This presentation by Andrew Kingman was delivered at the 'Concessioning tourism opportunities in conservation areas and maximising rural development' workshop, held in Maputo between 19-22 March 2012 (Day 2, Session 6, Integrating sustainability)

1. Introduction to MICAIA
Concessions and sustainability in MICAIA is a hybrid organization consisting of an operating
MICAIA
Chimanimani: NDZOU Camp & MICAIA
foundation (Fundação MICAIA) and a social enterprise (Eco-
MICAIA Ltd).
MICAIA’s purpose is to enable people to prosper in strong local
economies and healthy vibrant communities
Fundação MICAIA has a set of long-term programmes including
work on land use planning and conservation, sustainable
agriculture, and local economic development
Eco-MICAIA provides business development services and
investment in areas of tourism and natural products
MICAIA started work in early 2008
Presentation by Andrew Kingman, Eco-MICAIA Ltd MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Chimanimani
TFCA Moribane Forest
• Moribane Forest Reserve is an area of 120 sq km
stretching from the Sussundenga – Dombe road towards
Chimanimani
National the mountains and border
Reserve • The Forest is home to a large population of elephants, a
625 km2 range of smaller game, and a large variety of birds
Buffer Zone • Moribane has long been studied for its rich diversity of
1740 km2 flora including many rare and indigenous species
• The history and rich socio-cultural heritage of the area add
to its potential for visitors
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Moribane: the need for Moribane: the need for
sustainable livelihoods sustainable livelihoods
• Moribane Forest
Reserve is under
threat – banana
plantations, illegal
logging, the spread
of settlement
• The growing
numbers of
elephants damage
farms and homes,
increasing conflict
with people
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world

2. NDZOU CAMP
NDZOU Principal Features:
CAMP • Joint venture development
involving the Mpunga community
(60%) and Eco-MICAIA Ltd
(40%)
• Situated in Moribane Forest on a
5.5ha site allocated by the
community (who have DUAT)
• 18 beds in 4 rondavels, a 3-
bedroom family lodge and 2 fixed
tents + prepared & serviced
campsites (ablution block,
cooking areas)
• Restaurant and bar serving
creative locally inspired dishes
making the most of seasonal
produce MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Sustainability requirements Sustainability requirements 2
Starting point: the development took place in the context of the draft Moribane/Mpunga: Fundação MICAIA (with funding from iTC)
Management Plan for the Chimanimani TFCA – this stresses the facilitated the CAP process over more than six months. By the time
need for creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for business planning started there was solid local ownership
communities in the buffer zone The external review process (led by ECI) and guidelines stressed
All communities within the TFCA should have a Community Action key features of sustainability:
Plan i.e. the output of a participatory asset mapping and planning Core business case – market, product offer, capacity
process. Environmental impact
Social impact – job creation, skills development, procurement
If done well, these CAPs can provide a) local ownership of any new NDZOU Camp scored highly on:
development; b) guidance to investors/partners about local Eco-design, waste management plans, and use of alternative energy
resources (social-cultural, natural, human, institutional); c) a Social impact – most jobs local, commitment to local procurement
guarantee that there is widespread local support for and knowledge Business model – equity of 60% for community
of possible developments Core business case – detailed market analysis and segmentation
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Sustainability initiatives:
Sustainability initiatives
forest conservation
NDZOU Camp is a growing business but it remains just one feature A priority for all partners has been direct action on conservation of
of a steadily diversifying local economy in the Moribane area. the Moribane Forest. In the last year, actions have included:
There is an effective partnership between the community of Planting and landscaping within the Camp grounds
Mpunga, NDZOU Camp, Eco-MICAIA Ltd and Fundação MICAIA. Establishing a tree seedling nursery (MF+NDZOU Camp)
Each partner is involved in initiatives to promote sustainability
Planting 1,000s of trees (community + MF)
Sustainability initiatives cover:
Training Community Forest Rangers (MF)
Direct environmental work within and around the Camp
Further work on zoning, creating new community agreed limits on
Investment in local capacity building processes settlement and agriculture areas (MF)
Investment in local supply chain Preparing detailed information about the biodiversity of the Forest –
creating the Moribane Forest Learning Centre (MF)
Marketing and business development processes
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world

3. Sustainability initiatives:
local capacity building
Training community forest rangers and awarding certificates
Capacity building is a process, not an event: sustainability requires a
commitment to continuing investment in building local capacity. In
the last year actions have included:
Staff training (formal and informal) - NDZOU Camp
Direct involvement via a Finance Committee of members of the Mpunga
association in running NDZOU Camp (monitoring financial reports etc)
Forest Nursery Participating & learning with the community Training of the Association and Natural Resource Management
Committee (MF)
Regular meetings with the Association, presenting financial information
and involving the community in decision-making processes
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Sustainability initiatives: Sustainability initiatives:
Investing in the local economy building the local business
NDZOU Camp on its own will not convince the people of Mpunga to If the business fails in its core role (making money by attracting
stop expanding their banana and maize plantations. Tourism is one visitors) the associated initiatives are irrelevant. For NDZOU Camp,
livelihood opportunity, but the community needs more. In the last far from the beach, this means ensuring a balance between local
year, efforts to diversity the economy have included : and fully ‘tourist’ business. In the last year Eco-MICAIA’s work has
Construction of a fruit and forest products drying factory – due to open included:
in July 2012 with a capacity of 40Kg dried produce/day (Eco-M+MF) Locally focused marketing with special events
Increase in local procurement and support for local fresh produce and promotions (Valentine Weekend, the
marketing association (NDZOU Camp + MF) Moribane Music Festival etc)
Expansion of beekeeping in the area, including a beehive fence (MF) Targeted marketing of NDZOU as a small
conference venue
Work with local crafts people eg potters (NDZOU Camp)
Building the reputation of the restaurant to
create a regular drop-in trade
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world
Lessons learned
In our context the relationship between NDZOU Camp and the
community is central - taking time to communicate; address
problems together; being honest about all aspects of the business.
The result: a community that cares about and is proud of NDZOU Camp – that
feels it can drop in and buy a drink
The challenge: maintaining this level of engagement
Build a local market if possible – NDZOU Camp is part of not only
Mpunga, but Sussundenga and Manica Province….
Build alliances and partnerships with NGOs and others that can
help diversify the local economy and build capacity for sustainability
MICAIA – Working for local prosperity in a sustainable world