Institutional structure and the effectiveness of integrated conservation and development projects: Case study from Madagascar

The success of conservation efforts does not depend just on having a good project design. The notional and international resource management infrastructure plays an important role in enabling projects to meet their goals or in presenting barriers to effective implementation. A study of the institutional infrastructure for resource management in Madagascar has revealed that certain factors with regards to communication between institutional levels, the integration of national-level players at all phases of project design, and appropriate institutional development, for example - may encourage positive institutional interactions and as a consequence, effective integrated conservation and development projects (ICDP). This article considers the interlinked levels of political analysis, examining the relationship between institutional structure and effectiveness in meeting conservation objectives. It advocates the full participation of nationals in conservation initiatives and that individual projects be given the flexibility to develop innovative schemes and confront unintended circumstances at the local level.