Problem overview:

     Awareness and visions: Due to increase in population and demand for resources on the Funafuti atoll, biological diversity of the island is reducing at an alarming rate, resulting in the establishment of the Funafuti Conservation Area Project.

     Integrating stakeholders: This case demonstrates the importance of integrating stakeholders, in this particular case, local communities on the Funfuti atoll, in the decision-making and management of the program, to the success of the project outcome.

Background in summary:

     Objective of the Funafuti Conservation Area Project: The Funafuti Conservation Area Project (FCA) was launched in October 1995 with an objective to conserve the biodiversity of Funafuti atoll through the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of the community and their descendants.

     Cooperation among national/regional organizations and local community: The project conception was developed after discussions between the community elders and officials from the national and regional environment organizations. Tripartite commitments and obligations were agreed upon and enshrined in a Memorandum of Understanding between the national government and the President of the Island.

     Assistance from local and regional organizations:

• The Government of Tuvalu and the South Pacific Regional Environment Facility assisted the peoples initiative by providing technical assistance and other material.
  
  
• The Environment Unit in the Ministry of Natural Resources & Environment provides technical advice, e.g. on EIA.
  
  
• Outside expertise are sometimes made available by the South Pacific Regional Environment Programme (SPREP) and other bilateral and multilateral donors.
  
  

     Achievements: Three years after the project was launched, there is a marked increase in the abundance of marine and bird life in the conservation area. The conspicuous return to the abundance in marine and bird life of thirty years ago, has served to heighten interest and awareness in the benefits and value of conservation.

Peer Review Committee Good practice rating: (1 for the best, 5 for the lowest score)
Sustainability		Efficiency
2	Improvement in either the environment of economic condition with no harm to the other.	2	Cost efficient.
2	Sustainable over time (not one-off)	Process
Adaptability		1	Participation of the community
3	Location adaptability (can the project be done in other places?)	1	Participation of resource owners/users
2	Socio-cultural adaptability.	1	Partnerships between various actors (Governments, NGO, Academia, Private)
3	Level of development adaptability.	2	Degree of coordination and cooperation between government departments.
3	Style of government adaptability.	2	Ability to attract political interest/support
2	Degree of decentralization adaptability.	2	Procedures for feedback and review.
Comments on this example:       Factors that contribute to the success of Funafuti Conservation Area Project were rather specific to this particular circumstance. The country and the FCA project was fortunate to have a government that is open-minded and was willing to provide financial support. The people, also contribute much to success of the project because they were understanding and was willing to cooperate on how best conserve the natural resources. Sustainability of the project:      Awareness and visions: Local communities in the Funafuti atoll were well aware of the degrading biological diversity of the island. This is one reason why they were willing to contribute in conservation programs. Not all local communities are like this. Some fishing communities move from one fishing area to another as soon as they completely degrade the previous site, not being concerned about how these resources are going to regenerate. Adaptability of the project to other situations:      Location adaptability: The project is being replicated in other islands in Tuvalu. Process of decision making and implementation:      Integrating stakeholders: The FCA is a success story to the extent that the community has been fully involved in all stages of the projects planning and implementation leading to the success of the project. Cost efficiency: