To build foundational knowledge and practical capacity in Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) across the Commonwealth through an interactive, expert-led online training course. The course aimed to equip participants with the skills and understanding necessary to support effective MPA planning, implementation, and adaptive management.
HMC, in collaboration with the Commonwealth Blue Charter, successfully delivered over 20 hours of targeted online training to 64 participants from 19 Commonwealth countries. The course blended taught modules, guest speaker insights, breakout group discussions, and quizzes to reinforce learning.
The course addressed the following key themes:
Practical exercises included developing MPA vision statements, SMART management objectives, and action plans, all of which encouraged peer-to-peer learning and direct application of the knowledge.
This initiative was developed in support of the Apia Commonwealth Ocean Declaration and delivered in partnership between HMC and the Commonwealth Blue Charter.
Participants benefited from talks by expert practitioners in MPA designation, sustainable financing, management effectiveness, and adaptive approaches. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the interactive sessions, which allowed participants to explore challenges and solutions with peers from across the Commonwealth.
Quiz results confirmed that learning objectives were met, with high levels of engagement, understanding, and application observed throughout the course.
Looking forward
Participant feedback gathered through quizzes, end-of-course surveys, and live discussions highlighted the need for practical resources to put their new knowledge into action, such as templates for management planning, monitoring, and communication as well as more hands-on, applied training. Priority areas identified by participants included MPA management planning, sustainable financing, and the use of Marine Spatial Planning (MSP) to deliver sustainable blue economies.
These insights provide a clear roadmap for strengthening MPA governance and effectiveness, ensuring future support is both relevant and impactful across diverse Commonwealth settings.
If you would like to learn more about HMC’s MPA and MSP training services for governments, NGOs and private sector, please get in touch.
The Blue Planet Fund (BPF), funded by UK Official Development Assistance (ODA), will contribute to the UK’s pledge to provide £3 billion of...
HMC worked with the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) to develop a pioneering Sustainable Blue Economy Transition Framework. The Transition Framework has been developed...
The Gulf of Thailand is a vital marine ecosystem which supports livelihoods and food security across the region, yet it faces mounting pressures...