The Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND approved, at its XXVI Session held on 1 December 2022, the budget of USD 16 million to support various biodiversity protection activities in the country in 2023.

With this amount, BIOFUND will support not only the functioning of Conservation Areas in the public and private sectors, but also some community areas.

To ensure the achievement of the planned results for 2023, BIOFUND will continue implementing projects aimed at supporting the management, administration, and improvement of law enforcement systems in Conservation Areas, as well as the engagement of communities in the sustainable management of natural resources, with emphasis on environmental education and strengthening the capacities of Natural Resource Management Committees. Among these projects, the highlights are MozNorte and MozRural (both supported by the World Bank), which foresee initiatives for the creation of new Community Conservation Areas in the Tchuma Tchato Programme landscape in Zumbo District, Tete Province; in Block L4 of the Niassa Special Reserve, Mecula District; and in the Chipange Chetu Programme landscape, Sanga District, Niassa Province.

Another major project for 2023 is PROMOVE Biodiversity (supported by the European Union), which will support the translocation of around 200 large mammals to the Gilé National Park; the hiring of 30 rangers and a technical and administrative team to support the administration of the Environmental Protection Area of the Primeiras and Segundas Archipelago (APAIPS); and the establishment of a research centre at Mount Mabu. This project will also support the identification and financing of four community income-generating initiatives in the three beneficiary areas.

Regarding initiatives to create an enabling environment for conservation, in 2023 BIOFUND plans to intensify environmental awareness actions through continued biodiversity exhibitions and other environmental education activities. Through the Leadership Programme for the Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM), the aim is to enhance the leadership capacity of professionals within the National Conservation Areas System (SNAC) through short courses for SNAC staff, motivate and attract more young people to the Conservation System through continued pre-professional internships, research grants and Master’s scholarships.

It should also be noted that the budget planned for 2023 will be financed by the World Bank (IDA, GEF) with 51%, the Swedish Government (SIDA) with 12%, the European Union with 12%, BIOFUND’s own funds with 13%, AFD/FFEM with 8% and the remaining 4% from other donors. This financing contributed to an increase of approximately USD 2 million in the 2023 budget compared to the amount allocated for 2022.

In terms of achievements, 2022 was a great milestone for BIOFUND, marked by the celebration of its 10th anniversary under the slogan “Let’s do more for biodiversity”. In line with this slogan, throughout the year BIOFUND carried out various activities in favour of biodiversity conservation, having created a conservation room at Sussundenga Secondary School, established a permanent exhibition room in its new office, launched two major projects – MozNorte and MozRural – signed an agreement for a new USD 19 million project with a duration of five years funded by the Swedish Government, and, among other activities, reached around 14,000 people through environmental awareness initiatives in various parts of the country.

In 2023, BIOFUND intends to do even more for biodiversity, by implementing different actions that will contribute to the protection and sustainable use of natural resources in terrestrial and marine areas across the country.