It took place Between the 25th and 26th of October in the City of Nampula, in the Province of Nampula, the training of technicians from the Provincial Services and Directorates of the Environment and of the Technical Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment of Zambézia and the north of the country on the new Ministerial Diploma of Biodiversity Offsets in Mozambique (Diploma 55/2022).

Biodiversity offsets are required by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation (Decree 54/2015) and recently regulated by the Biodiversity Offsets Directive ( Ministerial Diploma No. 55/2022 of 19 May) . The approval of this legal instrument places Mozambique on the list of pioneer countries in Africa in the creation and consolidation of the legal framework for environmental impact assessment, promotion of the mitigation hierarchy and biodiversity offsets, as measures to harmonize economic development in the country.

The training was attended by 48 participants, including government technicians representing the National Directorate for the Environment (DINAB), Provincial Services for the Environment (SPA), Provincial Services for Economic Activities (SPAE), Provincial Services for Infrastructure (SPI), Provincial Directorates of Industry and Commerce (DPIC), Provincial Directorate of Territorial Development and Environment (DPDTA), Provincial Directorate of Culture and Tourism (DPCT), Provincial Directorates of the National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA), BIOFUND and WCS .

This national training program for government technicians and CTA members began in 2021 with initial modules in October and November, later in March 2022, entering a second phase from September, with training on the 20 and 21 in Maputo City, 11 and 12 October in Beira City and, finally, between 25 and 26 October in Nampula City, thus covering technicians from the environment sector and the Technical Assessment Commission from across the country.

This initiative is led by the National Directorate for the Environment (DINAB) with the support of the COMBO+ Program (partnership between the Government of Mozambique, WCS and BIOFUND) and with funding from AFD/FFEM, World Bank/MozBio 2 Project and UNDP/ BIOSFAC Project.

For more information on the Biodiversity Offset Program click here aqui

It took place from the 11th to the 12th of October in the City of Beira, Sofala province, the training of technicians from the Provincial Services and Directorates of the Environment and from the Technical Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment on the new Ministerial Diploma for the implementation of Biodiversity Offsets in Mozambique ( DIPLOMA 55/2022 ), with the aim of raising awareness among the institutions of the Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA), Provincial Services for the Environment (SPA ), Provincial Directorates of Territorial Development ( DPDTA) and the National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA) and the Technical Commission of Assessment (CTA).

Biodiversity offsets are required by the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation ( Decree 54/2022 ) and with the approval and dissemination of the Ministerial Diploma on the Implementation of Biodiversity Offsets ( Diploma 55/2022) , Mozambique has been a pioneer in the development of legal frameworks instruments for reconciling economic development with biodiversity conservation.

The training was attended by 40 participants, including technicians from the government of the provinces of Sofala, Manica and Tete, from the SPA, Provincial Services for Economic Activities (SPAE), Provincial Infrastructure Services (SPI), Provincial Directorates of the National Agency for the Environmental Quality Control (DPAQUA), Provincial Directorates of Industry and Commerce (DPIC), Provincial Directorates of Territorial Development and Environment (DPDTA) and Provincial Directorates of Culture and Tourism (DPCT) and trainers of the COMBO+ Program (DINAB, BIOFUND and WCS).

The regional training sessions started on the 20th and 21st of September, in the south region, covering the provinces of Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane and will take place until the 25th and 26th of October in the province of Nampula (covering the north region), with Technicians from the provinces of Niassa, Cabo Delgado and Nampula, respectively .

This training is being carried out by the National Directorate for the Environment (DINAB) in collaboration with the COMBO+ Program (partnership between the Government of Mozambique, WCS and BIOFUND), financed by AFD/FFEM, World Bank/MozBio 2 Project and UNDP/Project BIOSFAC.

For more information about the Biodiversity Offset Program click here

Regarding the “Sea World Day ” celebrated on 29 September, the French Embassy in Mozambique in coordination with the Ministry of Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP), the Association of Undergraduate Students of Mozambique (AEFUM), the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and other partners, held from 24th to 30th of September last, the 7th edition of the event “Our Sea” under the motto “The sea we want” in Maputo City.

Since 2014 this event have been providing an opportunity to discuss the future of our oceans, with a special focus on the Indian Ocean; discussing about opportunities to secure our oceans, maintenance of its wealth, energy and biodiversity. This event also focused on management of “Our Sea” and the potential financial mechanisms to ensure its sustainability.

In its 7th edition, the event “Our Sea” event brought together academics, the private sector and partners in the field to brainstorm on partnerships strengthening mechanisms towards the sustainability of the oceans in their various dimensions.

The highest point of this 7th edition was marked by the realization of a business incubation competition, called O ponto mais alto desta 7ª edição foi marcado pela realização de um Concurso de incubação de negócios, denominado “Empreendedorismo Azul” (Blue Entrepreneurship) where several young people presented innovative projects for the sustainability of the sea. BIOFUND played a key role participating in the selection jury of 18 competitors and election of 2 winners in two categories, namely: the Redes de Luxo project, in the entrepreneurial project category that aims to produce female items such as hats, bags and shoes, using fishing nets collected in the coastal zone of Macaneta beach, in Marracuene district, Maputo province. The project received a monetary award of two hundred thousand meticais (200 000 MZN). For the social project category, the Associação Moçambicana de Reciclagem (AMOR) [Mozambican Recycling Association] was the winner and received a monetary award of one hundred and sixty thousand meticais (160 000 MZN) to purchase plastic waste from fishermen at Costa do Sol in Maputo.

The award ceremony and the closing of “Our Sea” event took place on September 30, 2022 at the Museum of the Sea and was it was attended by the French Ambassador to Mozambique and Eswatini, David Izzo, the Deputy Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Henriques Bongece, the Director of the National Museum of the, the representative of AEFUM, BIOFUND representatives and the participants of the “Blue Entrepreneurship” program.

For further information about the program, please, click here.

The National Directorate for Environment (DINAB) in collaboration with COMBO+ Program, implemented by the Government of Mozambique, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) with financial support from World Bank/MozBio2 Project, UNDP/BIOSFAC and AFD/FFEM conducted between 20th and 21st September, in Maputo City an intensive training on the new Ministerial Diploma for the implementation of Biodiversity Offsets in Mozambique (DIPLOMA 55/2022) for government technicians from the Environmental sector and members of the Technical Commission for Environmental Impact Assessment (CTA) from south region of Mozambique.

This regional training was attended by 43 participants from Maputo, Gaza and Inhambane provinces, representing the National Directorate for the Environment (DINAB), National Agency for Environmental Quality Control (AQUA), Provincial Services for the Environment (SPA) , Provincial Services for Economic Activities (SPAE), Provincial Services for Infrastructures (SPI), Provincial Directorates of Industry and Trade (DPIC), Provincial Directorates of Territorial Development and Environment (DPDTA) and Provincial Directorates of Culture and Tourism (DPCT).

This training raised awareness of these institutions regarding the relevance of the recently approved Ministerial Diploma for biodiversity offsets implementation in Mozambique, including details regarding the implementation and coordination mechanisms necessary for an effective implementation in Mozambique. Also in this training, opportunities for collaboration and synergies were identified at central and provincial levels.

The COMBO+ Program started the national training program on Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and application of the Mitigation Hierarchy in Mozambique in 2017 and has already contributed to the training of over 1000 professionals from the government, civil society, the private sector, and academia.

With the approval of the Biodiversity Offsets Ministerial Diploma in Mozambique, a multistakeholders intensive training program will take place at national scale, ensuring dissemination of this important tool to harmonize economic development and biodiversity conservation in Mozambique.

For further information on the Biodiversity Offset Program, please, click here.

In 2020 I had the opportunity to be part of the 1^st edition of the internship program of the Leadership Program for the Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM), a program coordinated by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND. PLCM is part of MozBio2 one of more than 15 projects of the Foundation, which started in 2019 with funding from the World Bank. With this opportunity, I was part of BIOFUND’s M&E team, with whom we developed and implemented monitoring tools for over 30 Foundation’s Beneficiary Conservation Areas, and strengthened the technical capacity for a systematic monitoring of the activities financed.

