Biofund

The 2nd United Nations Ocean Conference was held in Lisbon, from June 27 to July 1, 2022, under the motto: “Save the Oceans, Protect the Future”. Its main objective was to discuss ocean related matters, with a main focus on the issue of sustainability, as a way of leveraging the blue economy to improve the quality of the largest ecosystem on the planet and thus contribute to the well-being of people.

For World Sea Turtle Day, celebrated on June 16, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) participated in an event organized by the Consortium led by Centro Terra Viva-Terra (CTV), to celebrate the marine biodiversity of Primeiras e Segundas Archipelago (APAIPS), a conservation area supported by the PROMOVE Biodiversidade Program, funded by the European Union and implemented by BIOFUND and ANAC.

On the 23rd of May, in Maputo, the official ceremony of the second phase of COMBO+ Program and the official launch of the products of CONNECT project (SIBMOZ, SGLA and Ficha Padrão) took place. The event was attended by over 230 people in a hybrid way (in person and virtual), launched by the Deputy Minister of Land and Environment, Fernando de Sousa, with the presence of representatives of the French Embassy and ​​USAID, among other project partners.

Today, June 5, 2022, we celebrate the World Environment Day under the theme “Only One Earth”, with focus on “sustainable living in harmony with nature”. The date was decreed by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), and it has been celebrated every year since 1973.

In 2021, inclusion resulted in a success factor of the former intern of the Leadership Program for the Conservation of Mozambique – PLCM, Xangamira Sitoe, an agribusiness graduate who overcame her limitations and developed a small business.

The Rangers’ Support Fund, also known as the Dr Carlos Lopes Pereira Fund, was created in 2020 with the aim of recognizing, motivating and rewarding the bravery and dedication of the supervisory staff of Mozambique's public and private Conservation Areas, through an annual award.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) began, on 7 May 2022, an exhibition on the terrestrial and marine biodiversity of Mozambique, as part of the event celebrating Europe Week, organized by the European Union in the Maputo Fortress.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND – is presenting on 7 May 2022, in the Maputo fortress, an exhibition of the biodiversity of Mozambique, forming part of an event celebrating the week of Europe, organized by the European Union.

A história do Sérgio no sector da conservação começou em 2021 quando foi admitido para a 2ª edição de estágios pré-profissionais do Programa de Liderança para a Conservação de Moçambique (PLCM), um programa de treino e capacitação implementado pela Fundação para a Conservação da Biodiversidade – BIOFUND em coordenação com a Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC).

On the occasion of the International Day of Forests, under the motto “Forest Restoration: a path for recovery and well-being”, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), through the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), in collaboration with the Portuguese School of Mozambique, through the United for the Environment Association (UPA), brought together about 100 secondary school students for a lecture of reflection on the importance of the forests.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), through the Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development Project (CBDC) and the company Café de Manica, recently signed a partnership protocol to create a mechanism to channel funds for the development of the Chimanimani National Park.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), through the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), organised an induction event for interns selected for the 3rd edition of the pre-professional internship programme, which took place on 9 February 2022, in Maputo city, with the participation of representatives of the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), the National Forestry Directorate (DINAF) and the National Sustainable Development Fund (FNDS).

Mount Mabu, 1,700 metres high, occupies an area of 7,880 hectares and is regarded as the largest humid medium-high altitude forest in Africa. Located in Lugela district, in the interior of Zambézia province, Mount Mabu is a sacred forest, which is almost intact and is protected by the local communities. Whenever anyone wishes to visit the place, the Lugela district community leaders should be consulted to hold a traditional ceremony. In this way, since the remote past, the local population has looked to the preservation of one of the most robust forests on the entire planet.

This is a partnership agreement recently signed between the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and the Gorongosa National Park (GNP), in the context of the Mozambique Program for Conservation Leadership (MPCL) and the BioEducation Program, implemented by the GNP, with the aim of realizing the activities of component 2 of the MPCL which seek to motivate and attract qualified young people to the National System of Conservation Areas.

The Board of Directors of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity - BIOFUND, approved, during its 23rd meeting, held on 25 November 2021, the plan of activities and the budget for 2022, which envisages the allocation of around 14 million USD for the conservation of biodiversity

Between 20 and 25 November 2021, representatives of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), the World Bank, FNDS/MozBio 2, Fauna and Flora International (FFI), the French Development Agency (AFD), the MICAIA Foundation, PIU Chimanimani, the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and the Chimanimani National Park (PNC), held their second joint supervisory mission of the CBDC Project in the Chimanimani National Park and its buffer zone

Between 11 and 18 November 2021, the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM) held sessions to present opportunities for pre-professional internships, research subventions and scholarships for 2022.

This was the third meeting of the Monitoring Group of the Initiatives for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Licuáti Forestry Reserve and the Surrounding Area, with the purpose to ensure a common vision for the sustainable management of biodiversity and community development in Matutuíne, as well as to coordinate and follow up pilot projects to improve habitats in the Licuáti Forestry Reserve (RFL) and the Maputo Special Reserve (REM).

