Media planning meeting: As a result of this training, media and radio personnel, as well as Kanyeelang (female traditional communicators), are equipped with knowledge on forest laws and the dangers of deforestation, for their own dissemination of information. Both groups have been instrumental in the dissemination of information to communities at a wider scope. Kanyeeleng (who are mainly women) were particularly important for the project as they are a unique group that share messages through song and theatricals, and are greatly trusted and respected within society. It was observed by community members during the evaluation process that the start-up of this project was difficult, because many were, largely as a result of the ongoing conflict of the region, distrustful of an initiative which appeared to want to restrict access to parts of the forest. Those who were using the forest for their individual benefits through illegal logging, as well as cattle owners who wanted places to graze their cattle, were extremely resistant, to the extent that some were even lobbying people from the villages to boycott the project. In addition to the encouragement of the Kanyeelang, a series of successful radio talk-back programmes were held which in which a large number of people participated and shared and resolved some of the doubts that were initially being expressed about community forest management and preservation. In addition, it was revealed that many people expressed doubts about the likely success of the project because they did not see how communities could be brought together effectively. The Kaneeylang were crucial in addressing this doubt, disseminating relevant messages about community forest management and preservation. A sense of community ownership of the forests has been strengthened and people now understand that the forests truly and legally, with the backing of the law, belong to the community, and that they will in years be able to enjoy the benefits if a concerted effort is made now. The success of involving media actors to disseminate information about the concept of community forests has led to other communities in the region (outside of those involved in the project) positively talking about the project, to the extent that, as previously mentioned, other villages are approaching the project, hoping to be involved. Village sensitization: Village sensitization activities were carried out to discuss with village residents their roles in the protection of the forest and its resources, and how they could help in the promotion of the initiative. House-to-house meetings took place and Kaneeyleng used local songs to transmit GROUP OF KANEEYLANG messages about the need to protect the forest and to reject illegal logging. The technique of using these traditional communicators enabled the project to reach a wider area of the district around 25 villages (about 1960 people) - and proved very effective and efficient as it reached people who might not attend workshops or community meetings. Other sensitization activities were held in the four villages linked to the Koudioube Community Forest. Step-down training was carried out in which 120 people (exact gender breakdown not known, but the majority of participants were women) participated between the months of May and April 2012, on various aspects of forest protection and conservation.
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