ZAVECO: building resilience in Zanzibar through integrated conservation and sustainable livelihoods
Community, innovation and livelihoods at the heart of coastal resilience
In Zanzibar, where coastal ecosystems are under increasing pressure from climate change, population growth and economic vulnerability, innovative and community-driven approaches are essential to ensure long-term sustainability. Among the most impactful initiatives on the ground, ZAVECO stands out as a model of integrated environmental conservation and livelihood development.
Founded in 2017, ZAVECO has engaged more than 3,500 local and international volunteers and planted over 3 million mangrove seedlings, combining direct environmental action with education, awareness , sports and economic empowerment. However, what makes ZAVECO particularly relevant in today’s blue economy discourse is not only what they do, but how they do it.
Their approach goes beyond traditional conservation models. It is built on a structured framework that ensures active community engagement at every stage. As explained by Saadati, Khatib a Program Officer, part of the ZAVECO team, the process starts with community identification and baseline assessment, followed by awareness raising and capacity building on key topics such as ecosystem services, climate change and mangrove restoration. Conservation activities are then co-designed with local communities, implemented collectively and supported by parallel actions aimed at strengthening livelihoods.
Our uniqueness lies in combining community engagement, science and sustainable development in locally led approaches.
One of the most interesting examples is their work on sustainable mangrove restoration techniques. While many programmes in Zanzibar rely on plastic materials for nursery preparation, ZAVECO has introduced the use of coconut shells as planting containers. This simple but effective solution not only avoids negative impacts on soil health, but also improves mangrove survival rates, as the shells naturally decompose and enrich the soil with nutrients over time.
At the same time, ZAVECO focuses its conservation efforts on vulnerable species such as iron wood mangroves and cannonball mangroves, which are currently under significant pressure.
Mikoko Urithi Wetu: when conservation becomes community identity
One of the most powerful elements of ZAVECO’s work lies in its ability to transform conservation into a shared community responsibility. The creation of the group “Mikoko Urithi Wetu” – Mangroves are Our Heritage, now involving around 300 members, represents a concrete example of how environmental action becomes truly effective when it is rooted in people. Here, conservation is not imposed, but co-created, practiced and passed on. Weekly mangrove planting activities, awareness sessions led by community members and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange demonstrate how collective ownership can turn local initiatives into long-term movements.
This approach strongly resonates with the vision of Blue Life Hub, where sustainable development is not only a technical or economic process, but a human-centered pathway built on networks, participation and shared responsibility. Bringing people together, strengthening local identity and enabling communities to become active drivers of change is what ultimately ensures that conservation efforts are not temporary projects, but lasting transformations.
Diversification as a strategy: reducing pressure on ecosystems through livelihoods
ZAVECO’s experience clearly shows that environmental sustainability cannot be separated from economic realities. For decades, coastal communities in Zanzibar have relied heavily on mangrove forests for fuel, timber and construction materials, creating increasing pressure on these ecosystems. Addressing this challenge requires not only conservation measures, but also viable economic alternatives.
Through its programmes, ZAVECO supports the development of diversified livelihoods such as beekeeping, ecotourism and small-scale enterprises, reducing dependency on natural resources while strengthening local resilience. This integrated approach reflects a key principle of the blue economy: sustainability is achieved when environmental protection and economic opportunities grow together.
Mushroom farming: innovation for sustainable income and ecosystem protection
A particularly innovative example of this approach is the introduction of sustainable mushroom farming through the project “Strengthening Coastal Livelihoods through Sustainable Mushroom Farming to Conserve Mangrove Forests”, implemented in partnership with PELUM Tanzania and supported by Brot für die Welt.
By promoting oyster mushroom cultivation as a high-yield and environmentally friendly activity, ZAVECO is providing coastal communities with a concrete alternative to resource extraction. The initiative targets key community groups such as Mikoko Urithi Wetu, Uvivu si Mtaji and Tuhurumiane Cooperative, combining technical training with entrepreneurship and local innovation.
The project has already delivered tangible results, including a baseline assessment involving over 100 community members and an intensive Training of Trainers programme for 50 participants. These trained individuals are now expected to transfer knowledge to hundreds of additional beneficiaries, creating a multiplier effect that could reach over 1,600 people.
Mushroom production systems are designed using locally available and sustainable materials such as coconut husks and mud, reinforcing the circular and low-impact nature of the initiative. At the same time, efforts are underway to establish market linkages with the tourism sector, ensuring economic viability and long-term sustainability.
ZAVECO’s experience demonstrates that resilience is not built through single interventions, but through integrated systems that connect environment, economy, and community. In a rapidly changing world, this kind of approach represents not only a local success story but a replicable model for coastal development across the Mediterranean, Africa, and beyond.
ZAVECO is not just restoring mangroves. It is building the foundations for a more resilient and inclusive blue economy.
ZAVECO: building resilience in Zanzibar through integrated conservation and sustainable livelihoods.
