Comred

18/11/2024

As the global community gathers at to coordinate , we turn our focus to Kenya’s coastal communities who are leading the charge by restoring and protecting the environment through an innovative model, eco-credit.

Eco-credit provides accessible and convenient financial services to coastal communities at the village level, presenting endless opportunities to its beneficiaries, including paying school fees for their children, meeting healthcare needs, and investing in diversified livelihood ventures, on condition they continue to participate in conservation activities, such as mangrove planting, mangrove patrols, beach clean-ups, and advocating for environmental within their villages.

Watch their journey and learn how they are using this loaning scheme to enhance environmental stewardship, build climate resilient communities, address gender equity and elevate livelihoods while answering global climate actions.

As they pave the way on the frontline, we hope COP29 delivers adequate and accessible climate finance to these local climate champions.

https://youtu.be/2ZwMgFgxp1M?si=0yRXltHZ2Ni5Q9Yc

Blue Ventures Norad

Nearly 4 million Kenya's coastal inhabitants rely on marine resources for their livelihoods and food. However, these resources have come under threat by habi...

22/10/2024

In the quiet fishing community of Jimbo, Mwambwiza Tuweni stands out from the hustle and bustle of daily life. Despite losing his sight in 2023, Tuweni's passion & commitment to sustainable fishing and marine conservation remains unwavering.

Read about his inspirational journey from a dedicated fish catch data collector to a leader and mentor.


Blue Ventures Norad Wildlife Conservation Society GEF Small Grants Programme

27/09/2024

Spotlighting climate champions!

Rajab Bidu is a Community-Based Trainer for the eco-credit initiative, which provides convenient loans to unbanked and underbanked individuals while incentivizing conservation efforts. For Bidu and other eco-credit beneficiaries, being a climate champion means educating others about the rich marine biodiversity around them, planting mangroves, patrolling and promoting sustainable ways to harness resources through ventures such as bee keeping which protect and help reduce pressure on marine resources.

Learn how community stewardship, combined with financial inclusion, is transforming the lives of coastal communities and marine conservation efforts in Kenya.

Full video: https://youtu.be/-xCx6HYvLhI?si=JAsa-LGHdhKrXB_z


Blue Ventures Norad

18/09/2024

What does community-led conservation mean to us?

is Fisher communities empowered to develop conservation measures and effectively manage them for people and the environment.
In Kenya, Munje community has made headlines on establishing the first successful octopus closure in Kenya’s South Coast and becoming a model for neighboring villages.

However, the road to this achievement wasn't smooth. Their initial attempt to establish the closure in 2014 failed due to poor leadership, and weak enforcement of closure rules. Undeterred, the community tried again in 2021 with support from Comred and Blue Ventures
In August 2023, they marked their first successful closure and harvest period. They have since marked three successful harvests, that earned over 3000USD from sale of octopus and eco-tourism fees. The closure is currently on its fourth closure period.

In this video, the community shares their journey, the lessons they’ve learned and the significant impacts it has had on their fishing outcomes. Closures are important in allowing habitat regeneration, increasing climate resilience of marine environments.

(This is just one of the many life-changing stories we will be sharing at . See you there!)

Norad WorldFish Segal Family Foundation The Skoll Foundation

16/09/2024

21Km on 21st September: Join the !

We will be participating in this half marathon in support of the Munje Marine Rangers.
These 14 rangers are the unsung heroes, on the frontline of protecting 40 hectares of the marine environment and ensuring the success of a seasonal octopus fishery closure in their community. Their efforts have generated income for their local administration through octopus sales and eco-tourism fees, a testament to the vital role of in preserving and for future generations.

Help us support their mission by raising funds to build a watch tower, operational base, and acquire essential patrol gear to keep their operations strong.

To donate & learn more about the rangers: https://mediafornature.org/2024/09/07/munjes-octopus-closure-a-beacon-of-hope-and-employment-during-covid-19/

09/09/2024

Kenya’s population is approximately 50 million with over 60% under 35 years. Yet, youth unemployment is at a staggering 35% compared to the overall national rate of 12%, while our fisheries sector is only tapping into 30% of its potential.

Dive into our latest blog and discover how investing in youth leadership can reshape the future of small-scale fisheries, boost the economy and how youths are transforming their communities and driving sustainable change in the blue economy.