I vividly remember the day of my first contact with the program to this date.
“What is your goal in this internship?”

This is the question that was asked to me and 11 other young people in March 2020, during the “group dynamics” on the day of induction to the program. We were confused and anxious. And I didn’t have the answer, but I knew that words like learn, contribute, share or networking should all be part of it.

It’s amazing how, in movies, people always know exactly what they want to be and choose precisely what to do. In fact, many of us have learned to answer these questions with time, exposure, and learning. I think I am still setting my answer and the recent opportunity to participate in the First Congress of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) on the Protected Areas of Africa (APAC), held in Kigali, Rwanda, played an important role in this process. And other than having an answer, it made me want to ask more questions.

As a conservationist, I was amazed with the place of the event – ​​Rwanda must be an example of conservation – the attitude of Rwandans towards the environment is amazing, it makes one think of the concept of Environmental Protection Areas and Biosphere Reserve, both for the rigorous cleanliness and the level of forestation in its capital, Kigali.

And the 30.4% of the national territory declared as a Protected Area does not match to everything that is actually done as there are numerous conservation and pro-environmental actions outside the Areas designated for this purpose.

As much as I could write, I prefer to limit myself to the two main lessons of my experience in APAC, Rwanda: first, and by the way, this was one of the main themes for reflection at the Congress, is Management Effectiveness (in Protected Areas), — those who visit this country must bear witness to its effectiveness and efficiency, but I think that those who are interested in environmental areas are even more impacted by the results that this small African country has achieved in “environmental awareness and education”. Yes, it is possible not to accumulate garbage outside the designated places! Yes, it is possible not to use plastic bags! Yes, it is possible not to deliberately throw trash out of car windows, and the list goes on. Perhaps we could rethink even more on the effectiveness of the campaigns we carry out for the environment, the regulations we submit to, the numbers, tables and graphs we report, we should ask ourselves: do we actually have Conservation Areas, or just simply polygons on maps and “parks in the CAs’ list of categories”?.

The second great lesson I learned from that is the Sense of Belonging. Being part of 2,400 participants from 80 countries, with a large active representation of young people, and being with Mozambicans who have actively contributed to the conservation of biodiversity in my country challenged me to think that we, the young people of Mozambique, also have a big role to play in this process. We can generate real impact and achieve the effectiveness we crave, but that involves assuming that we are part of the conservation community, and that we can. And accept that only we, the young people, will be the future responsible for the continuity of the actions that are being developed to keep biodiversity in the present.

Let’s face the reality: conservation has not been the most attractive area of ​​work for young people to pursue, comparing it, for example, with professions that our society still values ​​differently, such as medicine, law, engineering or education. But fortunately, in recent years, conservation issues have been gaining more and more media visibility and social weight. Although it does not ensure that those who follow it will have the promises of comfort or the conventional routine that one obtains in other professions, conservation has nevertheless attracted a whole new generation of young people, like me, to what, other than a profession, it is a Mission for which we are ready and do not expect rewards in the form of comforts or “amenities”.

My permanent anxiety is to be able to integrate my small contribution to conservation in a broader and even more important context, to find the answer to that question asked in 2020. Today I know that it is not necessary to be an expert in fauna, flora or ecosystems. I know that anyone of us can somehow be part of the change, and that we all can and must contribute to the conservation of biodiversity. If we, young people are the future, we need to take care of biodiversity and start today.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND, participated in the 12th General Assembly of the Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ), which took place from 12 to 16 September 2022, in Douala, Cameroon, under the theme “Mixed Financing: Strategies for and Contributions to Protected Areas in Africa”.

The event, which was attended by 20 African Environmental Funds and international partners, was organized by The Sangha Tri-National Trust Fund (FTNS) in collaboration with CAFE. This is an important annual event for environmental funds, where CAFÉ members meet to share experiences and training on various topics related to biodiversity conservation. In this edition, participants from 17 countries were trained in “Mixed Financing” matters.

During the opening ceremony on 14th of September, conducted by the Ministry of Forests and Wildlife of Cameroon, BIOFUND’s representative, Alexandra Jorge, highlighted that the 12th General Assembly of CAFÉ takes place in a year in which BIOFUND celebrates 10 years of its creation, highlighting the main results of the Foundation’s work during this period, with a focus on capitalizing around USD 60 million from the Endowment (Investment Funds) and raising the same amount in funds to be passed-through to beneficiaries in the Conservation Areas, of which BIOFUND has already disbursed, cumulatively, over USD 16 million for the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique since 2016.

Alexandra Jorge also highlighted the importance of BIOFUND in the creation of innovative financing, and mentioned the added value of the Leadership Program for the Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM), Bio Card, BIO Fundo de Emergência and the Biodiversity Offset program, as well as the environmental awareness actions carried out by BIOFUND, by holding biodiversity exhibitions and fairs, within the scope of creating a favourable environment for conservation in Mozambique.

BIOFUND is a founding member of CAFÉ and has been part of its Executive Committee since 2021, elected during the last General Assembly held in Maputo, where BIOFUND was the host. Click here to see the various sessions of the 12th General Assembly of CAFÉ.

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND, conducted a lecture to promote good environmental practices on September 9, 2022, in an event promoted by the Municipality of Maputo City that took place at Força do Povo Secondary School, in the Municipal District of KaMavota, Maputo province.

Through the lecture, several young people and teenagers were called to be aware of small actions that are good for the environment and biodiversity, such as good waste management, planting trees, avoiding water pollution and uncontrolled fires.

This activity, attended by around 2270 people, especially students from Força do Povo Secondary School  and other schools around KaMavota Municipal District, is part of the environmental education and awareness campaign that takes place within the scope of the celebration of the tenth anniversary of the Foundation, under the theme “Let’s do more for biodiversity”, where through various actions, BIOFUND seeks to raise the general public’s awareness of good environmental practices and the conservation of biodiversity.

The BIOFUND lecture is part of the KaMavota Book Festival event, an initiative promoted by the Municipality of Maputo City, through the Culture and Tourism Municipal Council, aimed at stimulating students’ literary interest, promoting reading and bringing the books to the community.

Follow BIOFUND platforms and keep an eye on the different actions carried out within the scope of the campaign “let’s do more for biodiversity”!

The Wildilfe Conservation Society (WCS), the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), the Aid for the Development of People for People ADPP, ProAzul, the Institute of Oceanography of Mozambique (InOM), the Department of Biological Sciences of Eduardo Mondlane University (DCB-UEM) and the Environment Association (AMA) launched the project “Building a Blue Future for Ecosystems and People on the East African Coast” on 23 August, 2022 in Maputo City.

Abbreviated as “Futuro Azul”, the project is funded by Blue Action Fund (BAF) and other international donors, and its aim is the conservation of Mozambique’s marine and coastal biodiversity, with focus on reducing the impacts of climate change in the coastal areas of the country, specifically in Memba and Mossuril districts of Nampula province.

The project will be implemented during five years (2022 to 2027), and it is aimed at improving biodiversity and ecosystem services that contribute to reducing the vulnerability of local communities, increasing their resilience to the impacts of climate change, strengthening coastal protection and promoting livelihoods based on natural resources, especially fishing.

The official launching ceremony of the project was conducted by the Director of WCS Mozambique, Mr. Afonso Madope, who stressed in his speech that all partners should make this initiative an innovative project that really makes difference in the field and that it should be an example for the future of artisanal fishing sustainability, coastal resilience to climate change, coastal communities’ livelihoods and marine conservation in Mozambique.

The launch ceremony was preceded by an activity planning and start-up workshop, which took place on August 22, 2022, at ADPP Mozambique, with the participation of all project partners.

In this project, BIOFUND will be in charge of improving the knowledge, expertise and capacity of the relevant national agencies through the annual realization of a technical-scientific conference and exhibition on Ecosystem-based Marine Adaptation and Conservation, which will be integrated into the annual exhibition of biodiversity of BIOFUND.

