Namibia’s Conservation Crossroads: Charting the Future of CBNRM
The CBNRM Technical Workshop, held in Windhoek from November 17 to 19, 2025, convened key Namibian conservation stakeholders under the theme: “The CBNRM program in Namibia: embracing the past and present, envisaging the future.”
This critical gathering provided a crucial platform to directly confront long-standing structural and operational challenges within Community-Based Organisations (CBOs), particularly focusing on issues of governance and financial management. Attendees discussed how studies show the inequitable distribution of economic benefits often fuels internal conflicts, emphasising the need for robust mechanisms to ensure gains effectively reach all community members.
A major portion of the workshop addressed the urgent need for modernization. Participants collectively recognized that outdated data management systems, such as CONINFO (Conservancy Information System), are struggling to meet current technological demands and accurately inform conservation decisions. Furthermore, the sector acknowledged significant threats to sustainability from emerging issues, including new mining activities in conservation areas and unclear enforcement in Community Forests, which underscore a critical need for clear policy and legal alignment. The global drive for mineral extraction, in particular, presents significant risks to conservation, driven by the lack of technical expertise among communities to engage in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Process.
The technical sessions culminated in a clear roadmap for the sector’s way forward:
- Governance: Stakeholders proposed strengthening funding models and clarifying guidelines for leadership transitions and asset handovers.
- Data Management: A roadmap was developed to transition from the legacy Microsoft Access system to a modern, cloud-based architecture, alongside establishing a comprehensive Data Governance Framework.
- Professionalisation: The workshop resolved to support the NACSO Training Institute (NTI) in its effort to submit training curricula for accreditation, ensuring a standardised CBNRM curriculum.
- New Threats: Adapting to these threats led to a call for better inter-institutional coordination on extractive industries and a commitment to reviewing Joint Venture Compliance Frameworks for tourism.
The Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF) participated as a critical partner, reinforcing its commitment to advancing integrated conservation. NNF’s strategic work centres on CBO Strengthening, acting as a facilitator by providing essential technical support and capacity building. The Foundation is active in grant administration and piloting innovative mechanisms like the Wildlife Credits model, which links verified conservation results to sustainable community funding.NNF’s direct work, which includes supporting 20 Conservancies and 19 Community Forests, generated approximately N$23.9 million in income and supported 137 jobs (both volunteer and paid) in 2023. This effort is vital to the national CBNRM program, which encompasses 86 Conservancies covering 22% of Namibia’s land.
For more information on the NNF Community Conservation Partnerships and Safeguards (CCPS) Program at NNF, please visit the CCPS page here
