OUR WORK
FACILITATING PEACE PARKS
The first step in establishing a transfrontier conservation area is the drafting and signing of international agreements and protocols. Once these commitments are in place, the actual development of the TFCA can begin. The Foundation fulfils a number of tasks to facilitate the establishment and development of TFCAs, including:
- Political will and support
Raising awareness, informing political leaders about the concept of peace parks and obtaining support at the highest political level, which is a prerequisite to the development of any TFCA. In Africa, this is one of the projects that epitomises the implementation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).
- Facilitation
Supporting facilitators who, in consultation with government departments, donors and the private sector, provide leadership and momentum in the development of TFCAs. Their work includes ensuring the compilation of an integrated management plan, good communication between all interested and affected parties and regular, productive meetings of a TFCA technical committee which, in turn, oversees the work of any number of working groups on issues such as customs and immigration, legislation, tourism, community interests and veterinary concerns.
- Project planning
Developing practical project implementation proposals and action plans to ensure that TFCAs are established in a sustainable manner. These include joint management, tourism and business plans.
- Project implementation/ management
Once funding is secured, the Foundation supports governments in the implementation of projects according to the action plans that were drawn up in the planning phase. This includes establishing and staffing project implementation units, community consultations, the planning of wildlife translocation and infrastructure development.
The Foundation furthermore has special skills that it offers in facilitating the establishment of peace parks:
- Financial management
Ensuring that donor funds are properly managed and that corporate governance is of the highest standard. PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc audits the Foundation's financial statements annually.
- GIS and database design
Obtaining and processing GIS information, satellite images and digital elevation models via the Foundation's GIS laboratory in order to create ecological and social information systems for the various TFCAs under development.
- Land-use planning
Developing regional land-use plans, planning parks and conceptualising zoning within the parks, as well as integrating park and regional planning.