António Simão is a 26-year-old young man, born in Mafambisse, Dondo district, Sofala Province, trained in Forestry and Wild Fauna by Instituto Agrário de Chimoio (IAC) (Agrarian Institute of Chimoio).

Since he was young, he dreamed about working for the protection of flora and fauna, and in 2021 he had the opportunity to join the 2nd edition of the pre-professional internship of the Leadership Program for the Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM), the program that made it possible to achieve the dream of working in the area of ​​biodiversity conservation.

António Simão works at Maputo National Park where he developed different conservation activities in a period of 6 months of internship. During the internship, António identified a problem within the communities, which is Conflict between humans and wildlife, he joined the Park’s chasing away team and led the group in identifying the main animal corridors that generate conflicts in the buffer zone of that Conservation Area. To minimize the problem, he started to implement techniques for the mitigation and prevention of conflict between humans and wildlife, together with the park wardenship team.

“I became a Conservation Leader through PLCM, the experiences I acquired in the pre-professional internship were very important for my professional integration. Now I am a Human and Wildlife Conflict Technician at Mozambique Wildlife Alliance (MWA), an organization that supports wildlife, communities and habitats in Mozambique,” ​​said António Simão.

PLCM is implemented by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in coordination with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), with funding from the World Bank, within the scope of the Mozbio2 project, and it is essentially aimed at building a generation of conservation leaders in Mozambique, with the purpose of achieving, by 2024, the training of about 310 professionals from the National System of Conservation Areas, attract, motivate and qualify about 135 young people in conservation matters, and reach more than 7500 people in education and environmental awareness campaigns, as well as on how to arouse their interest in conservation matters.

The training of the private sector on the new Ministerial Diploma for the implementation of Biodiversity Offsets in Mozambique (Directive no. 55/2022) took place between 10th and 11th August in Maputo City.

The training was organized by the National Directorate for the Environment (DINAB) in coordination with the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS, through COMBO+ Program, and was aimed at strengthening the capacity and awareness of the private sector to operate the new Offsets Directive (Ministerial Diploma no. 55/2022 of May 19th) and the right implementation of Biodiversity Offsets in Mozambique.

The Ministerial Diploma 55/2022 sets principles, methodologies, requirements and procedures for the right implementation of Biodiversity Offsets in the country, allowing the Government of Mozambique to ensure that category A+ and A development projects of any type of activity subject to the environmental license, with significant residual negative impacts on biodiversity, implement biodiversity offset management plans to achieve at least No Net Loss (NNL) or Net Gain (NG) of biodiversity at sites outside the area of ​​direct influence, preferably in conservation areas or important areas for biodiversity, after the implementation of measures to Avoid, Minimize and Restore.

The two-day training conducted by COMBO+ Program team (DINAB, WCS and BIOFUND) had about 50 attendants and consisted of the detailed interpretation of the Offsets Diploma and the application of each article. Highlights included the scope of the Diploma, the biodiversity that has to be offset, potential offset sites, metrics to assess biodiversity gains, key role players, management and financing of offsets and the content of the Preliminary and Final Offset Management Plan. Also as part of the training, the content of the new Biodiversity Portal SIBMOZ was shared.

This capacity building is part of the national training program on the implementation of the hierarchy of mitigation and biodiversity offsets in Mozambique for government professionals, the private sector, academia, NGOs and other key stakeholders.
For further information on the Biodiversity Offset Program, click here.

The Monitoring Group of Biodiversity Conservation Initiatives in the Licuáti Forest Reserve and the Surrounding Area held its fourth meeting on August 8th in Maputo, aimed at presenting and discussing the results of the ecological and socio-economic characterization studies, and the proposal for a management plan for the conservation of the Licuáti region in the Matutuíne district, Maputo.

The meeting was attended by around 30 participants from different government institutions, conservation areas, the private sector, civil society organizations, academia and multilateral and bilateral partners engaged in biodiversity conservation in the Licuáti region and Mozambique.

This group was established in 2021 under the leadership of the National Directorate of Forests (DINAF) with the purpose of building a common vision for the sustainable management of biodiversity and community development in Matutuíne, as well as promoting the coordination and monitoring of pilot projects to improve habitats of the Licuáti Forest Reserve (RFL) and Maputo National Park (PNAM) promoted by the National Directorate for the Environment (DINAB), the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), National Directorate of Forests (DINAF) ) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).

Licuáti ecological and socio-economic characterization studies have once again highlighted the ecological value of the Licuáti region, recently declared as a Key Biodiversity Area (KBA). The Licuáti region is rich in habitats diversity that bear priority flora and fauna species for biodiversity conservation, including endemic and threatened species. However, the biodiversity of this area is threatened by anthropogenic activities that include the cutting of trees for charcoal production, uncontrolled fires and expansion of agricultural areas, which cause loss, conversion and fragmentation of natural habitats.

Coal production is the main economic activity with an impact on Licuáti natural habitats, and it is concentrated near the access roads and main population centres. The current tendency of resource exploitation in this region, associated with the lack of alternative livelihood and income sources will result in a continuous loss of biodiversity, which imposes an urgent need to implement measures to protect intact areas, restore degraded areas through the engagement of multiple actors and to propose financial alternatives to ensure the conservation of biodiversity and the livelihoods of the local communities.

The biodiversity offsets regulated by Diploma 55/2022 are a potential financial solution to support the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique, including as a priority key areas and areas for biodiversity, such as the Licuáti Forest Reserve.

A management plan for the Licuáti region is under development as a way of reversing the current degradation of this rich region of the country.

Read the results of these studies here:

CARACTERIZAÇÃO ECOLÓGICA DA REGIÃO DE LICUÁTI EM MATUTUÍNE

CARACTERIZAÇÃO SOCIOECONÓMICA DAS COMUNIDADES E DA CADEIA DE VALOR DE CARVÃO NA REGIÃO DE LICUÁTI EM MATUTUÍNE

The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in partnership with Banco Comercial de Investimentos (BCI) offered a tour to the winner of the second phase of the Bio Card campaign, to Maputo National Park (PNAM) on 29th July, 2022.

This is the second visit offered as part of the campaign which is aimed at offering Bio Card users the unique opportunity to visit a Conservation Area. Dilson Muchanga from Maputo province, together with his wife, accompanied by BIOFUND, BCI and PNAM team had the privilege of enjoying a traditional safari through stunning landscapes with diverse species of fauna, with greater emphasis on one of the most emblematic species in the Park, the elephant.

In addition to sightseeing the Park’s rich biodiversity, during the tour the participants had the opportunity to enjoy different experiences on community management of natural resources, especially engaging children and teenagers, with emphasis to the initiatives of Escola Primária Completa de Salamanga, girls’ environmental clubs, planting fruit trees, etc.

Dilson and his wife said “We are excited with the beauty and quietness of this place, for the award we had and especially motivated to protect the environment even more because through this card we can contribute to the conservation of biodiversity.”

Alexandra Jorge, Director of Programs at BIOFUND, expressed her happiness with the engagement of the School and the students in the activities of PNAM programs and congratulated the PNAM team for the fantastic work they are doing, which will of course influence the sustainable use of resources for the new generation that is being trained.

For the BCI team visiting the PNAM for the first time, this contact with nature was very important to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation from here!

The Bio Card is the first biodegradable card in Mozambique with over 30,000 users, created in 2017 as a result of a partnership between BCI and BIOFUND, where within the scope of its social responsibility BCI sends a percentage of the annual fee for the use of the card to BIOFUND for biodiversity conservation projects. These funds have already supported the protection of rhinos, Raphia australis (a rare palm species in Bobole) and sea turtles in the Environmental Protection Area of ​​Ilhas Primeiras and Segundas (APAIPS).

