By Miguel de Barros

Nestled in the northern reaches of Guinea-Bissau’s Bijagós Archipelago lies Urok, a cluster of islands renowned for one of West Africa’s most biodiverse ecosystems. This coastal paradise is home to a wealth of natural treasures, including oysters, shells, migratory birds, mangrove forests, and secondary forests, along with abundant reserves of palm and seed oil. For the Urok people, these resources are not only ecological but deeply cultural, forming the foundation of their rituals and traditions. 

Yet, life in Urok has not been without challenges. The communities inhabiting the three islands – Formosa, Nago, and Chediã – have long grappled with socioeconomic hardships. Limited social protection, scant access to state services, and unreliable transport to the mainland left nearly 3,000 residents isolated, unable to fully utilize their natural resources or improve their livelihoods. Until not long ago, it could take weeks, even months, for a boat to come pick up travelers for the capital, Bissau.

In 1999-2000, recognizing the need for change, Tiniguena, a Guinea Bissau-based non-governmental organization (NGO), partnered with local leaders and external stakeholders to initiate a transformative process. Through extensive consultations across Urok’s 33 tabancas (villages), the goal was clear: to establish a sustainable framework that protected natural resources, bolstered livelihoods and food security, and preserved the cultural heritage of the Bijagós people. Instead of imposing external solutions, this initiative sought to revive traditional practices that had long sustained conservation efforts. Studies revealed a striking overlap between sacred zones of the Bijagós and ecologically sensitive areas, underscoring the conservation wisdom embedded in their culture. 

Pioneering community-managed conservation 

After years of collaboration and planning, this effort culminated in 2005 in the creation of Guinea-Bissau’s – and West Africa’s – first community-managed protected area: the Management Council of the Urok Locally-Managed Marine Area. Spanning 54,500 hectares, including over 3,000 hectares of vital mangrove forests, the Urok Marine Protected Area (MPA) established a multi-level governance system. This approach brought together indigenous communities, the National Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), and Tiniguena, which maintains a permanent presence on the islands. 

Inclusive representation is central to Urok’s governance model. Women and youth must hold at least one-fourth of all decision-making seats. The primary governing body, the Urok General Assembly (UGA), meets annually to make consensus-based decisions. It includes 160-180 representatives from Tabanca Management Committees, which represent villages across the MPA. Additionally, the assembly features representatives from Tiniguena, the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP), state technical institutions, the Directorate-General of Forests and Fauna (DGFF), and local government, along with observers from technical and financial partners. 

Decisions from the UGA are validated by the Urok Council of Elders (UCE), which ensures harmony between modern governance structures and Bijagó traditions. Drawing on their deep knowledge of local customs, the elders provide guidance to align conservation efforts with cultural values. Meanwhile, a Management Council convenes quarterly to assess sustainable development proposals, rotating meetings among the three islands to ensure inclusivity. At least one-third of representatives in these meetings must be women.

Empowering communities, building resilience 

The Urok model is rooted in empowering local communities by placing decision making in their hands. Governance structures – from village assemblies to the MPA management council – ensure that all stakeholders, including elders, women, youth, resource users, and state institutions, have a voice. 

By 2024, the participatory model expanded to include not only marine and coastal resources but also land-based resources, such as forests. It underscores the importance of local governance and cultural heritage in building long-term ecological and social resilience. 

Lessons for the future 

The Urok initiative demonstrates how community-driven governance can transform conservation into a tool for empowerment. By blending traditional knowledge with modern ecological management, it safeguards both biodiversity and cultural identity. Recognized by UNDP’s Equator Prize, Urok stands as a beacon of hope for regions facing the dual challenges of climate change and environmental degradation. 

This model offers a roadmap for protecting sacred sites, preserving ecosystems, and securing the well-being of future generations. The Bijagós people have not only reclaimed stewardship over their lands and waters but have also showcased the power of collaboration, resilience, and cultural pride. Their journey is a testament to how sustainable change begins when local voices lead the way.

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Miguel de Barros is an award-winning sociologist and activist from Guinea-Bissau. Since 2012, he has served as executive director of the Guinean NGO Tiniguena, dedicated to environmental preservation in Guinea-Bissau. He is also co-founder of the Amílcar Cabral Center for Social Studies – CESAC (Guinea-Bissau) and founder of Corubal, a cooperative for the dissemination of scientific and cultural works in the country. He was elected the most influential person of 2018 by the Confederation of West African Youth (CWAY), and in 2019 he received the Pan-African Humanitarian Award for Excellence in Research and Social Impact.

The publication of this article was facilitated by the Governance and Policy Support Unit of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO).