From Participation to Leadership: Women’s Influence in Fisheries Governance, Conservation and Adaptive Management

CI Cambodia began gender mainstreaming in the Tonle Sap in 2013 by promoting women’s participation in community fisheries and conservation activities. While women were increasingly represented in committees, this did not always translate into meaningful influence, as their voices and leadership roles remained limited. Between 2014 and 2026, CI Cambodia strengthened its approach by linking women’s savings groups with community fisheries committees to co-manage conservation funds. This partnership provided women with practical opportunities to develop financial management skills, engage in planning and consultations, and contribute directly to decisions on conservation investments. Over time, women’s roles evolved from passive representation to active leadership and decision-making. The experience shows that meaningful gender mainstreaming requires women’s access to resources, leadership roles, and decision-making power.

Visit page

Related content

Farmer-led agroecology and seed systems strengthening agrobiodiversity in Ghana

The Abrono Organic Farmers Association (ABOFA), based in Forikrom in Ghana’s Bono East Region, supports about 6,000 farmers to manage agrobiodiversity across more than 5,000 hectares through agroecological farming. Farmers cultivate small plots of around 1 hectare using diverse mixtures of root crops, cereals, vegetables, fruit trees and livestock in agroforestry systems. ABOFA strengthens these systems through farmer field schools, farmer-to-farmer extension and training on soil testing, composting, rainwater harvesting, nursery practices, beekeeping, grafting and recordkeeping. Farmers mainly save and exchange their own seeds, while ABOFA’s community seed bank conserves 31 crop varieties. The association also supports value addition, aggregation and market access for products such as cashew, mango, cocoa and honey. Together, these approaches strengthen livelihoods, food security, resilience and the sustainable use of local biodiversity.

Strengthening agroforestry enterprises through cooperative governance in Vietnam

Binh Minh Agroforestry Cooperative (BMAC) in Yen Bai Province, Vietnam, shows how strong internal governance can turn a small farmer group into a viable forestry enterprise. Established in 2017 with support from the Forest and Farm Facility and the Vietnam Farmers’ Union, BMAC grew from 7 to 18 member households and now works with more than 2,000 forest-growing households managing about 8,000 hectares, including 6,000 hectares certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Clear leadership, elected governance bodies, transparent financial management, regular communication, risk management and continuous learning enabled the cooperative to invest in processing, diversify products and build partnerships with companies and government. From 2018 to 2022, BMAC generated about VND (Vietnamese dong) 64 billion in revenue and VND 6 billion in profit, while creating jobs and expanding access to higher-value markets. Remaining challenges include unequal dividend sharing, limited member participation and access to capital.

Mobilizing internal finance within a forest and farm producer organization in Ghana

The Jwa Ngwaane Community Cooperative Credit Union was established by the Kassena Nankana Baobab Cooperative Union (KANBAOCU), a forest and farm producer organisation (FFPO) in Ghana’s Upper East Region. Formed in August 2020 and launched in December 2020, it began with 96 village savings and loans associations representing 2,920 members. The credit union was created to help members save securely, access low-interest loans and invest in farming, shea, baobab and other value chains after many had lost confidence in commercial banking. The member-owned model offers shares, savings accounts, fixed deposits, loans and agribusiness support. It is governed through a general assembly, board, loans, supervisory and education committees, supported by a manager and field officers. By 2022, it had grown to 363 accounts, 6,105 individual members, GH₵283,523 in savings and GH₵271,346 in loans, showing how FFPOs can mobilize internal finance for inclusive rural enterprise.

Mobilizing farmer-led cooperative finance for family farming in Brazil

Cresol Credit Union System was founded in 1995 by 27 family farmers in southwest Paraná, Brazil, to improve access to rural credit and financial services for smallholders excluded from traditional banking. It has grown into a three-tier cooperative financial system with 1 confederation, 4 central credit unions, 72 first-tier credit unions and 734 branches across 18 Brazilian states. Cresol provides financial services to more than 786,000 member families, including over 245,000 people involved in agriculture. Its model combines member savings and investments with funding from Brazilian Development Bank (BNDES), private and development banks and international funds. Cresol provides productive and investment credit, working capital, insurance, savings, digital services and technical assistance. Through its Rural Entrepreneurship programme and rural finance methodology, it links finance with management support, better use of natural resources, technology and sustainable practices supporting family farming and local development.

Supporting farmer-led agroforestry adoption in Atsinanana, Madagascar

The Union of Farmer Organisations of Atsinanana (FITAFA), supported by the Confederation of Malagasy Farmers (FEKRITAMA) and the Forest and Farm Facility, promotes agroforestry uptake in eastern Madagascar. FITAFA represents 350 farming households across Vatomandry, Antanambao Manampotsy and Mahanoro districts, where slash-and-burn farming, forest and soil degradation, delayed rains and drought threaten livelihoods. Farmers establish shade-grown systems combining cinnamon, clove, coffee and lychee with fruit trees, food crops, vines, livestock, beekeeping and fishponds. FEKRITAMA and FITAFA support adoption through training, farmer-to-farmer learning, demonstration sites, community nurseries and market connections. Farmers have reported improved diets, diversified income, soil restoration, climate resilience, rural employment and stronger social ties. Land tenure is a challenge in which Farmers Organizations still struggle, and constraints remain around markets, labour, finance, seedlings and inclusion of women and youth.

Be Green Trade: combining business incubation and market development for sustainable forest enterprises in Bolivia

Be Green Trade is an integrated business incubator and market developer established by the Business Work Foundation (Fundación Trabajo Empresa or FTE), in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. It combines a 5,000 m² shared workspace with business planning, training, mentoring, legal support, product development and marketing services for micro and small enterprises working with recycled wood, timber and non-timber forest products. Through partnerships with public institutions, businesses, universities, NGOs and professional networks, it connects producers with technical expertise, sales channels and market information.

