In order to conserve coastal resources for the long term, the buy-in and motivation of local people is fundamental. C3’s focus on rural entrepreneurs addresses this challenge.

C3 has conducted business feasibility studies in conjunction with household surveys and focus group interviews to determine the best livelihoods for specific communities. Livelihoods take time to develop, especially in rural communities with a local level of education and financial literacy. We find that set-up, intensive monitoring, and ongoing support are required for a three-year term. This ensures that businesses are financially viable and sustainable.

C3 focuses heavily on the engagement and training of women, unemployed youth, and minority groups such as the LGBT community to provide employment opportunities close to home. This counteracts the constant emigration from rural communities to urban centres and prevents the associated ‘brain drain.’

In most of our partner communities, people are limited to fishing and farming, and often it is for subsistence purposes. Diversification of household income increases communities’ resilience to the impacts of climate change on dwindling fisheries. It also helps them provide for their families in times of environmental and economic shocks.

In just the past two years, C3 has established fifteen new rural enterprises, with at least fifty percent managed by women, and with a strong emphasis on unemployed youth. These businesses are financially viable.

In particular, the organic honey business is yielding substantial gains for the communities on a regular basis. Our next step is to assist our rural entrepreneurs in establishing a cooperative, developing professional packaging, and growing marketing. In this way, we shall secure a growing list of regular buyers, including exclusive resorts and restaurants.