This week, Community Based Organisations all over Botswana gathered at Maun Lodge to discuss the establishment of the CBNRM Support Association for Botswana (CSABO) in Botswana. The Community-Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) has been one of Botswana’s most significant approaches to promoting biodiversity conservation while improving rural livelihoods through sustainable use of natural resources.
Over the years, however, the programme has faced numerous challenges, including weak governance, inadequate technical support, limited institutional capacity, poor business management, and ineffective implementation structures. These bottlenecks have reduced the ability of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) to fully realize the economic and conservation benefits of CBNRM. In response to these challenges, the National CBNRM Forum has proposed the establishment of the CBNRM Support Association for Botswana (CSABO) as a national institution dedicated to revitalizing and strengthening the CBNRM programme.
CSABO is envisioned as an independent support organization that will provide strategic guidance, technical assistance, advocacy, and institutional support to CBOs across Botswana. Although its registration has been delayed pending consultations with government stakeholders, the association remains a critical reform intended to reposition CBNRM for long-term sustainability. Rather than replacing existing government structures, CSABO will complement them by providing continuous support to community institutions and ensuring that they become viable, accountable, and business-oriented organizations capable of managing natural resources effectively.
One of CSABO’s primary responsibilities will be to advocate for policies that strengthen community rights over natural resources while influencing national legislation and government policies that support CBNRM principles. The association will also play a central role in building the capacity of CBOs through training in governance, financial management, leadership, entrepreneurship, natural resource management, and sustainable tourism development. By strengthening local institutions and developing competent community leaders, CSABO will improve the performance and accountability of CBOs.
CSABO will further serve as a platform for networking and collaboration among communities, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, research institutions, and development partners. Through research, monitoring, and evaluation, the association will generate evidence to improve CBNRM policies and practices while documenting lessons and best practices from across the country. It will also provide technical support on land-use planning, wildlife management, legal compliance, conflict resolution, and climate resilience.
An equally important function of CSABO will be resource mobilization. The association will assist communities in accessing funding from government programmes, international donors, conservation organizations, and climate financing mechanisms. It will also promote sustainable livelihood opportunities through ecotourism, natural products, conservation enterprises, and other community-based businesses that create employment and reduce poverty.
The justification for establishing CSABO is compelling. The existing Technical Advisory Committees (TACs), established under the 2007 CBNRM Policy to oversee programme implementation at district level, have struggled to provide adequate technical and institutional support to CBOs due to capacity and operational limitations. CSABO is therefore proposed as a specialized institution dedicated entirely to supporting community-based natural resource management.
By incubating new CBOs, revitalizing struggling organizations, strengthening governance, promoting transparency, and fostering inclusive participation of women, youth, and indigenous communities, CSABO has the potential to transform Botswana’s CBNRM programme into a more resilient, equitable, and economically sustainable model. Its establishment represents a significant opportunity to secure both rural livelihoods and the country’s rich natural heritage for future generations.
