14 highlands based Community Based Organizations (CBO)s that do work on nature conservation received two weeks training on capacity building and media recently.

The participants from across the highlands region, converged at Goroka, Eastern Highlands Province, at the Research and Conservation Foundation (PNG) conference center.

The training was facilitated by Conservation Forum PNG with trainer John Ericho taking lead in the training.

The NGOs and CBOs are funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants program which is implemented by the United Nations Development Program. The GEF SGP provides grants of up to USD 50,000 directly to CSOs and community-based organizations (CBO’s) to undertake local projects that contribute to the global environment while generating sustainable livelihoods.

Managing and sustaining these projects is part of the training for these grantees.

It was fulfilling for most of the attendees that took part. Peter Kaman from Jiwaka works with Bridging Gap a drug addiction rehabilitation center in Jiwaka Province.

They substitute their income through honey production and his community is planting trees to preserve bees that in-return produce honey in the Waghi Valley in Jiwaka. Peter like many of the attendees are hoping to benefit from their conservation work, which in turn provides sustainability for their community.

Like most the need to preserve nature is a choice that communities have taken up.

Interest in learning how to manage a change project within the community requires a wholistic approach and many participants were excited to take part in the training.

Trainer John Eriko says there is a desire for conservation and the Government is helping in terms of providing funding avenues for Community Based Organizations to take part in conservation work.

Related: https://insidepng.com/environment-conservation-and-land-management/