23 Jul 2026

The formation of a National Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) Association is underway following the election of an interim committee tasked with steering the establishment of the body within the next 12 months.

The resolution was reached at the conclusion of the resuscitated National CBNRM Forum held in Maun from July 15 to 16, which brought together delegates from Community Based Organisations (CBOs), government and civil society to deliberate on the future of community-based natural resource management in the country.

Presenting on institutionalising CBNRM, Professor Joseph Mbaiwa of Okavango Research Institute (ORI), said the establishment of a national association was necessary to address long-standing institutional bottlenecks and strengthen governance across the sector.

He said the association would provide policy advocacy and legal support, leadership and capacity building, research, technical assistance and resource mobilisation while strengthening accountability, transparency and long-term sustainability within CBOs.

Presenting on behalf of one of the forum’s discussion groups, Fauna Conservation Trust of Ngamiland executive director, Mr Mpho Tiego said although CBNRM had over the years contributed to employment creation, increased participation of women and youth in conservation, growth of eco-tourism and improved community stewardship of natural resources, the sector continued to face challenges that threatened its sustainability.

“Things such as weak governance, poor financial management, leadership conflicts, inadequate monitoring and reporting systems had affected the performance of Community Based Organisations,” he said 

Mr Tiego further identified challenges including inequitable distribution of benefits, climate change, increasing pressure from international anti-hunting lobby groups, poor needs assessments before the establishment of community trusts and the tendency by some organisations to blur the distinction between charitable and business operations.

He further said participants recommended strengthening governance through continuous capacity building for boards of trustees, improving checks and balances, developing effective monitoring and evaluation systems, enhancing communication with communities and empowering beneficiaries to demand accountability from their leaders.

He added that delegates also proposed strengthening the capacity of Technical Advisory Committees, expediting the establishment of regional CBNRM offices, undertaking regular community needs assessments and promoting climate change adaptation measures to improve the resilience of Community Based Organisations.

The interim national CBNRM committee consists of 10 members, with Mr Tiego, elected chairperson.

Meanwhile, the committee has been mandated to draft and register the association’s constitution, establish an interim secretariat, develop governance, communication and resource mobilisation frameworks and convene the inaugural general assembly that would adopt the constitution and elect the first substantive national executive committee.

The forum also reaffirmed the need for a unified national platform through which CBOs can collaborate, share best practices and advocate for policies that strengthened community participation in the sustainable management of natural resources. ENDS