Bôndy's regional consultations

Communication plays an essential and strategic role in any organization. At Bôndy, this principle is fundamental to establishing solid relationships with local communities. Regional consultations are carried out in the areas of intervention in order to strengthen engagement with communities and to ensure that projects meet their needs. The overall objective is to encourage the active participation of citizens in local decisions and affairs. These consultations provide a valuable platform for everyone to share their point of views, ideas, or ask questions. These regional consultations pursue several key objectives:

- Reexplain the foundations of the projects: it is essential to clarify the underlying principles of projects. During these meetings, it is important that each participant understands Bôndy's mission and goals. This establishes a common foundation upon which to build future actions.

- Provide updates: transparency is at the heart of this approach. Informing stakeholders of the progress of the initiatives contributes to creating a climate of trust, which is essential for the smooth running of projects.

- Gather feedback: these consultations offer a valuable opportunity to collect the opinions and suggestions of community members. Understanding their concerns makes it possible to adapt actions so that they really meet expectations.

- Involving all actors: involving diverse actors, from community leaders to ordinary citizens, is crucial to fostering a sense of belonging and collaboration. Everyone has a role to play, and it is essential that everyone feels involved in the projects.

- Strengthen the solidarity of local teams: local teams play a central role in this approach. Involving them in these consultations builds their capacity to build lasting relationships with the communities they serve. It also allows them to better understand local needs and adjust their work accordingly.

Acting locally: regional public consultations, key to the success of projects

Take the example of a project to restore mangrove ecosystems. During the consultations, community members expressed concerns about deforestation and its impact on the environment. Thanks to their feedback, the strategy was able to be adjusted to incorporate reforestation initiatives adapted to local reality. This collaboration has made it possible to develop a program that not only aims to restore biodiversity, but also strengthens the link between citizens and their environment. By involving communities in the planting and monitoring process, a sense of collective responsibility develops. Another essential aspect of the consultations is the strengthening of the capacities of local actors. By training citizens on environmental issues and involving them in the implementation of projects, a contribution to their empowerment is made. This allows them to become agents of change in their own community. It has been observed that when community members are informed and trained, they are more likely to participate actively and advocate for themselves. This knowledge transfer is a fundamental pillar of this approach.

Through these meetings, many positive points were noted. The interest and commitment of communities shows that they are ready to collaborate. However, there are several aspects that need improvement. A major challenge lies in the isolation of the areas of intervention: the isolation of certain areas makes communication difficult and limits access to resources. This lack of infrastructure can hamper awareness-raising efforts, but the determination to overcome these obstacles remains strong. Additionally, some communities may feel distrustful of outside projects, requiring additional work to build trust. Building strong and lasting relationships with communities is critical. It takes time and effort, but every interaction counts.

At the heart of this approach is the desire to meet local communities directly and to engage in discussions on various themes. At Bôndy, every opinion counts. It is crucial to ensure that each project takes into account the needs and concerns of citizens. This means actively listening to their suggestions and integrating their feedback into action plans. That is why engagement in the field, listening and continuous learning are priorities. By placing communication and community engagement at the heart of the approach, the aim is to create a future where every citizen has a say, encouraging active participation of citizens in decisions that affect them. By working together, it is possible to build a sustainable and equitable future for all communities.