REDES IBO – Culture and nature as strategic resources for the local development, community participation and good management of Ibo District
A project that connects and strengthen the local entities that work for sustainable tourism and natural resources conservation through participation, training courses and architectural restoration interventions. We want to enhance the most precious resources the Quirimbas Archipelago (in Mozambique), which is one of the last natural heavens on Earth, enshrines: unique natural beauties and a priceless cultural heritage.
The Quirimbas National Park, in Northern Mozambique, hides a treasure: Ibo Island, rich in biodiversity and characterized by an artistic and cultural heritage made of antique colonial architecture, like the Fortaleza de São João Batista. Yet, the tourists that visit this remote paradise are still a few and the community and the local institutions lack in resources management skills.
Ibo population has to deal with climatic instability and overfishing: fishing, on which local economy has always been based, is no longer able to support families’ needs. For this reason tourism is a relevant alternative: community, sustainable and inclusive initiatives promotion, through the relaunch of this destination in the international market, can foster the socio-economic growth of the island.
Redes means network: the project strengthen the collaboration between communities, institutions, tour operators and small entreprises, encouraging dialogue and providing training opportunities. Our aim is to join efforts for a coordinated and joint promotion of Ibo, managed by people who live in the Archipelago and based on the protection and enhancement of the island resources, both natural and cultural.
We support associations and small entrepreneurs in the development of touristic, cultural and environmental offer; we provide trainings on tourism, handicraft, business management and cooking in collaboration with the Escola de Oficios de Ibo.
We restore some areas of the town, like the Fortaleza, that will become a cultural centre, and the botanical-educational centre, neglected for a long time, that will have a green public oasis.
Kids take part to the project too, with educational activities and games: being aware of the value of one’s own territory resources is important since a young age.
This project is funded by