Investing in Women, Building Resilient Coasts: ReSea Project Marks Major Milestones in Pemba

Last week, the Executive Director of Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT) joined partners from Mission Inclusion and IUCN Tanzania in welcoming H.E. Emily Burns, High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania, to Pemba for an official visit to the ReSea Project.

The visit marked key milestones in the implementation of the ReSea Project in Tanzania. It included the handover of productive equipment to community-based, women-led Blue Economy Enterprise (BEE) groups. It also marked the official launch of the Chamanangwe Community Learning Centre.

Women at the Centre of Blue Economy Transformation

Speaking during the handover ceremony, WFTT Country Director Rose Marandu highlighted the transformative role of investing in women. She noted that when women are given access to training, productive assets, mentorship, networks, and leadership opportunities, they do not only improve their livelihoods. They also strengthen families, create jobs, build community resilience, and support environmental stewardship.

She emphasized that women-led enterprises are growing, and women are increasingly participating in community decision-making processes, organizing collectively to advocate for their rights, challenge harmful social norms, and claim spaces previously inaccessible to them.

“These are not small achievements; they are important steps toward transformative change,” she said. Rose Marandu further stressed that building an inclusive and sustainable blue economy requires continued investment in women—not only as beneficiaries, but as leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, and agents of change.

**Canada’s Support for Climate-Resilient Communities ** During the visit, H.E. Emily Burns, High Commissioner of Canada to Tanzania, reaffirmed Canada’s support for the ReSea Project. She stated that Canada is proud to support the initiative through Partnering for Climate, which promotes community-led and gender-responsive adaptation.

She noted that across the Tanga–Pemba Seascape, communities are strengthening climate resilience through blue economy enterprises and the new Community Learning Centre, while protecting the ecosystems they depend on.

Launch of the Chamanangwe Community Learning Centre

The visit also featured the official launch of the Chamanangwe Community Learning Centre. The centre will serve as a hub for capacity building, knowledge exchange, innovation, and learning on Nature-based Solutions for Adaptation (NbSA).

It will support communities, local leaders, and stakeholders in developing practical solutions that strengthen climate resilience while conserving coastal ecosystems.

Andreanne Martel, ReSea Project Director at Mission Inclusion, highlighted the impact of the equipment handover.She explained that the equipment is now in the hands of women and youth leading blue economy initiatives in their communities.

Through the Government of Canada’s Partnering for Climate initiative, the ReSea Project has supported the establishment of 12 Blue Economy Enterprises and strengthened marine governance through 28 Beach Management Units (BMUs) and Shehia Fisheries Committees across the Tanga–Pemba Seascape.

The equipment will support key income-generating activities, including seaweed farming and processing, sea cucumber farming, crab fattening, and sardine processing.These interventions aim to strengthen sustainable livelihoods while promoting responsible use of marine resources.

Learning from Community During the visit, the ReSea team also engaged with women- and youth-led groups implementing blue economy initiatives.They visited Almujitahid Group in Chake Chake District, where members are engaged in crab fattening, seaweed value addition, and mangrove restoration. They also visited Tusijisahau Group in Mkoani District, which focuses on the seaweed value chain and mangrove ecosystem restoration through the Shidi Nature-based Solutions (NbS) demonstration site.

Building Long-Term Impact Beyond equipment provision, the ReSea Project continues to strengthen community capacity through technical mentorship, entrepreneurship training, market linkages, and ongoing business support.

To date, the project has strengthened 12 Blue Economy Enterprises, representing 259 members, the majority of whom are women and youth. It has also strengthened 28 Beach Management Units (BMUs) and Shehia Fisheries Committees, promoting inclusive participation in marine governance and sustainable coastal resource management.

About the ReSea Project

The Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature (ReSea) Project strengthens the resilience of coastal communities across Tanzania, Kenya, Mozambique, Madagascar, and Comoros.It promotes inclusive governance of marine and coastal ecosystems, nature-based climate solutions, and sustainable blue economy opportunities for women and youth.

In Tanzania, the project is implemented by Mission Inclusion, IUCN, and Women Fund Tanzania Trust (WFTT).