The resources were allocated to the following agreed products, organised in line with BIOFUND’s 2018–2022 Strategic Plan:

Component 1: Consolidate BIOFUND

• Review/Update of the BIOFUND 2023–2027 Strategic Plan;
• Independent Institutional Assessment of BIOFUND;
• Definition of professional categories and career paths, as well as the development of a performance evaluation system for employees;
• Training on investments;
• Development of BIOFUND’s Administration and Finance Division;
• Support in organising the 2020 Annual Meeting of African Environmental Funds (CAFÉ – 2020).

Component 2: Financing for Conservation

• Institutional strengthening (Financial Support to ANAC) – aimed at supporting ANAC in the initial preparation of the project document for the European Union, now under implementation;
• Reinforcement of ANAC Staff:
  – Director of Operations;
  – GIS and Research Officer;
  – Environmental Education Officer;
  – Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer.

Component 3: Creation of an Enabling Environment

• Annual training in Financial Management and Planning for Protected Areas (PAs);
• Annual planning meeting between BIOFUND and ANAC.

Component 1

• The BIOFUND Strategic Plan 2023–2027 was reviewed, validated and approved, representing the institution’s third strategic plan. The new plan reinforces the focus on financing biodiversity management and preservation inside and outside Conservation Areas, as well as strengthening biodiversity monitoring in Mozambique, including increased support for research;
• Independent Institutional Assessment completed, strengthening the Foundation’s governance and efficiency (Final report);
• Professional categories, career paths and performance evaluation system developed, approved by the Board of Directors and implemented from 2022 (Final report);
• Investment Policy and Terms of Reference for the Investment Committee members produced, along with investment training, strengthening internal financial management capacity in June 2019 (Final report);
• Administration and Finance Division assessed and redesigned to strengthen accountability processes and institutional capacity (Final report);
• CAFÉ Assembly organised and held on 8 October 2021, in hybrid format (virtual and in-person in Maputo), with BIOFUND as host. The event brought together more than one thousand participants from around the world under the theme “Experience Exchange as a Key Factor for the Success of Biodiversity Conservation: Promoting Conservation in Times of Crisis in Africa”. The assembly provided a platform for experience sharing on the role of environmental funds in promoting synergies for biodiversity conservation in Africa.

Component 2

• BIOFUND provided technical support for the initial preparation of ANAC’s project document for the European Union. The document was completed and signed between the parties in 2020.
• Reinforcement of ANAC staff: four technical officers were hired:
  • Director of Operations: strengthened CA management through the development of management instruments, improvement of field operations and creation of Management Councils and Community Conservation Areas;
  • GIS and Research Officer: supported consolidation of ANAC’s scientific component, reviewing the research strategy, producing technical guides and essential management maps, and establishing collaboration agreements with research institutions;
  • Environmental Education Officer: ensured advances in environmental awareness, monitoring activities in CAs, training communities and preparing ANAC’s Environmental Education Plan, including the development of the ANAC SAFARIS programme and coordination mechanisms with partners;
  • Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Officer: strengthened ANAC’s planning and evaluation systems, preparing strategic instruments, supporting the design of partner-funded projects, creating the institutional database and preparing annual performance plans and reports.

Component 3

Annual courses on Financial Management, Planning for Conservation Area technicians, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Safeguards were conducted, strengthening institutional capacities.