At the end of November 2024, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) (BIOFUND), in partnership with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), held the 7th edition of the Financial Planning and Management Training. For the first time, the course was led by the BIOFUND Finance and Administration Directorate team, composed of Fenias Nhari and Celina Citole. The training brought together 39 technicians from 14 Public Conservation Areas, ANAC, and project implementation partners funded by BIOFUND, aiming to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in financial management.

Participants deepened their knowledge of financial planning, with emphasis on developing activity plans and identifying eligible and ineligible expenses. Topics covered included contract management, compliance with fiscal regulations, and the use of tax-accepted documents. Additionally, the importance of tools such as bank reconciliation was highlighted to ensure accuracy in budget execution.

The training reinforced the integration of planning and monitoring as an essential practice to align planned objectives with financial execution. Another notable point was the recognition of rangers in Conservation Areas, acknowledging and highlighting the indispensable role of these professionals in protecting the parks and addressing challenges they face, such as the lack of adequate social benefits. These issues were forwarded to ANAC, demonstrating a commitment to improving working conditions.

Through this initiative, BIOFUND and ANAC reaffirm their commitment to strengthening sustainable management of Conservation Areas and ensuring biodiversity conservation, contributing to Mozambique’s sustainable development.

This program represents another step in technical capacity-building for the responsible management of natural resources, consolidating the role of Conservation Areas as pillars of environmental balance and economic progress.