Anywaa Biosphere Reserve Management Plan (2026–2030)

Context and challenge

The assignment need.

Following the formal registration of the Anywaa Biosphere Reserve in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves, the existing management plan required revision to reflect current ecological, policy and socio-economic realities and to move the reserve from nomination-stage planning into an operational management model. The assignment had to balance biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, governance, research and learning while defining practical responsibilities, priorities, financing and risk-management arrangements for 2026–2030.

GRC approach

How the work was structured.

• Reviewed the previous management plan, nomination materials, UNESCO biosphere-reserve guidance and relevant national and regional documents.
• Conducted field observation, key informant interviews and stakeholder consultations to identify current priorities, institutional gaps and local knowledge relevant to reserve management.
• Structured the plan around biosphere-reserve zonation, governance, conservation, sustainable development, research and monitoring, institutional strengthening and implementation arrangements.
• Translated the evidence into time-bound objectives, action plans, roles and responsibilities, monitoring arrangements, financing considerations and risk-management measures.
• Prepared an implementation-oriented management framework designed to support coordinated action by government, communities, research institutions, civil society and development partners.

Value for the client

How the evidence could be used.

The assignment provided MELCA-Ethiopia and reserve stakeholders with an updated, implementation-oriented roadmap for managing a globally recognised bio-cultural landscape while linking conservation, community livelihoods, institutional capacity, research, monitoring and sustainable financing.