'Capacity Building' is a much used, and abused, term in biodiversity conservation and environmental management. Madagasikara Voakajy's version of capacity buidling falls into two categories, give and take.
Building our capacity ('taking')
Madagasikara Voakajy was created in 2005 following a series of projects that were aimed at building the capacity of Malagasy biologists. The new organisation gave the best of these students the opportunity to develop their careers and realise their ambitions.
Nowadays, Madagasikarar Voakajy's personnel require their capcaity to be nurtured, supported and used. After all, their capacity was 'built' about a decade ago.
However, there are a number of disciplines and subject areas in which Madagasikara Voakajy requires its capacity to be built. We are therefore actively seeking partners to help us build strong foundations in these areas.
Building the capacity of others ('giving')
We have an ongoing education and outreach programme that provides support and training for Malagasy students, professionals and community organisations.
We work with three Malagasy university departments to provide research students with experience of conducting field studies, as well as providing work experience opportunities.
We also build the capacity of wildlife professionals, and this has included GIS training for Madagascar National Park staff and training courses on animal biology and identificatin for national park guides. Our community program is supporting the capacity of village-based organisations to sustainably manage natural resources and protect biodiversity.
