Regional VOI Day, Nosy-Be

A strong commitment to VOI

The VOI or Vondron' Olona Ifotony stand out for their courage and their voluntary commitment to protect natural resources. However, they face numerous obstacles and sometimes suffer violence as a result of their actions. On September 29, 2021, during the awards ceremony for the FAGNOESA competition, organized by WWF in Ambolikapiky, the authorities formalized this date as VOI day in the DIANA region, to honor their essential role in the sustainable management of resources. This official regional day honors their commitment and reinforces synergies with partners like Bôndy. The event provides an opportunity to discuss advances and obstacles, while establishing strategic alliances for the future.

Key workshops for collective resource management

During the first day, Bôndy actively contributed to two structuring workshops:

· Communication for Development (C4D) Workshop: This workshop, which brought together nine communities at the Toly Laurent gymnasium, staged simulations of community communication methods such as animations and scenarios. The VOI have thus strengthened their skills to effectively raise awareness among their peers about the management of natural resources.

· Strategic Roadmap Workshop: At the National Center for Oceanographic Research (CNRO), Bôndy and three VOI took part in an in-depth discussion on sustainable management. This forum was organized around five main areas:

· Co-management between authorities and VOI to establish solid collaborative practices. The tripartite agreement between the municipality, the ministries and the VOI aims to ensure the effective management of fishery resources and marine protected areas.

· Sustainable financing, essential for the autonomy of VOI, through income-generating activities (AGR) such as aquaculture, beekeeping and community tourism. Support for community savings groups (GEC) and collaboration with VOI were highlighted to ensure financial resilience.

· Insurance for VOI, making it possible to better protect members from the risks associated with their activities. Subscribing to a mutual health insurance or insurance is considered to offer adequate coverage.

· Material resources, with specific equipment requests (boats, binoculars, drones, GPS) to optimize the monitoring and management of resources. The acquisition of management tools, such as registration books and cash books, is also desired.

· The security of VOI, where the need for a legal framework to protect members was discussed. In collaboration with parliamentarians, a bill could be presented to legally frame the role of VOI and strengthen the security of their interventions.

A second day rich in collaborations and partnerships

The second day of the regional day was marked by official speeches and a presentation recounting the history of this VOI day for the DIANA region. The intervention of Bôndy International attracted particular attention thanks to the promotion of the Ma Honko project, which focuses on the restoration of mangroves. This project embodies Bôndy's commitment to marine biodiversity and community development, while aiming to create a lasting impact in the region. The Governor of the DIANA region underlined the importance of the presence of Bôndy and expressed the wish to strengthen partnerships for the development of environmental projects. This recognition reinforces Bôndy's position as a strategic player in the region and paves the way for new collaborations for conservation.

At the end of the event, it is recommended to increase the number of Bôndy collaborators in future editions, to better distribute responsibilities and maximize the impact of their actions. An expanded presence would allow Bôndy to respond more effectively to the expectations of VOI and to ensure optimal support. The 3rd edition of the Regional VOI Day in the DIANA region demonstrated the strength of community initiatives in the management of natural resources. Thanks to its active presence, Bôndy is positioned as an ally of choice for VOI, sharing their values of sustainability and respect for the environment. With strengthened prospects for collaboration, Bôndy and the VOI are ready to meet future challenges for a more sustainable and resilient future in the DIANA region.