Recently, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and Commercial Investment Bank (BCI) awarded one of the 2023 bio Card users.

The winner, Clarina, from Maputo Province, had the privilege of enjoying a unique experience alongside her husband. As part of the prize, she visited Maputo National Park (PNAM), one of the country’s Conservation Areas, where she was also treated to an overnight stay at an eco-resort and received sustainable gifts. Accompanied by teams from BIOFUND, BCI, and PNAM, Clarina embarked on an unforgettable safari, exploring breathtaking landscapes and observing the park’s rich wildlife. Among the highlights were encounters with the majestic elephant, one of Park’s most iconic species.

“It was an incredible and unique experience,” said Clarina Rodrigues. “Nature in its purest form and the chance to see elephants up close is something I will never forget.” Her husband, equally touched, emphasized the importance of promoting more initiatives like this, which not only bring people closer to nature but also raise greater awareness about the need to protect the environment.

Marta Aduge, Monitoring and Evaluation intern at BIOFUND, also shared her satisfaction: “Seeing the impact this initiative has on people and how the bio Card is helping conserve several important species and ecosystems is truly rewarding.”

For the BCI team visiting PNAM for the first time, this direct contact with nature was very important in strengthening awareness about biodiversity conservation.

Launched in 2017, the bio Card is Mozambique’s first biodegradable card and already has more than 37,222 users. This innovative initiative stems from a partnership between BCI and BIOFUND, through which, as part of its social responsibility policy, BCI allocates a percentage of the annual fee and card usage to support biodiversity conservation projects nationwide through BIOFUND. Thanks to this initiative, several conservation projects have already been funded, including the protection of rhinos, Raphia australis (a rare species found in Bobole), and the conservation of sea turtles in the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago Environmental Protection Area (APAIPS).

Currently, other important projects are underway, such as the conservation of Eduardo Mondlane University’s Botanical Garden, the identification of bird species in Banhine National Park, the fitting of collars on elephants to improve monitoring of their migrations in Moamba District, as well as the implementation of innovative sustainable electricity and water solutions in Cabo São Sebastião, and strengthened efforts to combat pangolin trafficking in Chimanimani National Park.