The RESCCUE project focused on strengthening the development and implementation of  Integrated Coastal Management (ICM), building on a participatory approach, and the endorsement by local authorities. The ICM plans provide a clear road map of how development, resource management, conservation measures and climate change mitigation and adaptation initiatives can be systematically carried out. The participatory approach allows all key stakeholders to exchange and share their views, activities and experience on the management of coastal and natural resources, including indigenous communities.

In Fiji, the development of Provincial ICM plans falls under the national ICM framework, which relies on a participatory approach with a national ICM committee – a technical advisory committee to the National Environment Council – and provincial ICM committees which comprise individuals from provincial administrations, government, private sector and communities. Based on a template for provincial-level ICM plans, provided by the national committee, each coastal province in Fiji is expected to develop a plan. 

Ra was the first province in Fiji that had drafted an ICM plan, alongside the establishment of a Provincial ICM committee. The RESCCUE project supported the completion of the existing draft, and its circulation to all key stakeholders (i.e. government line ministries, district representatives and village headmen). The Ra ICM plan (2015-2020) was endorsed by the Ra Provincial Council and the National ICM sub-committee of the National Environment Council in September 2016; and was officially launched in August 2018.

Building on Ra’s experience, RESCCUE supported the development of the Kadavu ICM plan (2017-2022), which was endorsed by the Kadavu Provincial Council in September 2018.

RESCCUE planned on performing ecological restoration and erosion control activities through Nature-based Solutions (NbS) such as mangrove replanting, reforestation, nurseries and agroforestry pilot farm development.

In addition, the project led management activities of marine and freshwater areas so as to mitigate riverbank erosion.  These activities consisted in planting vetiver grass, pineapple and native tree species. It also included awareness raising sessions, mapping exercise and the organisation of a marine biological monitoring training.

Community involvement and environmental awareness and education sessions were integrated in the roll out of all ecological restoration and erosion control activities. While giving community members a sense of tangible and visible achievement and appropriation, it also promoted trans-generational bonds. In the meanwhile, local communities strengthened their capacities by learning new restoration techniques including the planting of firebreaks of customary taboo trees amongst reforested areas, and the mixing of culture of high value exotic species with native species.

In November 2018, a lessons-learnt workshop was held, gathering representatives of the Department of Environment, SPC RESCCUE coordinators, implementing partners (IAS USP, Wildlife Conservation Society, Fiji Environment Law Association and Conservation International) as well as local stakeholders from the Kadavu and Ra provinces (Roko Tui, provincial authorities and technical officers from fisheries and agriculture services). The purpose of this workshop was to articulate the lessons learned and formulate advice and inputs into future projects. 

The ICM development process involved community engagement. Using participatory approaches to develop root-cause analysis and to consolidate village action plans at district levels. These activities were critical to account for communities’ knowledge, concerns and hopes. This participatory process was developed in line with local cultural protocols, respecting traditional leadership and decision-making processes. RESCCUE cautiously ensured reaching community consensus.