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.