Blog: https://www.comred.or.ke/post/why-youths-matter-in-bmu-leadership

Blue Ventures Norad

06/09/2024

🎯 Strategic goal surpassed!

We have just onboarded 6 new fish catch data collectors from Wesa - Kilifi County, Funzi, and Mkunguni Beach Management Units in Kwale County, bringing the number of BMUs we work with in catch data collection to 12 and our community-based workforce to an impressive 71.

This milestone pushes us beyond our initial goal of collaborating with 11 communities on fisheries resource monitoring and using data for decision-making by 2024.

The training workshop was a huge success, featuring sessions on paper-based data collection, using KoboToolbox for digital data collection, and peer-to-peer learning through video and a field trip where trainees had the chance to see seasoned data collectors in action.

We are excited to see these new data collectors comprised of 3 fishermen, 2 women and 1 fish dealer grow and contribute to the future of fisheries management.

Blue Ventures Norad

03/09/2024

Exciting News!

We have just published the Comred Mentorship Guide 2024 - your go-to resource for conducting effective community capacity building and mentoring for coastal and marine resource governance from the ground up!
Packed with practical tips, proven strategies, and inspiring stories from our work with Kenya's coastal communities, this comprehensive guide is designed to supercharge your efforts.

Whether you’re a seasoned community leader or just embarking on your conservation journey, this guide is crafted to empower you every step of the way.

This success is a product of the collaboration between Comred and Blue Ventures.

Discover the guide:https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/6473831a6fc6bf5f6fcfe22a/66cb081b7f38222fa87266d2_COMRED%20mentorship%20guide%20-2024%201_compressed.pdf

21/08/2024

Milestone update!

We’re ecstatic to announce the 3rd successful opening of the Munje octopus fishery closure, which was full of exciting firsts:

The unveiling of the brand-new Munje Beach Management Unit patrol boat, with support from Blue Ventures was flagged off by the Kwale county governor H.E. Fatuma Achani. The boat will strengthen their conservation efforts not just for the octopus closure but across their entire conservation area.

An inspiring cross-learning experience between the Munje male gleaners and female octopus gleaners from Mkwiro BMU came together with Munje BMU’s female members. These women braved the waves to learn from Mkwiro women who have experience in octopus fishing and have recently kicked off a similar initiative in Mkwiro. Together, they broke cultural barriers and paved the way for improved advocacy for women in marine resource access and utilization.

This day marks a leap forward in community-driven marine conservation and gender inclusivity.

REEFolution Foundation CORDIO East Africa Tusk Norad

26/07/2024

Meet Rajab Bidu, a former fisherman turned apiculture professor.
A decade ago, the ocean was his classroom, and the rhythmic crash of waves his daily lesson. As a fisherman, he witnessed firsthand the dwindling marine resources, Bidu abandoned his nets for nectar.

This , we spotlight not just Bidu, but also his community who are adopting a and approach to protecting vital habitats through production and processing of an intervention supported by livelihood Impact Fund and implemented by Comred.

Read the blog to learn more: https://www.comred.or.ke/post/from-nets-to-nectar-fisherman-turns-to-bee-keeping-to-save-mother-nature



Norad Blue Ventures Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) World Food Programme IUCN IUCN Red List of Threatened Species GIZ,German International Cooperation

18/07/2024

Tides are changing in Kenya's South Coast as local data collectors are taking charge of fisheries management through fish catch data collection, analysis and feedback to their communities.
This has strengthened their role in sustainable fisheries management, empowering them to make data-driven decisions.

Read this blog to discover how communities are making waves and challenging the status quo.

LINK: https://www.comred.or.ke/post/fisher-communities-redefining-fish-catch-data-ownership



Blue Ventures Norad WorldFish REEFolution Foundation

10/07/2024

Another quarter, another Shimoni-Vanga Multistakeholder Forum meeting!

Over 15 Beach Management Units, NGOs and government agencies, gathered to share and co-design visionary plans for the seascape. We delved into the comeback of the 7th phase of United Nations Development Programme - UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme , marine education initiatives for children, exploring the expansion of marine protected areas, data feedback on BMUs compliance to fisheries regulations, and strategizing for community-centric marine spatial planning.

This forum meeting was a celebration of our shared vision and a beacon for sustainable development in the seascape.

REEFolution Foundation Norad Wildlife Conservation Society Plan International WWF-Kenya Kwale County Government Seacology The GEF Small Grants Programme in Kenya