The ALBATROSS 2nd General Assembly concluded after two intense and rewarding days in Morondava. This meeting was more than just a formal gathering — it was an opportunity to deepen our understanding of local realities and strengthen our relationships with partner communities.

Our journey began in Faratenina, in the municipality of Belo sur Mer, where we gained first-hand insight into the daily challenges and opportunities that shape community resilience. Later that day, we paid a courtesy visit to the local authorities in Belo sur Mer. Their warm welcome and openness reinforced the vital role of collaboration between institutions and communities in building sustainable solutions.

On the second day, we travelled to Marofihitsa in the commune of Belo sur Mer, where we participated in a focus group discussion with community members. This dialogue emphasized community expectations for climate services and the ways in which locally grounded approaches could better support adaptation. Afterwards, we visited community-managed mangrove nurseries, witnessing their commitment to restoring these vital ecosystems firsthand. We concluded the day by symbolically planting mangrove propagules together, as a reminder that solutions for climate and nature must grow directly from the people and places most affected.

These two days emphasized an important fact: sustainable solutions cannot be designed from afar. They must be co-created alongside communities, who possess the knowledge and vision required to shape a resilient future.