BIOFUND participates this week in the Africa Protected Areas Congress – APAC (www.apacongress.africa) held in Kigali, Rwanda from 18-23 July, the opening ceremony was led by the Rt. Hon. Édouard Ngirente. This is the first-ever Pan-African Congress gathering of world leaders, citizens, private sector, academia donors and local communities focused on protected areas.

More than 2,000 participants from 52 African countries and beyond have come together at APAC to address challenges and drive action for Africa’s Protected and Conserved Areas.

The Congress raises a message of hope to do more for Africa. Discussions revolve around the key role of these areas in safeguarding the continent’s iconic wildlife, delivering vital ecosystem services, driving sustainable development and conserving Africa’s cultural heritage and traditions and also strengthening the participation of women and youth in the conservation agenda.

This Congress reiterates the need to change the current business model, to establish sustainable financing mechanisms across Africa to ensure the impact of biodiversity conservation, focusing on the role of Environmental Funds.

In its participation in 6 parallel sessions, the BIOFUND team disclosed the Foundation’s role in mobilizing sustainable funding to support biodiversity conservation in Mozambique, through its various programs, with emphasis on new innovative funding mechanisms such as the implementation of offsets biodiversity, the BIO card, partnerships with the private sector, among others.

This Congress has presented an excellent opportunity for exposing the Foundation’s work, networking and establishing multiple partnerships and collaboration at the African level in the various topics of great importance to BIOFUND.

The Delegation of Mozambique has the participation of representatives of the Ministry of Land and Environment (MTA), with emphasis on the ANAC and its National Director – Celmira da Silva, representatives of the Conservation Areas, the FNDS, and several NGOs in Mozambique such as WWF Mozambique, WCS, PPF, IUCN Mozambique, REGECOM and Rare, with whom there has been sharing of information and discussions on the various topics addressed, which require integrated actions and institutional collaboration.

Also participating in this Congress are 8 representatives of CAFÉ – Consortium of African Environmental Funds (https://cafeconsortium.org/), in which BIOFUND is a member, and they are also participating in this event in several sessions and interacting with each other. Also noteworthy at this Congress was the formal launch by former Ethiopian Prime Minister Hailemariam Desalegn of a new Pan-African Environmental Fund called APACT (the Pan-African Conservation Trust – for nature, for people), with the main objective of raising and channeling important financial resources to support biodiversity conservation in many of Africa’s protected areas.

This is the first environmental centre led by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), and was opened at the Sussundenga Secondary School, in Manica province, on July 11, 2022, by the Director of the District Education Services, in a ceremony that was attended by more than 100 people, with emphasis on local authorities, the school community and conservation partners.

This Biodiversity Centre was installed by BIOFUND through the Conservation Leadership Program in Mozambique (PLCM), in partnership with Chimanimani National Park, Portucel Moçambique e a Fundação Vodacom, and is aimed at raising awareness among children and young people in Sussundenga on the importance of taking care of the environment and biodiversity.

The Centre is composed of information panels and photographs on the biodiversity of Manica province, with emphasis on endemic plants, fauna, landscapes and historical and tourist places of Chimanimani National Park, and a computer lab composed of 20 computers, complete with a one-year internet connection. In addition to the Biodiversity Centre, a waste recycling point was set up at this school and a school garden was created that will involve and benefit the school students.

This initiative is part of the pilot phase of the project to create Conservation Centres and the development of Education Workshops that BIOFUND and its partners will implement in schools, around themes of Biodiversity, Mineral Resources, Water, Solid Waste Management and Food-Nutrition. This initiative is also the result of a dream of bringing extracts of local biodiversity content to classrooms that were originally developed with the support of partners for the annual Biodiversity Exhibitions implemented by BIOFUND in Maputo (2015), Gaza (2016), Quelimane (2017) and Inhambane (2018), with emphasis on the Manica Exhibition in 2019.

These materials were complemented for this biodiversity centre by the PLCM team, including several of its interns.

On behalf of the Administrator of Sussundenga, the District Director of Education, Chico Domingos Manuel Ferrão, in his opening speech stated that the installation of the Biodiversity Centre in that School represents an important milestone for the District and for the Province of Manica. “For the first time, we opened a biodiversity centre. This is a big gain for our district. With these centres, children have information on how to take care of the planet, so that the planet also takes care of us, we are going to capitalize on this gain, to allow other children to have access to information”, he stressed.

Likewise, the Director of Sussundenga Secondary School, Manuel Campira, expressed his thanks for choosing the institution he leads and committed himself to preserving the repository of various environmental education materials that will contribute to the teaching-learning process and to change the behaviour of the society about the environment.

For BIOFUND, the inauguration of the Sussundenga Biodiversity Centre coincides with the tenth anniversary of the foundation, celebrated in a campaign under the motto “let’s do more” for biodiversity. This new biodiversity centre is the first result of this celebration. “We are sure that with the efforts and creativity of all our partners we will take this project forward and many more conservation centres like this one will emerge, and we will do more for biodiversity, in different ways”, said Alexandra Jorge, Program Director at BIOFUND.

In addition to Chimanimani National Park and Portucel Moçambique, which were responsible for the rehabilitation of the classrooms, and which will continue to support the school with the implementation of environmental education activities, as well as Fundação Vodacom, which set up the computer lab, the creation of the Biodiversity Centre in Sussundenga was supported by a collaboration of young people from the Gonazololo Association who produced various products with recycled material, Escola Portuguesa de Moçambique which contributed with books on biodiversity for the school library and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), which provided environmental education manuals.

The 10th General Assembly of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity – BIOFUND took place on July 7, 2022, in Maputo, and was attended by about 50 people, including representatives of governmental and non-governmental institutions connected to the conservation sector.

At this session, the 2021 activity report was presented and approved, with the highlight being the 2022 funding, with more than USD 20M for 31 public and privately managed Conservation Areas across the country; the approval of 10 new members of the General Assembly; and the presentation and approval of BIOFUND’s new statutes, updated based on the new “foundations law” which transfers a series of legal responsibilities from the General Assembly to the Board of Directors.

The BIOFUND 10th anniversary campaign was also launched, which is aimed at disseminating the main results achieved during the first 10 years of existence, promote environmental responsibility through the dissemination environmental awareness messages and reinforce our commitment to conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique.

This celebration will include several actions that aim to praise the efforts of several partners of the conservation community in the scope of the implementation of several projects for the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique.

A point to highlight in this session is the growth perspective of BIOFUND, which currently has a portfolio of 16 projects, which support 18 Conservation Areas in Mozambique. Next year, BIOFUND foresees a growth in the number of projects (about USD 100M for the next 5 years) to support 25 Conservation Areas, extending its support to more marine and coastal areas, capacity building, training and more comprehensive environmental education, as well as greater engagement of the private sector and community conservation areas.

Keep an eye for upcoming publications and learn more about BIOFUND’s 10 years!

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.

The event co-organized by Portugal and Kenya, was attended by more than 7000 people from different countries around the world. Mozambique was present through the participation of several individuals, with emphasis on the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries (MIMAIP), Lídia Cardoso, the Minister of Public Works, Housing and Water Resources (MOPHRH), Carlos Mesquita, the CEO of the ProAzul, Simeão Lopes and the Director of Innovative Financing of the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), Sean Nazerali, among others.

BIOFUND attended different parallel sessions with emphasis on the sessions organized by the Mozambican delegation, led by the Minister of MIMAIP. This session acknowledged Mozambique’s leadership in the Sustainable Strengthening of Oceanic Economies.

One of the relevant topics for BIOFUND was the presentation of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs Project, for which BIOFUND will be the convening agent for Mozambique. This new fund is aimed at boosting private sector initiatives that have not only an economic return, but also a positive impact on the marine environment.

BIOFUND took the opportunity to exchange experiences with other countries on sustainable financing of crucial initiatives to preserve, maintain, and rehabilitate the oceans, as well as to discuss the various opportunities on blue economy, coral rehabilitation and aquaculture in Mozambique.

For Sean Nazerali, this event is a starting point for liaising with funders and innovators around the world, in order to improve and accelerate national actions, thus creating a greater impact on results in Mozambique.

