The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have formalised a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a cooperation framework to identify and implement joint projects on conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources in Mozambique, through specific agreements to be defined between the parties.

The memorandum was signed by Luther Bois Anukur, IUCN Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO), and Carlos dos Santos, Chair of the Board of Directors of BIOFUND.

On the occasion, the IUCN Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa (ESARO), Dr. Luther Bois Anukur, highlighted BIOFUND as one of Africa’s successful environmental funds. In turn, the Chair of the Board of Directors of BIOFUND, Carlos dos Santos, emphasised BIOFUND’s engagement to work with IUCN and explore synergies.

What the memorandum provides for

The document highlights the complementarity between the two institutions: IUCN brings experience and regional reach, while BIOFUND is described as one of Mozambique’s leading long-term funders of biodiversity conservation, supporting most national parks and reserves through multi-donor financing.

Among the areas of collaboration, the memorandum includes:

• Sustainable conservation financing, including mobilisation of innovative, long-term resources and the promotion of Nature-based Solutions across terrestrial, coastal and marine landscapes, with benefits for community livelihoods.
• Biodiversity and conservation areas, including the exchange of good practices and methodologies to strengthen effective management, participatory governance (with emphasis on local communities), and buffer zone management.
• Institutional strengthening and capacity development, including training, tools for sustainable management, and support for integrating young graduates into the sector.
• Scientific research and knowledge sharing, including dissemination of scientific results, methodologies and applied research initiatives, as well as data sharing and strengthening local capacity.
• Private sector engagement and advocacy/environmental policy, promoting sustainable business practices, voluntary commitments, and greater presence of Mozambican organisations in global platforms.
• Environmental education and awareness, including campaigns and community actions, with the involvement of youth and vulnerable groups.
• Strengthening the IUCN National Committee in Mozambique and integrating safeguards, gender equality and inclusion across all joint initiatives.

How the partnership will work

The memorandum states that cooperation will be implemented through Supplementary Agreements, which will specify responsibilities, results and financing for each initiative.

Annual senior management-level meetings are also foreseen, along with the designation of focal points to coordinate collaboration.

The MoU enters into force on the date of signature and has a duration of five years, renewable.

About BIOFUND and IUCN

BIOFUND is a Mozambican environmental fund—private, non-profit and with public utility status—whose mission is to support the conservation of terrestrial, coastal, aquatic and marine biodiversity, the sustainable use of natural resources, and the consolidation of the national system of conservation areas.

IUCN is a global union of governments and civil society organisations whose mission is to influence, encourage and assist societies to conserve the integrity and diversity of nature and to ensure that any use of natural resources is equitable and ecologically sustainable.