Biofund

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.

In 2020 I had the opportunity to be part of the 1st 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.

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 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.

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.

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.

Decorreu entre os dias 10 e 11 de Agosto na Cidade de Maputo, o treinamento do sector privado sobre o novo Diploma Ministerial para a implementação dos Contrabalanços de Biodiversidade em Moçambique (Directiva n° 55/2022). O treinamento organizado pela Direcção Nacional do Ambiente (DINAB) em coordenação com a Fundação para a Conservação da Biodiversidade (BIOFUND) e a Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), através do Programa COMBO+  teve como objectivo, reforçar a capacidade e consciencialização do sector privado para a operacionalização da nova Directiva dos Contrabalanços (Diploma Ministerial nº 55/2022 de 19 de Maio) e a correcta implementação dos Contrabalanços de Biodiversidade em Moçambique.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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.

A história do Sérgio no sector da conservação começou em 2021 quando foi admitido para a 2ª edição de estágios pré-profissionais do Programa de Liderança para a Conservação de Moçambique (PLCM), um programa de treino e capacitação implementado pela Fundação para a Conservação da Biodiversidade – BIOFUND em coordenação com a Administração Nacional das Áreas de Conservação (ANAC).

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 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.

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).

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.

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 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

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

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.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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”.

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.

Under the motto “Nourish the Future: undertake and innovate for sustainable production” the 1st edition of the Quelimane Youth Fair, was held in the city of Quelimane. This event was organised by the French Embassy in Mozambique and the Licungo University, with funding from the European Union. Participating in the fair were the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and other partners.

This is the first capacity building exercise undertaken by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) and the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), in the framework of implementing the PROMOVE Biodiversidade (Promote Biodiversity) project, which seeks to support the Conservation of Biodiversity and Community Development on Mount Mabu.

This study is being undertaken by the Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) in the framework of the Biodiversity Offset Programme, implemented with the financial support of the World Bank/MozBio2 Project and UNDP/BIOSFAC in partnership with the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), the National Environment Directorate (DINAB) and the National Directorate of Forests (DINAF).