The Evaluating Eden project aimed to address three overall research questions: What has CWM achieved for wildlife and for people? How do social, political, economic and environmental factors influence the efficacy of CWM? And, what are the key characteristics of successful CWM and how can these be spread? This document summaries the overall conclusions of the project, and synthesises and compares the discussion papers and regional reports (from Central and West Africa, East Africa, Southern Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, Central America, South America, Canada and Australia).

This volume examines community wildlife initiatives from a range of different contexts in the region of West and Central Africa and explores what can be learnt about the conditions necessary for community wildlife management and its spread. A case-study approach was used to focus on specific countries and initiatives including the Kilum-Ijum Forest, Cameroon; Okapi Wildlife Reserve and Garamba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Transition zone to the ‘W’ Region Biosphere Reserve, Niger; and Gashaka Gumti National Park, Nigeria. A framework was developed for analysing and comparing the case studies to establish the forces that constrain or enable the spread of CWM.

In many countries, efforts are being made to enhance involvement of rural communities and the poor in the tourism industry. Community involvement offers the prospect of enhanced rural development, conservation, and a more broadly-based tourism industry. However, experience to date has also thrown up many limitations and challenges. This paper explores some of those challenges and identifies strategies for addressing them, based on experiences in a range of countries. It aims to provide practical examples and an analysis of key issues for those who are also wrestling with the issues.