Communication Strategy for Community Based Fire Management: Engaging Communities to Sustain their Natural Resources

This community‐based fire integrated communication strategy is one of the strategic plans of the National Forest Monitoring and Assessment (NAFORMA) project − a collaboration between the Governments of the Republic of Tanzania and Finland and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

The purpose of the FAO‐Fin Integrated Fire Management Project (under Outcome 3: Sustainable Forest Management Practices) is to establish a prudent and sustainable system of fire management for natural resources and to help mitigate climate change. Specifically, the objective of the project is to facilitate partnering between the line ministries, local communities, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), the private sector, and Local Government Authorities (LGAs) to establish integrated systems of fire prevention and management. The development and implementation of an effective communication strategy is a critical component of an Integrated Fire Management programme. It should be designed to increase awareness, participation and cooperation, and contribute significantly to coordination of all stakeholders through monitoring and evaluation of expected outcomes. The goal of such communication initiatives must be to empower communities to reconnect with, learn to respect, utilize intelligently and preserve their precious forest, bush and grassland resources, and to integrate into Tanzania’s climate change agenda.