Phase 2: Engagement

1. MCA Field Guide: English | Spanish
2. MCA Field Guide Checklist
3. Phase 2: Engagement Checklist
4. 2.1 Team selected
5. 2.2 Plan developed
6. 2.3 Ideas exchanged
7. 2.4 Agreement verified

In the engagement phase of a Marine Conservation Agreement (MCA) project, the lead conservation organization leads a team to discuss the project concept with the right-holder of the lands, resources or ecosystem services that are targeted for conservation. This phase generally takes one to six months and sets the stage and ground rules for Phase 3 in which the lead conservation organization designs and negotiates the MCA.

The purpose of the engagement phase is to present what an MCA is and how it works to the right-holders, who are likely direct stakeholders and potential counterparts in the project. During some projects, it may be useful to arrange trips or exchange visits with right-holders to show the negative impacts of resource destruction in degraded areas or the benefits of MCAs at successful project sites. This may be particularly useful in remote areas where such impacts have yet to be felt.

First Sub-step

The sub-steps for engagement are mostly in chronological order, although several may already be completed or easy to complete if the lead conservation organization and the right-holders are already working together on other initiatives. If successful, engagement ends with a mutual decision to proceed with formulation of specific agreement terms.

Proceed to 2.1 Select Team

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