On 26 November 2021, an implementation partnership agreement was signed between Centro Terra Viva (CTV), the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), represented by the Minister of Land and Environment, under the Programme PROMOVE Biodiversidade (PROMOVE Biodiversity), to support the First and Second Islands Environmental Protection Area (APAIPS).

In the second edition of the International Conference Crescendo Azul, which took place in Vilankulo, Inhambane province from 18 to 19 November 2021, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND, highlighted the importance of conserving marine and coastal biodiversity, as well as the role of conservation areas in Mozambique in protecting biodiversity and providing ecosystem services.

In the Bio card incentive campaign, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in partnership with the Commercial and Investment Bank (BCI), offered a guided visit to the Maputo Special Reserve to the client who made most transactions with the Bio card.

The Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, together with its partners, will hold the second edition of the Growing Blue International Conference on 17-18 November, in Vilankulo district, Inhambane province, under the theme “Investing in the health of the ocean is investing in the future of the planet”.

Inhaca was the stage for the Kanyaka Book Fair, an initiative promoted by Maputo Municipal Council and its partners, such as the Maputo Portuguese School, AMOCINE, BIOFUND, ANAC, AMOLP, IMPACTO and the Inhaca Maritime Biology Station. The Fair was held between 6 and 8 November 2021, under the theme “The history of the future is written on the Island” seeking to promote the relationship between literature and environmental education.

Under the motto “Nourish the Future: undertake and innovate for sustainable production” the 1st edition of the Quelimane Youth Fair, was held in the city of Quelimane. This event was organised by the French Embassy in Mozambique and the Licungo University, with funding from the European Union. Participating in the fair were the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and other partners.

This is the first capacity building exercise undertaken by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), in the framework of implementing the PROMOVE Biodiversidade (Promote Biodiversity) project, which seeks to support the Conservation of Biodiversity and Community Development on Mount Mabu.

This study is being undertaken by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in the framework of the Biodiversity Offset Programme, implemented with the financial support of the World Bank/MozBio2 Project and UNDP/BIOSFAC in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the National Environment Directorate (DINAB) and the National Directorate of Forests (DINAF).

The European Union recently signed a financing agreement with the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) to strengthen the BIO-Emergency Fund, in order to increase the fund’s coverage. The Fund is intend to preserve the jobs of the rangers and other staff who are fundamental for supporting inspection in the Conservation Areas, to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

It is with great sadness that the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) received the news of the tragic death of marine biologist and conservationist Lara Cristina Muaves, senior staff at the World Fund for Nature in Mozambique (WWF), on 14 October 2021, in Maputo.

Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) through the COMBO+ Project and the Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA) represented by the National Directorate of Environment (DINAB) with financial support from World Bank/MozBio2 Project and UNDP/BIOSFAC, conducted between the 12th and 13th of October 2021 the first module of the intensive training program for 25 technicians from various sectors of MTA on the application of the mitigation hierarchy in Mozambique.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), became a member of the Executive Committee of the Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ), in the person of its Executive Director, Luís Bernardo Honwana.

From 6-8 October 2021, Mozambique hosted in Maputo, in hybrid format (part physical presence and part virtual) the 11th General Assembly of the Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ). Participating in the event were 32 countries from four continents - 16 countries from Africa, six from America, nine from Europe and one from Asia. The meeting was financed by German cooperation, through KfW, and by FFEM.

The 11th General Assembly of the Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ) takes place in Maputo city, from October 6th to 8th, 2021, at Radisson Blu Hotel at 10h00 am (Mozambique Time), in hybrid format (presential and remotely) with the objective of sharing knowledge and experience to discuss conservation funding mechanisms and opportunities in Africa.

Between 11 August and 8 September 2021, the Community Development Department of the Gile National Park held activities to assess the current stage of implementing beekeeping for the benefit of the local communities.

Under the BIO-Emergency Fund programme, the Mágoè National Park received, on 1 September 2021, on the premises of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND, a vehicle to assist in the activities to inspect biodiversity.

Interns of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), allocated to the National Forestry Directorate (DINAF), have been undertaking, since 15 August 2021, the integrated Forestry Inventory of Forestry Compartments (CF) in Forestry Management Units (UMF) in Mocuba and Lugela districts, Zambézia province, during 4 weeks.

José Amino is a ranger from block L7 of the Niassa Special Reserve, Luwire – Lugenda Wildlife Reserve, and is outstanding for capturing poachers, and seizing a variety of traps used by the poachers.

Pride and a sense of mission accomplished characterised the young interns who took part, for the first time, in a mission to rescue an animal. It was not just any animal – we are talking about the king of the jungle, who fell into a trap laid by poachers.

Talento Luwenda stands out because of his leadership in the fight against poaching. He is a 28 year old young man, who is a ranger in the Tchuma Tchato programme in Safaris de Moçambique. He has been working as a ranger for 5 years.