Click here to learn more about the event!

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.

The celebration took place at the Radisson Blue Hotel in Maputo City and was attended by around 50 participants, with emphasis on the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), National Fisheries Administration, European Union, World Bank, WWF Mozambique, RARE, WCS and the Administrator of APAIPS.

This was an opportunity to discuss the main challenges in APAIPS biodiversity conservation, funding opportunities and the role of the local communities in the management of natural resources. In the opening remarks, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of CTV, Augusto Paulino, highlighted that APAIPS biodiversity is being celebrated on World Sea Turtle Day as it is an important area for the prevalence of several species of sea turtles that are protected by law in Mozambique. On the occasion, projects implemented in this area of ​​environmental protection were presented, with emphasis on the PROMOVE Biodiversidade Program by BIOFUND and the WWF Protect APAIPS Project.

Sea turtles play a vital role in maintaining the ecological balance of marine food chains. These marine reptiles spend their entire lives in the sea, except when the females go to beaches to lay their eggs. They are migratory and can cross oceans from one continent to another. A curious fact about turtles is that when they reach reproductive age, around 20 years old, they return to the same beach where they were born to lay their eggs. On average, each female lays about 130 eggs a year but for every thousand chicks born, only one or two chicks reach adulthood, while the rest will serve as food for a vast ecological chain.

In addition to the PROMOVE Biodiversidade Program at APAIPS, since 2017 BIOFUND has provided financial support to other Conservation Areas for the monitoring of sea turtles, such as the marine and coastal part of Maputo National Park, Santuário Bravio de Vilanculos in Cabo São Sebastião and the Bazaruto Archipelago National Park. BIOFUND also recently signed a grant with WWF to support the monitoring of sea turtles, where satellite tags will be placed to allow real-time monitoring and greater knowledge of the habits and routes of these species in common nesting sites. This new project uses funds raised through the bio debit card program, a partnership underway with BCI, which has mobilized more than 25,000 users of this card so far. Keep an eye on the BIOFUND website and follow the development of this news.

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.

The second phase of COMBO+ Program, an initiative implemented by Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in partnership with BIOFUND and the National Environment Directorate (DINAB) aims at: i) finalizing and applying the institutional and legal frameworks for transparent and effective application of the mitigation hierarchy; ii) continuing to develop technical tools to support territorial planning in accordance with the mitigation hierarchy; iii) continuing training with all stakeholders (government, civil society, financial institutions and companies) for the application of the mitigation hierarchy as a regulatory obligation; and finally, iv) testing operational protocols through 4 pilot projects: Chimanimani, Licuáti, Maputo and Memba/Mossuril.

In his speech on the occasion, the Deputy Minister of Land and Environment highlighted that in the second phase of COMBO+ Program, the focus is on continuing to support the strengthening of sector institutions and the appropriate application of the mitigation hierarchy, namely in the use of the tools presented in the event, and in the additional ones that the Program may develop in this second phase. The Deputy Minister also highlighted that with the official launch of the products of CONNECT Project, including the new Mozambique Biodiversity Information System (SIBMOZ) (https://sibmoz.gov.mz/) Mozambique is a pioneer country worldwide, which since its National Biodiversity Strategy, has challenged itself to use Environmental Impact Assessment process tools to avoid “Biodiversity Net Loss”, designing new legal tools such as the Ministerial Diploma on Biodiversity Offsets, and the adoption of standard forms for all categories of development projects.

The success of the first phase of COMBO program has led WCS project donors (AFD and FFEM), and BIOFUND project donors (the World Bank /MozBio 2 and UNDP/BIOSFAC) to continue funding the initiative, investing in a second phase of the Program which started in July 2021 and will run thru 2025.

This phase ensures technical support to DINAB to operate the new Ministerial Diploma on Biodiversity Offsets, technical advice to the Biodiversity Offsets Department, multi-sectorial training, and the development of tools and tests on the ground through pilot projects to improve habitats.

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.

The celebration is aimed at raising awareness of the general public on the importance of preserving natural resources and to draw attention to the need to create laws that ensure sustainable development without adversely affecting the environment.

Currently, human beings are largely responsible for the negative changes in the environment, such as the occurrence of natural disasters and the loss of biodiversity caused by water pollution, uncontrolled fires, deforestation, removal of mangroves, among other factors.

As a way of raising public awareness of the different actions that affect the environment, the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), through its different programs, especially the Leadership Program for the Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM), PROMOVE Biodiversidade and Biodiversity Offsets, develops environmental education activities nationwide and assists in the development of laws that harmonize the development and preservation of the environment.

““If everyone does their part, we can ensure a more promising future for future generations””

Keep an eye on our platforms and follow the various actions carried out by BIOFUND and its beneficiaries within the scope of environmental awareness initiatives.

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 young woman who has special needs (cerebral palsy) helped the Marromeu Reserve and Landscape develop their business plans. During her internship, she was in charge of promoting community development activities in Marromeu, such as monitoring the activities of Small Emerging Commercial Entrepreneurs and Small and Medium Enterprises in the Gender Action Learning System (GALS) program, among other activities relevant to the landscape.

Xangamira is not only an example of resilience, but she is also evidence that women have an important role in transforming conservation in Mozambique. “PLCM gave me an opportunity to challenge my limitations and apply my skills for the development of biodiversity conservation associated with community development in the Marromeu Reserve. Currently, I am engaged in the management of a small business I created, to supply organic fertilizers for agricultural production. I feel that I am ready to lead conservation-related activities”. Said Xangamira

PLCM provides opportunities to young graduates from all over the country using a holistic approach to conservation, involving different areas of knowledge. Inclusion is an important aspect of the program, so the issue of gender becomes essential. Aware that the number of women in conservation is quite small, the program has committed to ensuring that 35% of the beneficiaries are women, and that they can lead conservation development.

This program is expected to train more young leaders who may bring innovation and positive changes to the conservation sector in Mozambique, and who can influence other young people to adopt environmental friendly attitudes.

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.

For the second edition in 2022, applications are open from May 23 to July 08, 2022, and must be submitted by the administrator or manager of the Conservation Area.

Click here for the application form and other information.

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 event, headed by the EU, had as its main goal to display to the public cooperation projects and initiatives financed either by the European Union or by its member states in Mozambique, through traditional dances, poetry, games, exhibitions, music and activism around the themes of sustainable social and economic development.

The opening ceremony, attended by more than 700 participants, was marked by environmental education activities for adolescents from schools in Chamanculo neighbourhood. This activity was led by Lídia Mangane, a monitoring and assessment officer from the PROMOVE Biodiversidade (Promote Biodiversity) project with the aim of drawing attention to the preservation of marine resources.

The exhibition on terrestrial and marine Biodiversity expresses some of the five human senses, including sight, hearing and taste. On the first day, there were about 300 visitors of various ages. Prominent among them were the ambassadors and heads of cooperation of the EU, Italy and France (as well as many other figures), who were accompanied by the chairperson of the board of BIOFUND, Narciso Matos, and by the Director of Programmes, Alexandra Jorge.

The companies café de Manica and Café de Chimanimani, partners of BIOFUND, actively marked their presence by offering the visitors samples of the coffee produced in Mozambique and speaking about their role in support of conservation in Mozambique, through channelling a part of their revenue to activities to conserve Biodiversity in the Chimanimani National Park.
Several visitors left their comments about the event and particularly about the exhibition, stressing: In general, the experience of participating in the exhibition was very good. It allowed me to travel across all of Mozambique, while remaining in a small area. It was also possible to understand a little about the conservation work undertaken by BIOFUND, stressed one of the visitors.

Since 2015, BIOFUND has held activities to publicise the importance and relevance of our biodiversity, through biodiversity exhibitions, involving a young public, schools and institutions in various parts of the country. This exhibition is open to the public every day until the end of May.

Find out more about the various actions to publicise biodiversity aqui.

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.

