The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) is participating in the 16th General Assembly of the African Consortium of Environmental Funds (CAFÉ), taking place from 28 September to 2 October in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau. The event brings together African Environmental Funds, government representatives, donors and other conservation partners.

The General Assembly provides a platform for dialogue, learning and experience-sharing on approaches to securing stable, predictable and sustainable resources for biodiversity conservation in Africa. It comes at a time when African countries are seeking to improve their ability to mobilize, manage and deploy resources for conservation.

During the opening ceremony, Guinea-Bissau’s Minister of Environment and Climate Action, Carlos Pinto Pereira, highlighted the need for a new approach to conservation funding, calling for greater leadership by African countries in the planning, design and management of conservation projects and funds. In his opening remarks, CAFÉ President Théophile Zognou similarly emphasized that Africa should not be viewed merely as a beneficiary of external support, but also as a partner, innovator and leader in shaping the future of sustainable conservation.

The opening session also highlighted the role of Environmental Funds in establishing accessible, predictable and sustainable financial mechanisms. CAFÉ currently brings together 21 Environmental Funds, with five additional funds expected to join by the end of the current General Assembly.

Another issue highlighted during the opening was the need to recognize communities as rights holders over natural resources, rather than merely as beneficiaries of conservation projects.

A co-founding member of CAFÉ since 2011, BIOFUND is represented by its Director of Innovative Finance, Sean Nazerali, and its Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Ernesto Chaúque. Mozambique is also represented by the Blue Economy Development Fund (ProAzul), whose Chairman of the Board, Osvaldo Pitersburgo, is participating in the meeting accompanied by Ivan Amade. ProAzul is a candidate fund for membership of the CAFÉ community, as part of the ongoing General Assembly.

Mentoring to support emerging Environmental Funds

On the second day of the conference, BIOFUND’s Director of Innovative Finance, Sean Nazerali, presented the mentoring programme for Environmental Funds, drawing on the Foundation’s experience accumulated over the past 15 years.

The programme provides specialised technical assistance to emerging Environmental Funds through support packages tailored to the specific needs of each fund. Through this initiative, BIOFUND aims to share the knowledge and experience accumulated over its 15 years of work, helping other Environmental Funds across the continent develop the systems, expertise and mechanisms needed to mobilize and manage resources sustainably.

The initiative also highlights the value of peer learning and knowledge-sharing in helping emerging Environmental Funds strengthen their institutional structures, processes and financial mechanisms.

Sustainable approaches to conservation

Throughout the General Assembly, participants are discussing sustainable resource mobilization, financial innovation, biodiversity conservation, partnerships and cooperation, with particular attention to coastal and marine ecosystems and the role of communities in managing and conserving natural resources.

The discussions also seek to deepen collaboration among African Environmental Funds and identify practical approaches to securing long-term resources for conservation. Particular attention is being given to diversifying funding sources and developing stronger institutional systems across the continent.

Mozambique’s participation in the forum also includes a delegation from the Blue Economy Development Fund (ProAzul), further strengthening the country’s presence in continental discussions on innovative resource mobilization, biodiversity conservation and the sustainable development of natural resources.

Through its participation in the 16th CAFÉ General Assembly, BIOFUND reaffirms its commitment to knowledge-sharing, collaboration among African Environmental Funds and the development of innovative approaches that can help secure a sustainable future for biodiversity conservation across the continent.