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Education, ecology and cooperation: bringing the islands of the Indian Ocean closer together around biodiversity

O'Sphère & Sciences Réunion

Founded in 2017 in Réunion, O'SPHERE is an association dedicated to promoting natural, cultural, and historical heritage. It conducts environmental education, awareness-raising, and training activities, offering innovative mediation formats that foster a connection between people and nature. In 2019, O'SPHERE created Réunion's first Terrestrial Educational Area along the Bras de La Plaine river. Since then, it has coordinated several educational areas (terrestrial, riverine, forest, etc.) within a comprehensive project to protect the Bras de La Plaine watershed. A volunteer-run organization, it includes environmental specialists (hydrobiology, ichthyology, entomology, botany, etc.), enthusiasts (photographers, illustrators), and individuals with educational backgrounds. — Sciences Réunion is an association created in 1999 through the combined efforts of the Ministries of National Education and Research, and local authorities, with the aim of promoting and disseminating scientific, technical, and industrial culture to a very wide audience. To this end, it organizes various activities and outreach events for young people and the general public.

Context

Antsanitia Sciences

Since 2017, the O'SPHERE association has been committed to preserving natural environments through environmental awareness and education activities. It has partnered with CCSTI Sciences Réunion to leverage science as a tool and catalyst for education, ecosystem preservation, and combating the geographical isolation of the village community of Antsanitsia, near Majunga. Through educational and participatory initiatives, the project encourages youth engagement in biodiversity while promoting access to scientific culture.

Country: Madagascar
Location: Antsanitia
Sector of intervention:
Climate, Environment, Energy
Guild Endowment: €54,819
Project cost: €71,419
Project leader: O'Sphère and CCSTI Sciences Réunion

Project objectives

Raising awareness among young Malagasy people about local biodiversity
Strengthening local capacities for science outreach and environmental education
Reducing Antsanitia's geographical isolation through culture and science

Activities

Establishment of educational areas and ecological restoration projects
Organization of educational workshops on biodiversity
Broadcast of the Science Film Festival in Madagascar
Exchanges between Malagasy and Réunion educational stakeholders

Direct beneficiaries

Young people, teachers and residents of the village of Antsanitia mobilized
around biodiversity, scientific culture and education
to the environment

Expected results

An educational and ecological pilot site in Antsanitia
100 young people made aware of environmental issues
A lasting cultural bridge between Reunion Island and Madagascar

A dual support and funding mechanism for overseas civil society organizations, the CORÉOM program – Overseas Regional Cooperation – encourages regional and international cooperation dynamics among associations based in Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Mayotte, and Réunion. Financially supported by the French Development Agency (AFD) and the Fondation de France, CORÉOM is implemented by La Guilde, with a set of territorial networks and relay partners in the five territories.