From capacity building to community agency : Developing an endogenous solidarity tourism framework in Ambatolahy, Madagascar

ABSTRACT This study examines the strategic operationalization of solidarity-based tourism within the fokontany of Ambatolahy, Madagascar, positioning it as a fundamental driver for rural empowerment and socio-economic resilience. Amidst the dual imperatives of environmental conservation and poverty alleviation, the research investigates the transition from traditional subsistence to an integrated tourism value chain. Central to this inquiry is an evaluative analysis of the VARUNA project’s capacity-building initiatives, specifically focusing on linguistic acquisition and interpretive guiding as essential levers for human capital valorization. Utilizing a qualitative methodological framework—comprising territorial diagnostics and semi-structured stakeholder interviews—the findings reveal that technical proficiency significantly correlates with increased individual agency and psychological empowerment. Furthermore, the study delineates a decentralized governance model, mediated by the local community organization (Vondron’Olona Ifotony), designed to ensure equitable revenue distribution and cultural integrity. By contrasting this endogenous approach with established institutional and collective benchmarks, the article argues that Ambatolahy offers a scalable paradigm for sustainable development. Ultimately, this research contributes to the discourse on solidarity tourism by demonstrating how the alignment of professional training with localized entrepreneurial structures can foster long-term structural autonomy in biodiversity-rich peripheral regions. Key words: Solidarity tourism, human capital, value chain optimization, sustainable rural development.