Photo: Kurt Arrigo/Ocean Image Bank
The Western Indian Ocean Marine Protected Area Network (WIOMPAN) is preparing for an exciting cycle of capacity-building and professional development events across the Western Indian Ocean (WIO). Between 2026 and 2027, WIOMPAN will host a series of exchanges, certification events, and training programmes designed to strengthen the skills, leadership, and effectiveness of MPA and LMMA practitioners across the region. These initiatives reflect WIOMPAN’s mission to support a competent, connected, and resilient marine conservation workforce.
Below is a look at what practitioners can expect in the coming year.
WIOMPAN Regional Exchange – Enforcement Focus
📍 Mombasa, Kenya
📅 February 2026
The first major event of the year is the WIOMPAN Regional Exchange on Enforcement — a hands-on, practitioner-driven learning space designed to strengthen intelligence-led patrols, evidence handling, and compliance strategies. Through peer learning, field demonstrations, and real-world scenario discussions, the exchange responds directly to one of the region’s most pressing management challenges: proactive and coordinated marine law enforcement.
WIO-COMPAS French Certification Event (Level 1 & 2)
📍 Nosy Be, Madagascar
📅 May 2026
This bilingual certification event offers francophone practitioners a structured professional assessment pathway through the WIO-COMPAS framework. Candidates undergo interviews, portfolio reviews, and scenario-based evaluations to demonstrate their competencies in operations, compliance, stakeholder engagement, planning, and adaptive management. Strengthening professional recognition in francophone countries, this event helps build a more capable and confident MPA workforce across the WIO.
Regional Introductory and Managers MPA Course
📍 Mozambique
📅 August 2026
A cornerstone of WIOMPAN’s training portfolio, this course provides foundational and advanced competencies for early-career practitioners and site managers. Aligned with the WIO-COMPAS Level 2 framework, the course covers essential themes such as MPA planning, governance, community engagement, sustainable finance, climate resilience, and enforcement. Through expert-led sessions and applied exercises, participants gain the minimum body of knowledge needed to lead outcome-focused conservation programmes.
WIO-COMPAS Portuguese Certification Event (Level 1)
📍 Mozambique
📅 August 2026
Building on the success of earlier events, the Portuguese Level 1 certification offers lusophone practitioners a fully accessible and inclusive competency assessment. Delivered in Portuguese, the event evaluates operational competencies including ecological monitoring, patrolling, community engagement, and day-to-day site management. This certification strengthens professionalism and expands opportunities for practitioners in Mozambique and other Portuguese-speaking WIO countries.
WIO-COMPAS Regional Certification Event (Level 1 & 2)
📍 Location: To be confirmed
📅 April 2027
Closing the cycle of regional initiatives, the WIO-COMPAS Regional Certification Event will bring together practitioners from across the WIO for Level 1 and Level 2 competency assessments. Through interviews, portfolio reviews, and scenario-based exercises, candidates demonstrate their operational and managerial capabilities. This event plays a critical role in strengthening professional standards and fostering career progression across the entire marine conservation community.
A Strengthened Regional Workforce for Effective Ocean Conservation
Across 2026 and 2027, WIOMPAN’s training and certification initiatives will collectively contribute to a more skilled, connected, and empowered community of practitioners. By combining peer learning, structured assessments, and hands-on capacity development, these events strengthen not only individual competencies but also the region’s shared ability to deliver effective, inclusive, and resilient marine conservation.
Learn more here: Upcoming WIOMPAN initiatives
