Category: News

For nature conservation, financing Protected Areas (PAs) is a crucial issue given the growing interest of NGOs, decision-makers, and citizens in environmental matters. In developing countries, PAs receive on average less than 30% of the funding needed to ensure basic management of conservation actions. Why is funding for Protected Areas essential, and how can we achieve sustainable financing for Madagascar’s Protected Areas System (SAPM)? The Importance of protected areas and the financial gap of PAs PAs are vital for our survival due to the ecosystem services they provide: resources for food, water regulation and cycling, carbon storage, mitigation of climate change effects, and the landscape beauty. The existence of PAs ensures the survival of humanity in general and of neighboring communities for instance (water supply, soil fertility, medicinal plants). They ensure the productivity of the primary sector and resilience to climate change.   PA managers face a considerable challenge: finding …

Antananarivo, August 24, 2023 – The Association of Journalists for the Environment (AJE), Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) and VARUNA project officially launched a call for reporting projects on 27 July, recognising the crucial role of the media and journalists in raising public awareness and advocacy for biodiversity conservation. The initiative aims to encourage and support biodiversity-minded journalists to produce original stories about local communities and experts involved in biodiversity conservation, and to highlight remote protected areas. Spotlight on the men and women behind conservation Madagascar’s biodiversity and the threats it faces are well known, but far less well known are those who are working to conserve it for the benefit of local communities, the region and even the country. However, many communities and professionals are achieving positive and encouraging results in biodiversity conservation. Among these communities, many have experienced a significant change in behaviour. Repentant charcoal burners …

AUDIO TRANSCRIPTION OF THE ECO NATURE PROGRAM FROM AUGUST 17, 2023 Opening credits: < Eco Nature, a programme produced by RVS to talk about ecology, nature and the ecosystem related to the environment. Eco Nature with Ony Rasolomalala > Ony (O) : Hello and welcome to Eco Nature with Ony Rasolomalala. And as we said, we’re going to talk about the ecosystem, ecology, nature and the environment. As with every show, we have a guest to talk about a particular topic. Today, we have Roda OPERMAN, Communication and Advocacy Officer at Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM). Hello Roda. Roda (R): Good morning Mrs Ony Rasolomalala, thank you for inviting me. I’m very happy to be with you today. O : Well, my very first question: what is a protected area? R : A protected area is really a delimited territory, either terrestrial or aquatic, that has significant biological …

Antananarivo, 04 Septembre 2023 — BNI MADAGASCAR and Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) are proud to announce the signing of a financing agreement for a forest restoration project at the Maromizaha protected area (Alaotra Mangoro region), managed by the Groupe d’Etudes et de Recherches sur les Primates (GERP). The funding will cover the maintenance of 62 hectares of restored degraded areas, requiring the planting of 45,000 seedlings, mainly native species, over a one-year period. As a sustainable funding mechanism for Madagascar’s protected areas, FAPBM will play a key role in managing the fund and monitoring its impact, while GERP will implement the technical activities. Maromizaha: an example of good forest management Located in eastern Madagascar, the Maromizaha Protected Area is home to a dense moistering managed by GERP. This forest provides essential ecosystem services to local communities, such as drinking water and surrounding crops field irrigation. It also …

Madagascar National Parks (MNP) and the Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) have signed a financing agreement to fight fires in MNP’s protected areas. This signature reflects the firm determination of MNP to fight the fires that threaten the Protected Areas in its network. These fires, which account for 2% of Madagascar’s annual fire rate in these precious areas, represent a serious threat to biodiversity, ecological balance and the way of life of local communities. With this critical situation, MNP is committed to a global and strategic approach, highlighting the importance of Protected Areas and mobilising all stakeholders for preventive, active and restorative action. MNP-FAPBM synergy: Strengthening the means to protect Protected Areas MNP will receive funding from FAPBM to implement its fire-fighting strategy. An emergency fund will be available to the 17 most vulnerable protected areas in the MNP network, representing 1.48 million hectares of wildlife habitat ecosystems. …

Antananarivo, August 11, 2023 – The Danish Hempel Foundation and Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) signed a grant agreement for a long-term Professional Training Program in favour of Malagasy professionals and community leaders. The goal is to strengthen their skills needed to protect biodiversity and ensure that ecosystems will continue to provide much-needed services such as clean water, healthy forests and productive coastal waters. FAPBM’s experts will manage the program so that communities and professionals can succeed in managing Madagascar’s important network of protected areas.   Local training to accelerate and grow local, regional, national and global impacts   Madagascar’s network of protected areas can play a key role for the country’s development as the protected areas can support local, regional and national economic growth. In fact, according to a recent study (FAPBM,2022), Madagascar’s 123 protected areas contribute approximately USD 450 million per year to various key strategic …

