Communities in the districts of Memba, Nacala à Velha and Mossuril, in Nampula Province, have received their first financial incentives for achieving mangrove restoration and protection targets. The landmark ceremonies, held on 25 and 26 August in Memba and Mossuril, brought together more than 150 participants, including representatives of local authorities, communities and partners involved in implementing the Futuro Azul project.

More than MZN 953,000 were distributed among six communities for achieving targets to restore 117 hectares and protect 850 hectares of mangroves. The payments were made under a pilot Biodiversity Offsets project implemented by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND), in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and the National Directorate for Environment and Climate Change (DINAMC), in collaboration with the Futuro Azul project.

The cheques were handed over under a Performance Based Payment mechanism linked to Biodiversity Offsets, through which community associations receive financial rewards based on restoration results independently verified in the field. The verification of the January to June 2026 cycle, conducted in July, confirmed that the communities had achieved the established targets. This innovative mechanism in Mozambique makes it possible to guarantee and channel visible, immediate benefits to communities that contribute to local biodiversity conservation.

In Memba, the cheque handover ceremony for communities in Memba and Nacala à Velha was led by the District Permanent Secretary, Daniel Gimo, representing the District Administrator. In his remarks, the government official expressed his appreciation to BIOFUND and the Futuro Azul project partners for an initiative that not only promotes conservation but also delivers tangible benefits to communities, making a significant contribution to the Government’s development priorities.

“The Government has many partners, but BIOFUND and WCS stand out because of the tangible and impactful results being achieved in communities,” he said. He urged the beneficiary communities to use the funds responsibly and to continue their efforts to protect mangroves for their own benefit.

The beneficiary communities expressed their satisfaction and said that part of the funds would be used to address basic community needs, including the construction of water wells, the construction and rehabilitation of schools, the purchase of school desks, and the acquisition of recreational materials and equipment, such as footballs and other equipment for young people.

In Mossuril District, the cheque handover ceremony was led by the District Permanent Secretary, Luisa Nahone, representing the District Administrator.

The initiative is part of the Habitat Improvement Pilot Projects, which have been implemented since 2021 under the COMBO+ Programme, with financial support from the Government of Sweden through the Biodiversity Conservation Programme.