Making members of the public more aware to encourage them to participate requires considerable initial work explaining the nature of a biosphere reserve. A communications plan needs to be drawn up targeting specific subjects and sectors of the public. However, nothing works better than human contact and working together over time on specific joint projects. These projects subsequently serve as examples of what can be achieved in a transfrontier biosphere reserve.

The more local people and opinion-formers are actively involved, the easier it will be to achieve the aim of ensuring that sustainable development to the greater benefit of all becomes an integral part of the local way of life.