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Key features of ECARE are to increase and expand Vanuatu’s protected area coverage, effectiveness and sustainability through:

1. Greater protection of Vanuatu’s ocean: While work is still required on terrestrial ecosystems an enhanced focus on the marine sector would provide significant global environmental benefits given the size of Vanuatu’s EEZ. There is a clear opportunity to provide additional resources to commence a broadened focus on marine protected area planning and management in partnership with MACBIO.

2. Improved management effectiveness and financial sustainability: There is a clear opportunity for GEF funds to synthesize resources and information by taking experiences with pilot/model sites in baseline projects to develop best practices module for use nationwide with relevant training for end-users. Lessons have been learnt about how to work with local communities such as through the Critical Ecosystem Protection Fund (East Melanesian Island Hotspot programme) with particular local examples empowering local CSO’s. These lessons need to be drawn out and extended to include a wider range of communities to provide the comprehensive coverage needed to operate a national protected areas network.

There is also an opportunity to build a more complete information and evidence base – quantitative, technical, knowledge, to support decision making and management effectiveness Strategic prioritization for protected area establishment and support.