This is a sample of terrestrial and marine biodiversity, and of habitats and species that will be illustrated in wildlife informational panels, photographs, videos and audios. The objective of the exhibition is to spread information about the biodiversity of Mozambique, focusing on its importance and on the need for its conservation.

The Biodiversity Exhibition project arises in the context of the “consolidation of an environment favourable to conservation in Mozambique”, in which BIOFUND is attempting to approach, in a professional and innovative manner, themes that are relevant for conservation, disseminating knowledge and raising the awareness of society and particularly of young people. It also aims to establish dialogues and partnerships with private initiatives which could contribute to the transformation of the environment, to conservation and to the development of the country.

After holding 5 (five) annual editions of the biodiversity exhibition in 5 (five) of the country’s provinces, namely: Maputo in 2015, Gaza in 2016, Zambézia in 2017, Inhambane in 2018 and Manica in 2019, BIOFUND has adopted new ways of illustrating the rich biodiversity of Mozambique, integrated into events organized by partners.

In the Maputo fortress, the biodiversity exhibition will be open to the public as from 11h00 on 7 May, and will be available until 30 May 2022. We invite you to contemplate nature and to explore the beauty of our aquatic and terrestrial environment.

The story of Sérgio in the conservation sector began in 2021 when he was admitted to the 2nd edition of pre-professional internships of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), a training and capacity building programme implemented by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in coordination with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).

Trained in Forestry Engineering by the Higher Polytechnical Institute of Manica, Sérgio was allocated to an internship in the Banhine National Park (PNB), a Conservation Area located in the interior of Gaza province. For Sérgio, staying in such a remote area was a challenge, but he decided to embrace the cause because work in conservation is his passion.

In Banhine National Park, Sérgio discovered in a line of research an opportunity to develop his professional career. Through research, he started a project to test the germination of seeds of native trees, led environmental education activities in the schools and communities in the park’s buffer zone, began to identify the native flora, and headed the installation of the first forestry nursery in the PNB.

With his determination focused on attaining results with his research, Sérgio found in the PLCM an opportunity to begin his career as a true conservation leader. “In my internship, I developed germination tests which gave positive results. I was successful and I advanced the project, beginning to produce a considerable number of Chanfuta and Jambirre plantlets, using plastic packaging recycled as vases. The Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme is an engine for the take-off of the career of young people in the conservation sector in Mozambique. After this internship, I was invited to teach at a national university, and today I have the opportunity to train more leaders in conservation and other areas.”

For Hélder Mandate, the supervisor of Sérgio’s internship, his contribution will be very important for maintaining the biodiversity of the PNB. The plantlets produced will be multiplied for the reforestation of the degraded areas of the Park.

This is another success story which doubtless inspires and motivates other young people who wish to embrace a conservation career in Mozambique. It should be noted that, in 2021 alone, 58 young people benefitted from PLCM internships in the conservation areas and in the country’s conservation institutions. Follow the opportunities of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme!

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 event took place on 21 March 2022, in the Portuguese School of Mozambique. In an interactive manner, the students shared their perceptions about the role of each individual in guaranteeing a better planet, free of the effects of deforestation.

In addition to the lecture, a three day exhibition was also organised, consisting of informative panels on the predominant forests in Mozambique, samples of plants, and t-shirts with paintings illustrating the composition of forests made by the students of the school.

Hilário Patrício, a Forestry Engineer, and BIOFUND staff, facilitated the lecture and spoke in an educational manner about the importance of the conservation of the forests and the consequences of their destruction. “Just as the human lung is an important organ for human life, the forests are regarded as “the lungs of the world” because they are responsible for the production of oxygen from the absorption of carbon dioxide”.

This activity was part of the cooperation between BIOFUND (through the PLCM) and the Portuguese School of Mozambique which seeks to promote action of environmental awareness in the schools.

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..

This initiative arises as an alternative to reduce the pressure on natural resources and to establish new sources of income for the local communities. In this context, Café de Manica has introduced the cultivation of shade-grown coffee into the buffer zone of the Chimanimani National Park, in degraded areas, and in fields between lines of agricultural crops. This innovation, in addition to introducing an alternative, high income crop, also makes it possible to retain farmers in their areas of production, thus reducing the bush clearance that was practiced in that region and helping to restore the area. It has already benefitted, about 300 households who are working on the production and sale of coffee in an area of approximately 350 hectares.

This is the first BIOFUND partnership which seeks to channel income from a private company to a specific Conservation Area, and it will have the duration of 5 years. It allows the company Café de Manica to channel 2% of its revenue from the sale of processed coffee, to support improvements in environmental and social practices, and in publicising the importance of the biodiversity of the Chimanimani National Park. BIOFUND will be responsible for the management, monitoring, disbursement and financial supervision of the sums channelled to the Chimanimani National Park.

Café de Manica is a Mozambican company dedicated to the production, processing and sale of coffee, through the integration of local communities in economically sustainable coffee production systems.

Implemented by BIOFUND, the Biodiversity Conservation and Community Development Project in the Chimanimani conservation area is the result of financing from the French Development Agency (AFD) together with the French Fund for the World Environment (FFEM) and Fauna and Flora International (FFI), which, in September 2019 set up an initiative to support the Mozambican government in the implementation of a biodiversity conservation project in the Chimanimani National Park, and in its buffer zone due to recognition of the value of the biodiversity of this Conservation Area at national, regional and global level.

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).

In the present edition, 27 young people from higher education and technical and professional education, recently trained in multi-disciplinary areas, were selected out or more than 1,500 candidates from all provinces in the country, to undertake their pre-professional internships in conservation institutions at central level (BIOFUND, ANAC, DINAF and WCS) and in some public and private Conservation Areas for 6 months, which may be extended for a further 6 months. The interns in this edition are 13 young women and 14 men.

The Executive Director of BIOFUND, Luís Bernardo Honwana, welcomed the new interns, saying that each intern should contribute to the requalification of the natural resources in the Conservation Areas. He stated that “With your different areas of training, you, as young people, are challenged today to bring solutions to the problems existing in the internship centres, and will be integrated as part of the army in the battle for the conservation of biodiversity”.

For one of those benefitting from the internship, this is an unequalled opportunity to develop a career in the area of Conservation. “I always dreamed of working in conservation and the PLCM is a window of entry into a world that will allow me to apply my knowledge for the development of sustainable programmes for the community, and that are favourable to biodiversity”, stressed Érica Canda, a young woman trained in biology, and allocated to the community development sector of Cape São Sebastião, in Inhambane province.

Since the 1st edition of the PLCM internship programme, 103 interns have been trained in the conservation sector, of whom 42 are women and 61 are men.

The PLCM is a capacity building and leadership programme financed by the World Bank through the MozBio2 programme, and implemented by BIOFUND, in collaboration with ANAC. The goals of this programme are to strengthen the capacity and skills of the professionals of the National System of Conservation Areas (SNAC), shape the profile of the future leaders of conservation and attract the public in general to the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique. For more information, visit the pages of the programme on the website  and on facebook.

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.

In 2008, the first expedition to the place was held, with international specialists, which led to the discovery of a dozen new species of plants, insects, birds and mammals. In October 2021, the team from BIOFUND and the implementation partners of PROMOVE Biodiversity visited the place and found fascinating biological diversity.

“It takes your breath away. It’s one of the few intact forests in the country. Its unique waters are an additional attraction to be discovered in the interior of the mountain. The importance of its cultural value for the communities is the basis of its conservation”, declared Sean Nazerali of BIOFUND. It is this biological diversity and the commitment of the local communities in using sustainable alternatives for development that PROMOVE Biodiversity will support up to 2025.

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 agreement, which will last for two years and provides participation of young graduates with a master’s degree in Conservation Biology from the GNP BioEducation Program in the development of MPCL research and internships in the Conservation Areas, the BioEducation Program will also assist in the selection and supervision of beneficiaries of the MPCL programs, as well as collaboration within the leadership skills development activities promoted by Gorongosa National Park.