Antsiranana June 19, 2023 -The 21st Meeting of Contributors to Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund took place on June 19th in Antsiranana, under the leadership of Mr. Bruno Rajaspera. It brought together members of the Board of Directors of the FAPBM, as well as historical contributors to FAPBM, such as the Government of Madagascar represented by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development and the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Conservation International and WWF (founders of FAPBM), KfW, AFD, and the World Bank. FAPBM organizes a meeting every year to discuss the necessary strategic and tactical directions to advance FAPBM’s mission, with a retrospective of Year 2022. Indeed, as a trust fund, FAPBM collects donations and invests them in financial markets instead of directly transferring them to beneficiary organizations. Only the generated income is used to finance protected areas. Thus FAPBM constitutes a robust and reliable financial mechanism capable …

Antananarivo, June 2, 2023 – Bruno Rajaspera, acting Country Director of Conservation International Madagascar, has been elected as the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of FAPBM. He succeeds Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana for a two-year term. This new presidency went along with the renewal of the Executive Committee and the integration of new members into the Board, which is made of a plethora of multisectoral experts: Hanta Zo RAKOTOVAO, Vice-Chairman, Head of Legal and Regulatory Department at Orange Madagascar, Freddy RAJAONERA ANDRIAMBELO, Treasurer, Deputy General Manager of Chocolaterie Robert, Alexis BEFENO, Member, Team Leader in the Industry Division of PROPARCO, a subsidiary of AFD dedicated to the private sector. Hary Tiana RAHAINGOALISON, Member, Agronomist, specialist in coordination and monitoring of international projects in Madagascar, James RANAIVOSON, Member, Former Director’s Advisor at the European Investment Bank, Jean Hervé BAKARIZAFY, Member, Director of Protected Areas, Renewable Natural Resources, and Ecosystems at the Ministry of …

May 24 2023 – On the occasion of World Biodiversity Day on May 22, 2023, the Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) and the artist association La Teinturerie are launching the second edition of the Art and Biodiversity project. This is a competition for small cultural projects aimed at supporting cultural initiatives that contribute to advocating for the protection and preservation of Madagascar’s biodiversity. With nearly two-thirds of Madagascar’s population estimated to be under the age of 25, the competition specifically targets them as both actors and the primary beneficiaries and recipients of the works. Art is recognized as a privileged medium for effectively conveying awareness messages to the general public. The first edition of the project in 2022 resulted in various artworks showcasing the richness of Madagascar’s biodiversity while also highlighting the threats it faces and the consequences for the population. This year’s theme is “From Agreement to Action: …

Morondava, 17 May 2023 – The protected areas of Andranomena, Kirindy Mitea, Menabe Antimena and Allée des Boababs (Western Madagascar) will benefit of a grant from the Danish Hempel Foundation for the implementation of the project “Protection of the baobab forests of Western Madagascar”. The funding, amounting to DKK 15 million from 2022-2025, will be dedicated to maintaining the biodiversity and ecological integrity of the Menabe baobab forest landscape, securing the livelihoods of local communities, and implementing effective conservation governance of the landscape. Protected area security, reforestation, management coordination, development, and financial empowerment of protected areas will be significantly strengthened with this additional funding. Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM) will be in charge of the financial management of the project, and the Consortium of protected area managers formed by Madagascar National Parks, Fanamby and Durrell will be in charge of its implementation. FAPBM and the Consortium officially launched …

FAPBM invests nearly USD 700,000 in Miarakap impact fund. It is counting on the performance of local start-ups to finance protected areas in Madagascar. Created in 2005 to ensure the sustainability of funding for Madagascar’s Protected Areas System, FAPBM has established a sustainable financial mechanism that benefits 64 of Madagascar’s 123 protected areas to date. Indeed, FAPBM mobilizes capital and invests it on the financial markets. Only the annual revenues generated are used to finance the protected areas. The investments of this capital follow a strict policy of ethics in terms of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria. Impact investing to support conservation The investment policy adopted by the Board of Directors requires FAPBM to devote 15% of its capital to environmental and social impact projects, in order to strengthen its environmental and social impact. Beyond the conservation of Madagascar’s unique natural capital, FAPBM is thus broadening its scope of …

