The LMMA Competency Framework and Assessment Tool was first developed by WIOMSA, drawing on the successful WIO-COMPAS model for certifying Marine Protected Area professionals. Unlike WIO-COMPAS, which certifies individuals, the LMMA tool was adapted to certify LMMA sites based on the collective capacity of their management committees. The tool was initially piloted in Kenya and later refined for the Madagascar context under the USAID Hay Tao Project in collaboration with MIHARI and local LMMA leaders. It offers a structured approach to assess site-level competencies and identify capacity gaps with a focus on five core areas:
- Governance and leadership
- Ecological monitoring and adaptive management
- Planning and enforcement
- Community participation and equity
- Financial and operational sustainability
To support implementation, a pool of certified assessors is needed.
In collaboration with the MIHARI Network, assessors in Madagascar have been trained by WIOMSA between 25th-28th March to be able to apply the tool, document site-level performance, and contribute to the national recognition and certification of LMMAs.
The trained assessors will lead LMMA site assessments which will be used to reveal strengths and gaps in the governance, ecological, social, and management capacities of LMMAs. It will identify where support is most needed—whether in leadership and decision-making, ecological monitoring, financial planning, or community engagement. These insights will guide the design of competence-based training interventions, ensuring they are targeted, relevant, and aligned with real-world needs on the ground.
In parallel, the MIHARI Network is leading a complementary programme to train LMMA trainers, who will deliver tailored capacity development interventions based on the gaps identified by assessors
This cycle of assessment, training, and certification forms the foundation of a scalable model to improve LMMA performance, empower local governance, and facilitate formal recognition. The approach will be consolidated into a national LMMA Capacity Development Programme, which will include assessment tools, standardized training modules, certification criteria, and mechanisms for ongoing monitoring and improvement.
