District-based groupings exchange experiences |16 May 2016

Members of community-based organisations (CBOs) in Seychelles met on Saturday to share their experiences and learn from each other.

The workshop was held at the Surmer Restaurant, Anse Etoile. 

The aim of the workshop led by the non-governmental organisation (NGO) Sustainability for Seychelles (S4S) was to give CBO leaders an opportunity to strategise on how they can continue to network and collaborate for greater impact. 

Present during the workshop were members of the Port Glaud Environment Club, Trankilite ek Respe, Delaflam; three farmers association – Anse Boileau, Val d’Andorre and Baie Ste Anne; and a CBO from La Digue along with the La Digue fisherman association.

This is the third CBO workshop organised by S4S since 2014; the previous two focused on climate change and environmental laws and citizenship. 

In recent years, Seychelles has seen a growing number of CBOs becoming established in various communities around the islands and there are about 20 CBOs at present. 

CBOs are focused on diverse issues including sustainable development in general, cleaning, nature trails, care of the elderly, livelihoods such as fishing and farming.  

For several years, S4S has been supporting CBOs and providing a forum for them to meet and exchange experiences. 

S4S executive director Michele Martin said S4S is interested in promoting citizen action and citizens’ involvement in sustainable development whether it is environmental or social and those groups do similar work to theirs.

“CBOs is easier than working with individuals. They are groups of community members who come together outside of politics and religion to try and address problems in the community, so this workshop is for us to work with those groups and help support them, make them learn from one another’s successes and failures,” she said.

She said she would like these CBOs to be recognised in their communities as a partner in sustainable development.

Ms Martin said she is satisfied with the outcome although a lot of CBOs did not come and that the information will be compiled so that those who missed out will get a chance to benefit from it as well.

“We really had some good discussions, we did some group work on the problems that they are facing and we looked for the commonalities and ways to overcome their problems. We also looked at their success stories and the factors which contribute to the success,” she said.