In Antsiranana, the closure of the "Regenerative Seascapes for People, Climate and Nature" (ReSea) project took a forward-looking turn with a Blue Entrepreneurship Fair held on the esplanade of Place Foch. For two days, ten groups from coastal communities in Antsiranana-II, predominantly composed of women, presented their products, expertise and activities developed around marine and coastal resources.

But behind the fair's atmosphere, a fundamental question emerges: what will remain of ReSea once the project officially ends? The real assessment will now depend on beneficiaries' ability to transform project gains into sustainable economic activities.

Inscribed in the Great Blue Wall initiative and funded by the Canadian government, ReSea has supported coastal communities across several Indian Ocean and East African countries, including Madagascar, Comoros, Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique. In Antsiranana-II, the project focused on groups engaged in various value chains linked to the blue economy.

The fair showcased products from fish processing, crab fattening and shrimp transformation. "Laoko sira," "saly maiky," "drakatra" and "makamba rano" illustrate the commitment to locally valorizing resources and creating greater value within communities.

Meetings with buyers, financial institutions, technical partners, public authorities and the general public should enable beneficiaries to seek new outlets and consolidate their activities. The real challenge lies between supported initiatives and genuinely viable economic activity. Production alone is insufficient. Groups must regularly sell products, improve quality, ensure preservation and packaging, access financing and structure marketing channels.

For women in coastal communities, this challenge carries particular significance. Consolidating a group, accessing regular buyers or obtaining financing can strengthen their economic autonomy with ripple effects beyond beneficiaries, notably at household and local economy levels.

In Diana region, where many communities depend directly on the sea and its resources, this question is far from secondary. Fishing, processing, commerce, tourism and other coastal activities constitute significant economic potential. Yet between available resources and revenues actually captured by local populations, several links need strengthening.

The challenge is also environmental. Marine ecosystem protection cannot be sustainable if dependent communities lack viable economic activities. Conversely, economic activity degrading resources compromises its own future. The challenge is creating value while preserving ecosystems.

ReSea seeks to evolve communities' role, transitioning from beneficiary status to actors of their own development. Equipment provided, technical training and support represent tangible gains. But their true value will be measured by their capacity to produce effects after project completion.

Sara Emery, ReSea program manager for Madagascar and Comoros, notes that the sale of nearly all products presented by groups is already an encouraging sign. For her, this dynamic opens "the beginning of new adventures" for communities, particularly around ecosystem protection and preservation.

"ReSea's closure should not be considered an end, but a relay handoff. The next challenge will be maintaining momentum, expanding outlets, mobilizing financing and enabling activities to progressively gain autonomy," she stated.

In Antsiranana, the fair raised the question of what comes after the project. The sea is both a resource to preserve and a potential for activities, employment and income. The challenge will now be sustaining this dynamic beyond ReSea.