Livelihoods & Community Development

At COBEC, we understand that conservation cannot succeed without addressing the socio-economic challenges facing local communities. Poverty, youth unemployment, and lack of access to resources often drive overfishing, deforestation, and other environmentally harmful activities. To break this cycle, we invest in sustainable livelihoods and community development as a core pillar of our work.

Our Livelihoods Programme is designed to provide alternative income-generating opportunities, reduce dependency on extractive marine activities, build community resilience and financial independence, and empower marginalized groups, especially women and youth.

Beekeeping initiative
Eco-tourism activity

Key interventions include:

  • Beekeeping and sustainable honey production
  • Handicrafts from recycled or natural materials
  • Small-scale poultry and goat rearing
  • Eco-tourism development, including turtle-watching and mangrove boardwalks
  • Training in value addition (e.g., fish drying, packaging)
  • Formation of savings and loans groups to support small business growth
Community handicraft workshop

We also provide business development training, mentorship, and marketing support to help community members turn ideas into viable micro-enterprises. By creating practical, culturally appropriate, and environmentally friendly income options, we ensure that conservation is not a burden but a benefit. These initiatives reduce pressure on ecosystems, improve household incomes, and foster a conservation culture rooted in prosperity and dignity.