels, the development of scientific and tourism communication tools, and interventions in museums, bringing communities closer to the knowledge generated while strengthening the appreciation of local heritage.
It also strengthened the role of local communities in mangrove management through the legalisation and capacity building of community-based associations and the implementation of mangrove restoration activities.
At the institutional level, the project promoted dialogue among public institutions, universities, civil society organisations and local communities, supporting the development of strategic planning tools, the generation of scientific knowledge, the strengthening of technical capacities and the organisation of international exchange initiatives.