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racine

The mangrove areas of Lower Guinea are inherently threatened by the effects of climate change and biodiversity loss. In addition, the population there is largely dependent on sectors that are most vulnerable to climate change, such as rice farming and fishing, and overexploits forest resources for firewood and cooking fuel.

To reverse this trend, this project aims to inform and raise awareness among young people about environmental challenges. They will then act as a lever to raise awareness among adults, who are more resistant to behavioral change. The project will also help to restore the wisdom of elders and stabilize youth in a restored environment, thereby combating rural exodus.

This intervention will be based on the results of the educational program initiated as part of the ongoing project “Management of mangrove forests from Senegal to Benin,” funded by the European Union’s PAPBIO program.

 

Photo on the right: Commemoration of International Mangrove Day with schoolchildren from the Tristao Islands Marine Protected Area (Photo copyright: Carbone Guinea)

2. Institutions shall incorporate knowledge related to the natural and cultural heritage of coastal areas and the issue of sustainable ecosystem management into public education policies.

They are responsible for integrating environmental and development education into school curricula. This will be achieved mainly through networking, consultation, and support for educational institutions.

Our action

The RACINE project will integrate environmental and development education into the curricula of 20 pilot schools located in the prefectures of Boffa, Dubréka, and Boké. The project has three main objectives:

1. Teachers’ and students’ knowledge of the environment and sustainable development is improved, and the school becomes a lever for environmental protection and sustainable development.

This result will be achieved by:

  • The creation of educational tools and guides, as well as a training program tailored to coastal and marine areas, which will be integrated into existing school courses (French, geography, etc.).
  • The establishment of environmental clubs, made up of volunteer students who will initiate activities to raise awareness of the environment and the conservation and restoration of mangrove ecosystems. These clubs will be supported by training advisors (principals and teachers), who will be specially trained and equipped by the project. A cultural day focusing on the environment will be organized at the end of the project to bring the clubs together to create exhibitions, ecological theater performances, etc.

3. Environmental education stakeholders participate in discussions on integrating issues related to coastal and marine ecosystems into their sustainable development education strategies and are part of a network for exchanging and sharing knowledge.

This result will be achieved through the establishment of a Learning and Practice Community (LPC), which will enable the sharing of successful experiences and the implementation of advocacy actions to influence development policies. Actions to capitalize on and disseminate experiences will conclude the project and ensure its sustainability and deployment on a larger scale.

target audience

The direct target audience of the RACINE project is:

  • Students and teachers from 20 schools located in the prefectures of Dubréka, Boffa, and Boké;
  • The Center for Environmental and Development Education (CEED).

The indirect target audience is:

  • Children and young people in non-formal education settings (Koranic schools, community-based schools, etc.) and young people not in school.
  • Local structures engaged in grassroots development activities so that they are better able to manage their environment while benefiting from natural resources.
  • Local communities and elected officials, so that they can better understand the issues and take environmental concerns into account in their decision-making.

SUMMARY

  • Location: Northern coast of the Republic of Guinea, prefectures of Dubréka, Boffa, and Boké
  • Duration: May 2024–May 2026
  • Budget: $288,555
  • Operational partners:
    • Guinea Ecology and
    • National Institute for Research and Pedagogical Action (INRAP)
  • Financial partner:

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