The PWANI project builds on the previous experience and investments of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Coastal Resources Center (CRC) at the University of Rhode Island (URI), the Tanzania Coastal Management Partnership (TCMP), UZIKWASA, the Government of Tanzania, and other partners. This ecosystem-based management initiative targets the Northern Tanzania Seascape, stretching from Saadani National Park (SANAPA) and the Wami River estuary northward to Tanga and eastward to the Pemba Channel Conservation Area (PECCA) and Menai Bay Conservation Area, Zanzibar. Cross-cutting in nature, it recognizes that poverty, gender, climate change, population, and HIV/AIDS can be significant constraints to conservation. It also recognizes that implementation of an ecosystem-based program must be directed at catalyzing changes in human behavior. The overall goal of this project is to sustain the flows of environmental goods and services; reverse the trend of environmental destruction of critical coastal habitats; and improve the well being of coastal residentsinclusive of an HIV/AIDS wrap-around component.

The Northern Tanzania Seascape faces many threats to its biodiversity assets and challenges to its sustainable development. At the same time, coastal communities and businesses increasingly rely on these resources being healthyan essential factor in the ability of the resources to continue providing income, food, and trade opportunities at the national, regional, and global levels. Underlying drivers of ecosystem degradation include poverty, food security, gender inequity, and health. A high proportion of the coastal population on the mainland is HIV-positive, which has significant impacts on poverty and resource use. Of particular concern is the issue of migrant labor including 'mobile fishermen with money' who spread HIV/AIDS, and the continued pressure on women fish mongers to exchange sex for the exclusive right to purchase fish from a fishing boat.

Several of CRC's previously funded USAID projects have been leaders in integrating health/HIV-AIDS issues into conservation and provide PWANI with excellent models upon which to build. Anecdotal evidence indicates integrated interventions in the CRC target areas have lead to protective behavior change (e.g. increased condom use, less "sex for fish", and fewer temporary marriages between visiting fishermen and local women). Yet, problems remain. PWANI will continue to work with its local partner UZIKWASA to implement activities related to HIV/AIDS prevention and mitigation primarily in the communities adjacent to SANAPA and the larger Pangani district including coastal communities north of the Pangani River. The focus will be on HIV prevention and behavior change among fishing communities using interactive theater, radio, and other information/education/communication (IEC) materials, such as posters and leaflets. Behavior change will be promoted using messaging that mirror real-life issues/scenarios contributing to the spread of HIV in these communities. The issue surrounding unsafe sex, gender based violence and early forced marriages in coastal villages will be explicitly addressed using culturally appropriate messaging and communication channels.

PWANI will strengthen local governments, park units, and community groups that are essential in coordinating on-the-ground activities through training programs (e.g. MPA certification and fisheries peer-to-peer training) and mentoring. PWANI will also support implementation of village multi-sectoral AIDS action plan activities that encourage behavior change among visiting fishermen, and it will integrate sessions on HIV/AIDS and risky behaviors into the Mainland/Zanzibar collaborative fisheries management exchanges.

PWANI will also support approaches and actions that increase the resilience and social capital of the society's most vulnerable members (especially women and HIV/AIDS-affected households). Specific activities will include strengthening the critical role of women in fish marketing, identifying and strengthening value chain entry points for women in small-scale ecotourism activities, and training in jewelry-making, management of business, and responding to market changes and opportunities. URI will also link its Building Actors and Leaders for Advancing Community Excellence in Development (BALANCED) program with PWANI to develop and deliver integrated HIV/AIDS and broader reproductive health and family planning messages through peer educators and community-based distributers of family planning.

Linking PEPFAR programs to the NRM/EG program area will allow PEPFAR to expand its reach to underserved populations, building upon NRM partners' access to and partnership with rural populations. This wrap-around activity will leverage both human and financial resources as well as NRM/EG funding sources and partners, to complement PEPFAR goals and maximize the effectiveness of programs.

M&E Plans: Awards made under the NRM/EG program are subject to standard monitoring and evaluation protocols. This includes an M&E program design that tracks established indicators under the Performance Monitoring Plan and Operational Plan. NRM/EG staff will conduct field visits and data quality assessments in collaboration with USG PEPFAR colleagues.

Expand HIV prevention activities into Natural Resource Management partner activities, including work with high-risk fishing communities. Efforts will focus on building local capacity and ensuring sustainability of prevention activities. Coast region.

Expand HIV prevention activities into Natural Resource Management partner activities, including work with high-risk fishing communities. Efforts will focus on building local capacity and ensuring sustainability of prevention activities. Coast region.