Mid Term Review of Mount Elgon Regional Ecosystem Conservation Programme (MERECP)

The Project

MERECP is a regional programme, where the main purpose is to enhance the conservation status and benefits of Mt. Elgon ecosystem to environment quality and livelihoods. MERECP was conceived and designed in response to the conservation and development needs of the Mt. Elgon Ecosystem. The area has received attention and support over a long period, and building upon this support, the MERECP programme was developed over a period of almost four years (2000-2004). MERECP's goal is "Integrated ecosystem conservation and management for sustainable development and enhanced well-being to people and the environment". Objectives include a) Conservation and management of natural resources and biodiversity in and outside protected areas promoted; b) Sustainable development in Mt. Elgon Ecosystem enhanced; c) Conservation and management needs of Mt. Elgon Ecosystem integrated into national, regional and international development framework; and d) MERECP implemented effectively as a regional trans-boundary programme.

Interesting Findings

• MERECEP is a challenging, ambitious and innovative programme, but it has some design challenges. Although the ecosystem approach and the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) principles are embedded in vision and goal, they have disappeared in the programme's objectives. MERECEP's vision, goal and objective must therefore be harmonised to address the ecosystem approach
• MERECP is an important programme in the management of a trans-boundary ecosystem and plays an important role in facilitating cooperation and coordinate actions between and among the relevant stakeholders.
• MERECEP has taken into account gender balance through the policy of Affirmative Action which assures representation of women on local council's right from the village level. This approach has promoted participation of women in planning and implementation of development programmes.
• The evaluation team found that impacts on improved livelihoods and livelihood security of the women and men of the Mt Elgon ecosystem included park boundary management (planting and management of live fences), use of non-timber products for local communities (firewood, mushrooms, bamboo etc.) and improvement in agricultural practises.
• Local management and implementation responsibilities are at the district level instead of village level. Local communities are in this regard left out of important consultations and decision-making processes.
• To improve sustainability and reliability MERECP should look to lessons learned about achievements and constraints to other likeminded programmes and stakeholders. Experience from programmes with similar diversity and interdisciplinary indicates that four years is not enough +/- 20 years is more realistic. Donors should be prepared for this.