Be Green Trade responds to a central constraint: forest products and their environmental, social and cultural value are poorly recognized in markets, while small enterprises face limited finance, formalization requirements and competition from imports and informal businesses. Over five years, it supported about 40 businesses and contributed to 815 direct jobs, including 423 for women and 147 for people under 25.

Developing the Amazon Chakra shared label for Indigenous agroforestry in Ecuador

The Amazon Chakra Seal was developed in Napo Province, Ecuador, as a shared label for products from the traditional Kichwa chakra agroforestry system. The chakra integrates diverse crops, trees, medicinal plants, ancestral knowledge and family and community life, supporting food sovereignty, ecosystem services and biocultural heritage. Kallari, Wiñak and Tsatsayaku initiated the process through Grupo Chakra, later joining Inti and Ally Guayusa in the Corporation of Amazon Chakra Associations. Legally constituted in 2021, the corporation represents 850 families from 21 communities. The Seal uses a participatory guarantee system based on nine principles to reduce reliance on costly third-party certification and position chakra products in differentiated markets. Producer organisations, technical delegations, an ethics committee and a general assembly implement the system with support from public institutions, research bodies and international partners.

Building climate resilience through women-led agroforestry tree nurseries in Kenya

Lake Elementaita Tree Nurseries Self Help Group (LETNSHG) is a producer organization in Gilgil Sub-County, Nakuru County, Kenya, supported by the Forest and Farm Facility to commercialize climate-resilient tree nursery businesses. Founded in 2004 by six women, the group has grown to 62 members, with 48 members operating nurseries along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway. Together they produce and sell more than 3 million seedlings annually, with a turnover of about KSh 20 million. Operating in a dryland area with annual rainfall of about 654 mm, the group faced rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, droughts, floods, and prolonged dry spells, which reduced seedling survival, increased production costs and disrupted sales, with disproportionate impacts on women and youth due to increased labour demands and limited financial buffers.

In response, LETNSHG adopted a six-step resilience model based on agroecological, economic, social, partnership, customer and marketing diversification.

Working with nature through the Kishan Chautari Participatory Guarantee System in Nepal

The National Farmers Group Federation (NFGF) in Nepal has worked with smallholder farmer groups over the last 8 years to pilot resilient and sustainable farming practices through a Participatory Guarantee System (PGS) shared label. The aim is to improve livelihoods, food and nutrition security and ecological sustainability by promoting organic production rooted in traditional knowledge.

The PGS is implemented through Kishan Chautari, a multistakeholder farmers’ dialogue forum that brings together producer groups, service providers and government agencies. The forum supports joint planning, adoption of locally agreed organic standards, monitoring, cross-learning and links to services and markets.

The approach promotes water-smart, nutrient-smart and energy-smart practices, including rainwater harvesting, household wastewater reuse, organic manure, crop rotation, legumes, organic pest management and integrated agroforestry on less productive land. In Belaka municipality, certified products achieved higher prices.

From Fish to Wild Berries: The Shift in Socioeconomic Strategy in a Protected Area of the Chiquitania Region in Bolivia

The Laguna Marfil Municipal Integrated Natural Management Area is home to the largest lagoon in the Chiquitanía region and 12 Chiquitano indigenous communities. Fishing was the main local livelihood, but droughts and fires made fishing more difficult and increased pressure from deforestation. Among alternatives involving non-timber forest products, the mangaba (Hancornia speciosa) stood out—an abundant species with exceptionally flavorful fruit, though fragile and perishable. To harness its potential, harvesting, processing, and promotional trials were conducted in high-end restaurants to generate commercial demand; subsequently, a fully equipped processing facility with a photovoltaic system for refrigeration was built. An inclusive, cooperative venture involving harvesters has been established. The results are significant on ecological, economic, and social levels. Fire prevention and control have improved, dozens of families participate in the harvest, and commercial demand exceeds current production capacity.

Tortubanks: Eco-actions that leave a mark for sea turtle conservation

TortuBanks, now part of the Balance y Consciencia OBC Environmental Association, has a mission to implement intergenerational community actions focused on the conservation of sea turtles on the coast of Punta Chame, Panama. Through constant monitoring of nests, the use of non-invasive methodologies, the creation of nurseries, and in situ protection, a high hatching and release rate of hatchlings has been achieved. At the same time, educational activities, workshops with recycled materials, beach cleanups, and programs such as “Adopt Your Nest” are developed to strengthen environmental awareness and the community’s emotional connection to conservation. The initiative promotes recycling, social responsibility, and coordination with public and private actors. All work is carried out on a voluntary basis, highlighting the community’s genuine commitment. TortuBanks integrates science, education, and participation to achieve effective and sustainable conservation with environmental and social impact.

Regenerative Agriculture for the Conservation of the Chiquitano Dry Forest and the Reduction of Deforestation in Santa Cruz, Bolivia

In Bolivia, the expansion of agriculture and livestock farming on degraded soils is increasing pressure to clear the Chiquitano Dry Forest. The Chiquitanía Sostenible Model Forest promotes sustainable production through regenerative practices, restoring soils to support both production and conservation. Through demonstration plots, farmers are implementing cover crops, mixed cover systems, crop rotations, and improved pasture management to restore soil fertility, water infiltration, and organic matter, thereby gradually increasing productivity. In addition, functional biodiversity (pollinating bees, earthworms, and coprophagous beetles) is monitored. At the landscape scale, the initiative integrates agroforestry, regenerative livestock farming with water management and spring protection, restoration of degraded ecosystems, and fire prevention. Non-timber resources (wild fruits, honey, and Chiquitano almonds) are also promoted, thereby enhancing the value of the standing forest and reducing pressure for deforestation.