FAPBM, represented by Serge Ratsirahonana, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, presented the main results of the study on the economic contribution of protected areas, during the workshop on equitable benefit sharing. The workshop was organized by the KOBABY DIANA project coordinated by Hanta Rabetaliana. It brought together stakeholders in DIANA protected areas to assess the progress of governance and management of protected areas (PAs) and activities (especially economic) aimed at strengthening, enhancing and sustaining PAs, which are key to the economic development strategies of rural territories. The DIANA protected areas, an important support for the regional economy The region has 19 protected areas with an estimated surface area of 2,367,026 ha, i.e., 33.4% of the total surface area of Madagascar’s protected areas. Each of them supports and contributes significantly to the rural economy and industries of the region. Here are some examples: In the Manongarivo Protected Area, managed by Madagascar National …

The Madagascar Protected Areas and Biodiversity Fund (FAPBM), currently the largest biodiversity conservation trust fund in Africa, and its main implementing partner, Madagascar National Parks (MNP), chose to participate in the 6th Global Landscapes Forum (GLF) Symposium on March 7, 2023 to share that Madagascar is open to investment in its people and nature. The two organizations were respectively represented by Nanie Ratsifandrihamanana, President of the FAPBM Board of Trustees, Alain Liva Raharijaona, Executive Director of FAPBM, Aroniaina Rajaonarivo, Head of Operations of MNP, and Liliane Parany, Project Manager of MNP. They called for more investment in Madagascar, building on the system of 123 protected areas in Madagascar, which the government has put in place to preserve critical places for nature. Their speeches emphasized (i) the sustainable financing mechanisms proposed by FAPBM (ii) the expertise of protected area managers, (iii) the collaboration between the Government and other stakeholders through the …

Antananarivo, March 21, 2023 – The Madagascar Coalition for Protected Areas has focused on the successes of forest conservation efforts, as well as the relevance of collaboration to achieve a sustainable economy in Madagascar. Madagascar protects its natural forest assets mainly through its national system of protected areas. Currently there are 123 Protected Areas across the nation, in places that represent the country’s biological diversity, different types of forest habitats, its natural heritage, and the homes of extraordinary wildlife. For years, thousands of Malagasy experts from government, NGOs and communities have been working to create and manage these unique places. Unfortunately, as Madagascar’s economic situation continues a downward trend, these experts and local communities are increasingly challenged in their efforts. Indeed, it is mostly the stories about forest fires and illegal logging that dominate the news. However, stories about forest fires and illegal logging continue to dominate the news. However, there …

Antananarivo, March 8, 2023 – Today the Madagascar Coalition for Protected Areas, has raised attention to women leaders and -heroes for the environment, and their important contributions to achieve a sustainable economy in Madagascar. Madagascar protects its natural forest heritage mainly through its national system of protected areas. Currently, there are 123 protected areas across the nation, in places that represent the country’s biological diversity, different types of forest habitats, natural heritage, and exceptional wildlife. For years, thousands of Malagasy women working in government, NGOs, and communities have worked to manage these unique places. These women are increasingly challenged in their efforts. Unfortunately, as Madagascar’s economic status continues a downward trend, forest fires, illegal logging, and poaching continue to make headlines. And their successes are not well known. However, many continue to work tirelessly and achieve notable successes for their families and the environment. The Madagascar Coalition for Protected Areas …

Antananarivo, March 3, 2023 – The Madagascar Coalition for Protected Areas has raised attention to the success of wildlife conservation efforts and their relevance for a sustainable economy in Madagascar. Madagascar protects its unique wildlife mainly through its national system of protected areas. Currently, there are 123 Protected Areas across the nation, in places that represent the country’s biological diversity, natural heritage, and the homes of extraordinary wildlife. For years, thousands of Malagasy experts from the government, NGOs and communities have worked to create and manage these unique places. Unfortunately, as Madagascar’s economic status continues a downward trend, these experts and local communities increasingly challenged in their efforts. Their successes are not well known, and instead, negative news about forest fires and species extinction affects investment in solutions. This has provided strong arguments to build the Madagascar coalition for protected areas, as there is ample evidence that protected areas -as agents …

Local communities’ mobilization is quite challenging for protected area managers. This is starting to be no longer the case at the Montagne des Français, a SAGE site, as local communities voluntarily preserve the protected area. SAGE, the protected area manager, has been able to change their behaviour by calling out strategic communication and conservation rewards system. By encouraging voluntary sustainable management of natural resources, manager save money to invest significantly in development activities. Raising awareness through testimonies “To raise communities awareness, explaining nature’s benefit is not enough. Conservation issues must be illustrated by testimonies of people with whom the communities identify. I exposed the consequences of the non-sustainable use of forests, sharing the case of people from Ivonona commune, located 30 km from Antsiranana. In 2014, those people championed in charcoal production. Two years later, following the forest loss, water had become scarce, and communities had to purchase water in Antsiranana. …