The FTNS also supports several activities aimed at promoting education, health conditions and human rights, cultural development.
It would be impossible to preserve biodiversity without addressing the needs of people living on the periphery of protected areas. To this end, the FTNS, through various projects and with the support of its partners, has facilitated several income-generating initiatives aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of the local populations of the TNS.
In terms of promoting social development, the FTNS also supports several activities aimed at promoting education, health conditions and human rights, cultural development. In this context:
Agriculture
- Training of local residents in the use of renewable agricultural techniques.
- Creation of several nurseries for the production of agricultural plants.
- Construction of storage and preservation infrastructures for non-timber agricultural and forest products (ovens and stores) were produced to boost local production.
These efforts reduce pressure on wildlife and floral resources while facilitating the economic development of the TNS.
Health
- The construction and equipment of several health centres (e.g Bayanga Health Centre)
- Provision of funding for the management of several medical personnel
- Support for the evacuation of serious cases to more appropriate health institutions
- Support for the organization of several awareness and screening campaigns
Education
- The construction and equipment of several schools.
- Support for the recruitment and management of school instructors and teachers.
- The award of scholarships and school supplies to several hundred students.
- Support for the reception of several academic trainees from various university institutes.
- Support for the organization of several awareness-raising campaigns for local populations (including Baka & BaAka parents) on the necessity to send their children to school.
Human Rights and Culture
- Support for the promotion of awareness-raising activities for local communities (including BaAkas) on human rights.
- Support for prosecutions in cases of human rights abuse.
- Support for the production of several communication materials on the rights and customs of indigenous peoples in the TNS.