This partnership is expected to ensure the highest number and quality of master’s degree research on biodiversity conservation issues through technical support and supervision of students by qualified national and international tutors from the Gorongosa Restoration Project, through the granting of research subventions, among other activities.

For the Coordinator of the MPCL, Carolina Hunguana, the collaboration will allow the strengthening of the training capacity of future conservation leaders in Mozambique. “With this partnership, the MPCL will be able to launch in the next editions of the internship programme more young people trained for the conservation sector and will raise the quality and quantity of research on issues related to biodiversity. On the other hand, the MPCL beneficiaries will have the additional opportunity to strengthen their leadership skills through participation in experience exchange seminars promoted annually by Gorongosa National Park”.

The PNG’s BioEducation Program is financed by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute Its purpose is to improve education about science and conservation through the creation of learning opportunities for young people, based on practical activities in the Gorongosa National Park. The PLCM Programme is initially financed by the World Bank/IDA (MozBio2 project) and implemented by BIOFUND in coordination with the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC) and seeks to boost the capacities and skills of the professionals of the National System of Conservation Areas (SNAC)and shape the profile of the future leaders of conservation in Mozambique, as well as to promote environmental awareness within the civil society regarding the importance of conserving biodiversity.

For more information about the PLCM visit https://www.biofund.org.mz/projects/programa-de-lideranca-para-a-conservacao-de-mocambique-plcm/

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.

This budget  represents an increase of almost double the amount of money spent in 2021, and will mostly be channelled to increasing protection of the natural resources in the Conservation Areas.  78% of these programs are financed by various partners (such as World Bank, European Union, German Financial Cooperation through KfW, AFD, UNDP, USAID and others) while the remaining 22% will be financed from the Foundation’s own funds.

In addition to financing operational costs of 22 Conservation Areas, BIOFUND envisages for 2022, building the capacity of 40 professionals of the National System of Conservation Areas, launching 45 pre-professional internships, 20 scholarships at master’s degree level, 9 research subventions, and 40 scholarships for mid-level technical and professional education under the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM), the “PROMOVE Biodiversidade” programme and the MozNorte Project.

A further outstanding area that will mark the activity of BIOFUND in the conservation sector in 2022 concerns exploring the potential of the Global Fund for Coral Reefs, a financial mechanism for mobilising private sector financial resources to protect and restore coral reefs.

In 2021, despite the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, BIOFUND implemented 42 projects to support the protection of biodiversity, and activities with the communities in 31 of the country’s Conservation Areas, through the support of countless partners, as well as with its own funds. Cumulatively, it disbursed about 6 million US to the Conservation Areas.

Also in 2021, activities were undertaken to raise environmental awareness at national and international events, and about the importance of biodiversity, through biodiversity exhibitions, with the involvement of more than 2,000 people.  We highlight the organisation in 2021, for the first time in Mozambique, of the General Assembly of the Consortium of African Environmental Funds (CAFÉ), an event in which 32 countries and over 1,000 participants took part, the launch of the “PROMOVE Biodiversidade” Programme, and the extension of the Emergency BIO-Fund   which made it possible to guarantee 13,139,211 hectares of protected biodiversity in the country’s public and private Conservation Areas, which represents 63% of the total protected area in Mozambique.

With the sum of approximately 14 million USD, we hope in 2022 to significantly increase our activities in support of the conservation of biodiversity, so as to contribute towards improving the effective management of the Conservation Areas, and the consequent maintenance of species, habitats and ecosystems, in harmony with, and to the benefit of local communities.

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.

The main goal of the mission was to accompany the activities implemented by the Park and by the MICAIA Foundation under the project and to align it with the work being undertaken in the same region by other partners, so as to guarantee the development of synergies.

The PNC is undertaking inventories of biodiversity, protecting and monitoring elephants, and developing a mechanism for management of information by ANAC, as part of component 1 of the project which seeks to guarantee knowledge, protection and valuing of natural and cultural heritage.

The MICAIA Foundation is also undertaking activities to demarcate community land, to develop Sustainable Land Management Plans (PGSTs) and to revive the Community Conservation Areas through boosting the production of honey in the Chimanimani region and establishing management plans for the development of chains of biodiversity products (under components 2 and 3, referring to the organisation of the territory and local development, and strengthening and developing value chains).

The CBDC project was launched in 2020, in order to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and ensure the sustainable development of the communities in the Chimanimani National Park.

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.

The sessions took place in the Catholic University of Mozambique, UniLicungo, UniZambeze, the Polytechnic University and the Eduardo Mondlane University, in the cities of Quelimane and Beira, in Zambézia and Sofala provinces, respectively.

350 people, including both students and members of the management of the universities took part in the meetings.

The Vice-Chancellor of the UniLicungo University, Prof. Dr Boaventura Aleixo, announced that the conservation of biodiversity is among the matrix of priorities of the University, and he recognised that the PLCM will make possible the search for scientific solutions for the protection of natural resources through young students, either through professional internships or through scholarships.

The Director of the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences at the Catholic University in Quelimane, Prof. Dr Lino Samuel, challenged the teaching body and the students to dedicate themselves to quality training so that they might benefit from the opportunities offered by the PLCM.

For the young students, the PLCM opportunities are coming at a good time because, as finalists, they need to follow up all the learning they have acquired in the classroom.

“I am very pleased to know that there is an extremely wide horizon of professions for the conservation sector. I have been trained recently in Law and I shall apply for these opportunities that are available” – said Mário Nduna, a student at the Catholic University.

“I am very thrilled to discover that the opportunities of the PLCM are advantageous for us young people, who want to develop our professional careers, with the possibility of demonstrating our talent’’ – stressed Elisabete Madeira, a student from UniLicungo

The PLCM is a unique initiative, which seeks to strengthen the capacity and skills of the professionals of the National System of Conservation Areas (SNAC), and to motivate new professionals to embrace conservation and shape the profile of the future leaders of conservation in Mozambique, implemented by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND).

For more information about the PLCM, you can access the link.

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).

The meeting took place in Maputo city (in a hybrid format) on 11 November 2021 and was promoted by the National Forestry Directorate (DINAF) in Coordination with the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the National Directorate of the Environment (DINAB) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC).

This multi-disciplinary group, consisting of representatives of various government institutions, the private sector, non-governmental and community organisations and academics involved in the conservation of biodiversity and community development in the Landscape of the Elephant Coast, was set up in May 2021 and meets every quarter. There were 39 participants at the last meeting.

During the meeting, an assessment was made of the situation of invasive plant species in the REM and the charcoal value chain in Djabula in the Licuáti region, which are part of the pilot projects for habitat improvement. In addition, lessons were drawn about the start of the Study of the ecological and socio-economic characterisation of the Licuáti Forestry Reserve as a way of creating data bases for future interventions to improve habitats in this landscape.

The Licuáti Forestry Reserve and the Maputo Special Reserve were recently declared as Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) at global level and are part of the landscape of the Elephant Coast in Matutuíne, which is a priority area for BIOFUND support.

For more information, access the link https://www.biofund.org.mz/en/projects/biodiversity-offsets-program/

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).

This programme is financed by the European Union and implemented by BIOFUND in partnership with ANAC, and seeks to ensure the sustainable management of the natural resources in the APAIPS up to 2025, through disbursing the sum of 3.060.000,00 Euros (three million and sixty thousand euros), to finance activities during these period.

With this intervention, it is intended to implement for the first time sustainable and strategic initiatives to improve the administration and management capacity in the APAIPS, specifically: (a) to improve the protection and preservation of the most critical biological components of the APAIPS; (b) to establish and make operational the infrastructure and resources necessary to guarantee the full functioning of this conservation area; and (c) guarantee ownership by all the interested parties, including the local communities and government at all levels in relation to the goals and function of APAIPS until the conclusion of the project. This support will allow , the establishment of human resources capacity, operational procedures, as well as infrastructures are put into place for the first time allowing the full functioning of this important conservation area, which was created in 2012. This support substantially complements the basic support for operational costs that BIOFUND provides annually from its endowment (originally from the contribution of Conservation International in 2015, for specific long term support for APAIPS).

