Across the vast landscape of Coutada 10, located along the southwestern boundary of the Marromeu National Reserve in Sofala Province, conservation is driven not only by rangers and patrols. It is carried out by ordinary people: mothers, young people and community leaders who help protect the land that has sustained them for generations.

Marromeu Safaris, the concession holder that has managed the coutada for more than a decade, has played a central role in transforming this relationship. The company introduced a participatory management model that places communities at the heart of conservation. One of the most impactful elements of this collaboration is the regular distribution of meat from controlled hunting. In addition to strengthening household food security, this practice significantly reduces pressure on wildlife by decreasing the need for illegal hunting. Communities recognise these direct benefits and respond with increased commitment to protecting wildlife that contributes to their well-being.

Marromeu Safaris has also invested in social initiatives that build local resilience. With support from partners such as the Associação Portuguesa de Apoio à África (APOIAR), school kitchens have been established to provide two daily meals to children in local schools, particularly at Bichote Primary School. These meals have improved child nutrition, reduced school absenteeism and created better learning conditions, further reinforcing the positive impact of conservation on future generations.

Additional community actions include support for environmental education, small-scale economic initiatives and infrastructure improvements, all of which strengthen the capacity of local communities to manage their territory and participate actively in local development.

Today, Coutada 10 shows that conservation and human well-being are deeply interconnected. When communities are valued, involved and directly benefit from natural resources, they become natural stewards of the landscape, ensuring the continuity of biodiversity and the sustainability of economic activities.

BIOFUND’s recent visit to the Marromeu Complex reinforced this shared commitment. The initiatives currently underway in Coutada 10 will gain new momentum with the upcoming Coastal Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project (CLCR), financed by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC),  and set to begin in 2026. This project will provide an even stronger foundation for strengthening conservation, supporting communities and promoting truly sustainable development across the Marromeu landscape.