The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in partnership with the National Administration for Conservation Areas (ANAC), on Monday, 24 August, launched a training programme on Community Governance, Planning and Financial Management for community members from four Community Conservation Areas (CCAs) in Maputo City. The training runs until 28 August and is part of BIOFUND and ANAC’s strategy to empower and more actively engage communities in biodiversity management and protection.

This is one of the first initiatives of its kind at the grassroots level, aimed at strengthening community capacities to ensure more robust, transparent and accountable management of the resources and responsibilities associated with community conservation initiatives, including future Result Based Payment mechanisms. Representatives from the Monte Mabu CCA in Zambézia, Mwai in Maputo Province, Chipanje Chetu in Niassa, and Zumbo in Tete are participating in the initiative.

On the first day, the focus was on good community governance practices, with participants sharing experiences and challenges related to the management of their respective areas. Over the five days, the training will also cover project financial management, procurement procedures, budget execution and accountability.

The training also provides an opportunity for communities to exchange experiences and learn from one another, helping to consolidate lessons from community conservation initiatives supported under the Biodiversity Conservation Programme, funded by the Government of Sweden through the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA).

Dionel Nhavene, a member of the Chipanje Chetu Community Conservation Area, highlighted the importance of the training in strengthening community management: “We hope to learn new ways of planning, managing financial resources more responsibly, and ensuring transparent accountability.”

Mandla Tembe, from the Mwai CCA, considers the training an opportunity to improve management practices within his community: “Taking part in this training is an opportunity to gain knowledge that will be important for the work we do in our community. We hope that, by the end of the training, we will be able to apply this knowledge to make the management of the Mwai CCA increasingly organized, transparent and participatory.”

This training reflects BIOFUND’s ongoing commitment to strengthening community capacities and promoting the sustainability of Community Conservation Areas, while laying the foundations for future initiatives and opportunities to support community based conservation.

Follow the progress of this initiative on our digital platforms and stay up to date with the key moments, experiences and lessons emerging from the training.