The activities on the ground will be implemented by the consortium headed by CTV which includes two other institutions, namely TerraNautics (a consultancy company with experience in the design, management and monitoring of conservation projects, both marine and terrestrial, the development of technological applications for the management of protected areas and prevention of crimes against wild life), and Conserve Global (a company whose goal is to safeguard protected areas outside of the national parks, ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources for the subsistence of communities). This consortium was chosen through a public tender, and will begin activities on the ground this year, in close collaboration with the APAIPS administration, as well as with other operational organisations, such as WWF  and others.

The PROMOVE Biodiversidade programme also supports the implementation of community development activities, conservation of biodiversity, and dissemination of applied research and participatory studies linked to the management of natural resources on Mount Mabu and in the Gilé National Park.

This programme forms part of a broader, integrated Rural Development programme of the European Union, known as “PROMOVE Global” which consists of 6 (six) specific programmes, namely PROMOVE Agribiz, PROMOVE Biodiversidade, PROMOVE Nutrição, PROMOVE Energia, PROMOVE Comércio and PROMOVE Transporte, all focused on Zambézia and Nampula provinces, and implemented by various organisations.

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.

Speaking at the plenary session on Innovation and Ocean, Alexandra Jorge, Director of Programs at BIOFUND, highlighted that the marine and coastal Conservation Areas are of great importance to maintain the balance of ecosystems, conservation of numerous species of fauna and flora, promotion of tourism and economic development of the surrounding communities.

Alexandra Jorge highlighted that BIOFUND has supported, since 2017, all 7 Conservation Areas of coastal and marine biodiversity in the country, namely the Maputo Special Reserve (REM), Ponta de Ouro Partial Marine Reserve (RMPPO), National Reserve of Pomene (RNP), Bazaruto Archipelago National Park (PNAB), Wild Sanctuary of Vilanculos in Cabo São Sebastião (SBV), Primeiras and Segundas Environmental Protection Area (APAIPS) and Quirimbas National Park (PNQ).

During the session, the representative of BIOFUND highlighted the role and added value of BIOFUND  for the conservation of biodiversity in Mozambique, referring to the direct and sustainable long-term support to public and private Conservation Areas in the country, the promotion of new leaders in conservation and also a focal point and fundraising agent for new innovative financing opportunities, highlighting recent opportunities available from the Rain Forest Trust to support new protected areas and from the Global Funds for Coral Reefs. BIOFUND was recently selected to be the convening agent for the GFCR in Mozambique, opening new opportunities for the protection, preservation, and investment in coral reefs in the country and new multi-sector synergies.

Also at the event, BIOFUND led the organization of a side-event on mangroves and marine sustainability in collaboration with the Instituto de Investigacao Pesqueira (IIP) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This hybrid event brought together around 60 participants and several national and international initiatives on mangrove conservation were presented and discussed, with emphasis on the Metrics to assess the condition of mangroves – a partnership between BIOFUND, UEM and WCS.

In this event of national and international scope, BIOFUND also marked its presence with an exhibition of marine and coastal biodiversity, presented by interns from the Leadership Program for the Conservation of Mozambique (PLCM), who interactively illustrated the main habitats to the public, the marine species existing in the marine and coastal Conservation Areas of Mozambique, as well as introduced the different programs implemented by BIOFUND. The exhibition had around 600 visitors, including the President of the Republic, Filipe Jacinto Nyusi, his counterpart the President of the Republic of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta and several foreign delegations, the Minister of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries, Augusta Maíta and other high-level nationals.

Follow here the different moments of this conference organized by the Ministry of the Sea, Inland Waters and Fisheries.

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.

This is the first visit offered under the campaign, the objective of which is to provide a unique experience with nature to the users of the Bio card. The winning couple, who are from Nampula province, had never had the opportunity to see such a variety of animals before, and they thought the experience was very good.

“We are very happy to be here because of the prize we won, and mainly because through the card we are contributing to the conservation of biodiversity. We have seen animals that we only used to see on television, such as an elephant. We were some 15 or 10 metres from the elephant, and it’s marvellous”, added António Lopes.

The Bio card is the first biodegradable bank card in Mozambique. It was created in 2017, as the result of a partnership between the BCI and BIOFUND. As part of its social responsibility, the BCI channels to BIOFUND a percentage (0.04%) of all the sums transactioned with the card, without additional costs to its users, as well as part of the annual card fee.

There are now more than 23,850 users of the Bio card, and thanks to the funds generated by this card,  BIOFUND has already supported the protection of rhinoceros in the Sábiè Game Park and the protection and conservation of a very rare species of a giant palm tree, Raphia australis.  It is an endangered species and it is located in the Bobole Botanical Reserve.

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”.

The event will have about 1,000 participants in  hybrid format, with 400 of them physically present, and the others attending virtually, including national and foreign researchers, investors and politicians, once again sharing knowledge and consulting in the context of the sustainable development objectives of the blue economy.

The Mangroves and Marine Sustainability is one of the themes being placed under debate during the second edition of the Growing Blue Conference. In order to share information and research undertaken by Mozambican and international specialists, the theme will be debated in a parallel hybrid event, held by the National Institute of Fisheries Research (IIP) in partnership with the IUCN and the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), from 8:30 to 11:00 on 19 November at the Nhafudo Hotel in Vilankulo.

At this Conference, BIOFUND will also leave its mark of exhibiting marine and coastal biodiversity through participation in the Growing Blue Exhibition-Fair, in the component of science, technology and innovation which will run during the two days of the event, involving the experience of some of the interns of the Mozambique Conservation Leadership Programme (PLCM) in marine areas, as well as a presentation on the role of environmental funds in the agenda of the oceans and the blue economy. Follow the major moments of this Conference by participating virtually through the link.

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.

To mark the opening of the fair, the Mayor of Maputo, Eneas Comiche, inaugurated the Inhaca municipal library at the Inhaca Noge Complete Primary School. He stressed the importance of the fair and of the library for the residents of Inhaca. “I feel honoured to initiate the Inhaca Book and Biodiversity Fair. Books sustain the scientific knowledge acquired in school, and the choice of the theme ‘Literature and Biodiversity’ draws attention to the most attractive areas of Inhaca island, which we have to protect”, stressed Eneas Comiche. Participating in the event were the writers Ungulani Ba Ka Khosa, Teresa Noronha, Álvaro Fausto Taruma (who was born on Inhaca), Aciena Manave, Juvenal Bucuane, Silvia Macie and Dionisío Manhiça.

The intersection between literature and the conservation of biodiversity is an unequalled opportunity to make society aware of the importance of the conservation of biodiversity. BIOFUND took part in the event and raised the awareness of more than 400 people, focusing particularly on children of between 6 and 15 years of age, through various activities of environmental education, such as the Biodiversity Exhibition and a lecture and play about the importance of conserving the mangrove forest, improvised with pupils aged between 9 and 12, which will remain in the memory of the residents of Inhaca. Also on this occasion, BIOFUND donated 10 information panels about marine species and habitats, to be used by the Inhaca Maritime Biology Station in its environmental education activities.

Also during this visit, synergies were explored with the Maputo Municipal Council as well as the Inhaca Maritime Biology Station to continue the environmental education programme, including the production of content, making materials available, sharing information, and training the children and young people of Inhaca Island, which is an integral part of the Ponta do Ouro Partial Marine Reserve. The Reserve is a beneficiary of BIOFUND.

Since 2015, BIOFUND has undertaken activities to publicise the importance and relevance of our biodiversity, through an annual biodiversity exhibition held in various provinces, mainly involving a young public and local schools, mostly at provincial level, through a variety of audio-visual materials. The Inhaca Book and Biodiversity Fair has boosted BIOFUND’s environmental education actions, reaching a more remote public, at district level, and also motivating teachers  to take up environmental themes. It also brings information about the main threats to our biodiversity and, above all, how to preserve it.