On 27 March 2026, the Marape community gathered alongside traditional leaders, Community Fishing Council (CCP) representatives, and members of the Natural Resource Steering Committee to formally launch the Raízes Azuis (“Blue Roots”) project at the Sanctuary. The event marked an important milestone in the rollout of this ambitious, multi-partner initiative, setting the foundation for a new phase of community-led marine conservation and sustainable livelihood development across the Inhambane seascape.
Funded through the GIZ ProsperAzul programme and co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), Raízes Azuis brings together nine consortium partners working across Vilankulo, the Sanctuary, and Malamba-Mazuene over a 31-month period. The project is designed to strengthen the long-term sustainability of coastal ecosystems while improving the resilience and wellbeing of the communities that depend on them.
At the Sanctuary, the project will focus on a set of integrated activities that link conservation outcomes directly with community benefits. Central to this is the strengthening of locally managed marine areas (LMMAs), including improved community-based fisheries monitoring systems. Working closely with CCPs and local leadership structures, the project will support more effective governance of marine resources, including efforts to reduce illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
Alongside this, Raízes Azuis will invest in alternative livelihood opportunities aimed at reducing pressure on marine ecosystems. These include the scaling up of the existing Chingonguene sewing project, skill development and vocational training, value-added fisheries products, and other income-generating activities designed to provide viable, sustainable alternatives to extractive practices. A strong emphasis is placed on supporting women and youth, both as key resource users and as future stewards of the seascape.
Habitat restoration also forms a critical component of the work at the Sanctuary. Planned activities include the rehabilitation and protection of priority coastal habitats such as mangroves, which play a vital role in supporting fisheries, protecting shorelines, and storing carbon. These efforts will be complemented by community-led monitoring programmes, enabling local participants to track changes in ecosystem health and resource use over time.
The Marape launch reflected the project’s commitment to grounding implementation in local ownership. Community members engaged actively in discussions around priorities, expectations, and responsibilities, reinforcing the principle that long-term conservation success depends on inclusive, participatory approaches.
Through Raízes Azuis, the Sanctuary is strengthening its role within a broader network of partners working toward a shared vision: a healthy, productive, and well-managed coastal seascape that supports both biodiversity and the communities who depend on it.
