The COMPASS Vision 
  background & history 
general perspectives and goals 
proposed structures 
 
 		  
 
 
  where we have come from 

 

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1996 Recognizing the importance of addressing environmental problems, the  
  • Government of Malawi approved a comprehensive national environmental policy that places emphasis on the management of natural resources by communities. 
  • President of Malawi signed into law the nation's first national Environmental Management Act that, among other things, provides the requisite architecture for an on-going program of sectoral policy, institutional and legislative reform in favor of the environment. 
  • Environmental Affairs Department initiates the "National Environmental Action Plan"
  
1997 National CBNRM strategy proposed by USAID - produced a "Results Framework" that outlines elements of a strategy for mobilizing communities into effectively managing natural resources.   
2000 CBNRM Coordinating Body established. The CBNRM Working Group of the National Council for the Environment met for the first time in March 2000. In May 2001 the Group held the First National Conference on CBNRM in Malawi.  
 		  
 
Today in Malawi, CBNRM initiatives are being supported by a variety of donor organizations, several key government agencies and numerous local and international NGOs. Despite an apparent absence of formal coordination of all these diverse efforts, there has been significant progress in sharing information and resources among many of the key players. Nevertheless, much remains to be accomplished. 

Lack of coordination, cooperation and collaboration among implementing agencies is common worldwide but experience has shown that local institutions hold the key to sustaining the impact of development efforts. Moreover, it is critical to recognize that local capacity building is often a lengthy process that involves changing perception about whose responsibility it is to do the work necessary to improve stewardship of natural resources. A successful CBNRM activity involves inspiring confidence in the process, seeing extension agents and NGOs play a service role, seeing tangible monetary benefits, and having the ability to make choices concerning the use of resources. There must be a process to help communities examine their internal make-up and the differences among groups within the community. This involves the following: 

  • determining what is ecologically sustainable and achieving improved management of resources as well as economic growth; 
  • helping communities distribute the proceeds of their work equitably; 
  • building NGOs that can support communities in their efforts to undertake CBNRM; and 
  • helping all Malawians benefit from environmentally sound and sustainable management of their natural resources. 
In essence, the last of these is the ultimate goal of COMPASS and the DAI/DMA Team is committed to achieving results that will accomplish this and meet USAID/Malawi's strategic objective for the environment.
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