S01
Protected areas:
Enhance the capacity and efficacy of protected areas.
S02
Communities
Improve the wellbeing livelihoods of communities in ways that reinforce their stewardships of forests
S03
Collaboration
Better protected area-community relations, cross-sector collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, strong governance
S04
MEL
Centralised and transparent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning programme to ensure constant learning of lessons and adaptation of the Strategy to improve effectiveness
South-central Tanzania’s Udzungwa mountains are renowned for their exceptional biodiversity. STEP is part of a coalition of partners implementing the Udzungwa Landscape Strategy, a collaborative effort to protect this unique ecosystem. The strategy focuses on the Udzungwa’s three core protected areas and 71 adjacent villages.Our partners in this coalition include the Mazingira Alliance for Community and Conservation (MACCO), Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre (UEMC), TFS and TANAPA.
STEP works across all four of the ULS’s Strategic Objectives, and especially under SO1 and SO2.
SO1. Protetecd Areas:
Enhance the capacity and efficacy of protected areas.
STEP is leading the work under this Strategic Objective, in close collaboration with TFS, TANAPA, and multiple VNRCs. Our shared vision is to raise the capacity of Kilombero NFR, Uzungwa Scarp NFR, and UMNP into world-class protected areas.
Supporting joint forest patrols by rangers and community scouts:
We support 14-day foot patrols in each of the Udzungwa’s three core protected areas (PA) every month, with all patrol teams comprising rangers from each PA as well as community scouts from villages adjacent to the forests.
Training and equipping rangers and community scouts:
To enhance the professionalism of rangers and community scouts, the ULS facilitates training in patrol conduct, social safeguards, human rights, and mental health and wellbeing. To ensure rangers are well prepared for their work, the ULS provides essential gear such as camping equipment, uniforms, GPS devices, smartphones, laptops, and first aid kits.
Infrastructure support:
The ULS will improve radio communications for the three core protected areas, enhancing coordination and collaboration.
Strengthening Village Natural Resource Committees (VNRCs):
The ULS will equip VNRC members and village leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively manage and protect natural resources and ensure sustainable practices within their villages. We will facilitate training on roles and responsibilities, VNRC by-laws, human rights, Participatory Forest Management, and fire management.
SO2. Communities:
Improve the wellbeing and livelihoods
of communities in ways that reinforce their
stewardship of forests
Village Savings and Loans Associations:
The ULS is scaling up access to safe and reliable credit for livelihood diversification through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs). VSLAs enable members to invest in sustainable income-generating activities, helping to diversify livelihoods, improve wellbeing, and reduce dependence on forest resources. Our goal is to form 30 VSLAs with a minimum of 750 members by the end of 2025.
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Conservation agreements:
Conservation agreements are voluntary arrangements through which communities receive tangible benefits in exchange for committing to specific conservation actions. These benefits are decided on in a participatory manner and, depending on community priorities, can go toward social services such as health and education. The ULS will scale Conservation Agreements to 10 villages by 2026.
Education and awareness-raising:
The ULS will organize annual Misitu Cup football and netball tournaments to raise awareness about forest conservation, coexistence, and sustainable energy. Co-hosted with protected area partners, these events will foster stronger relationships between communities and protected area staff through sports, engagement, and awareness-raising activities
SO3. Collaboration:
Better protected area-community relations, cross-sector collaboration and synergy among stakeholders, strong governance
Effective and transparent governance:
STEP has led on setting up and supporting the Steering Committee and Secretariat of the ULS, and Dr. T. Jones was elected to Secretary of the Steering Committee. We also participate in all of the Working Groups that have been established to help communication and cooperation between stakeholders working under each of the Strategic Objectives.
SO4. MEL:
Centralised and transparent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning programme to ensure constant learning of lessons and adaptation of the Strategy to improve effectiveness
STEP is collaborating closely with the MEL team at the Udzungwa Ecological Monitoring Centre on developing the MEL systems, databases and dashboard. We also have a newly strengthened MEL team who are developing multiple STEP dashboards that will be connected to and complementary with the ULS system.
