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Strategic partnerships and Donors
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STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
Halvor Astrup
Halvor Astrup has been the first and major benefactor of the “new” Niassa Reserve. It was still during the country’s civil war, that Halvor was able to realize the reserve inherent potential while over flying the area. At a time when most of the country’s conservation areas were significantly devastated, the Niassa Reserve appeared to still have a rather large number of wildlife, especially elephants.
In 1992, when the war finished, Halvor was a key promoter of the Niassa Reserve conservation and was deeply involved in an initiative that aimed to guarantee that the Reserve would be protected for the benefit of present and future generations. He had a crucial role in a long process of negotiations with the Government of Mozambique that ended in 1998 with the approval of the new limits of the Niassa Reserve (including its buffer zone), the elaboration of its first management plan, and the establishment of SGDRN as a first public-private management entity for a conservation area in Mozambique.
In his support to the Reserve, Halvor bared the costs of establishing the initially basic infrastructure and management capacity in the Reserve. This included building the main camp at Mbatamila, providing the necessary field equipment, vehicles and plane, as well as supporting the salaries and food subsidies for all game guards and senior staff. His generous donations have also enabled the preparation of the first management plan for the reserve, as well as the first aerial survey. In many occasions Mr. Astrup provided his helicopter for the monitoring and anti-poaching surveillance in the Reserve as well as to fly potential donors and partners. Astrup’s financial contribution provided employment for almost 200 people in the region as casual forces to build and rehabilitate the road and bridge infrastructure. In addition to supporting the conservation and management work, Mr. Astrup funded the building of three rural primary schools and the rehabilitation of the Mecula Health Center as well as other health posts and payment of subsidies to several nurses and teachers.
Our deepest thanks and appreciation will forever go to Mr. Astrup for his commendable role and deepest commitment to the creation of the new Niassa Reserve.
Fauna & Flora International
The oldest international conservation organization in the world has been invited by SRN in 2000 to become a strategic partner in the effort of ensuring the long-term conservation and management of the Niassa Reserve. Initially, FFI assisted with the development of the first programme outline – “The Niassa Conservation and Community Development Program”, as well as with the undertaking of a donor survey and a very active fundraising campaign.
In 2002, SRN and FFI developed a MOU with the objective of strengthening SRN capacity and its ability to promote and conduct biodiversity conservation and community development activities in the Niassa Reserve. FFI is currently: (i) providing technical assistance to SRN in conservation management and community development; (ii) coordinating a comprehensive biodiversity survey and monitoring program; (iii) assisting SRN in the design and execution of a fundraising strategy; and (iv) providing financial resources as necessary and appropriate. FFI is currently supporting the operational expenses of the Reserve, including the salaries of all staff, as well as various studies and surveys essential for the development of a comprehensive management plan.
DONORS AND PROJECT-BASED PARTNERS
Grupo MADAL
Is one of the partners that with the Mozambican Government created SRN. MADAL assisted the creation of the initial conditions to launch the Niassa Reserve programme by providing the first office space in Maputo. MADAL valuable contribution to the project included the provision of staff and administrative services, namely import and acquisition of materials and equipment. MADAL paid some of the office running costs and helped to establish numerous contacts with the Government authorities in order to expedite the process of SRN establishment.
IUCN – The World Conservation Union/OXFAM UK/Ford Foundation
Made available a grant during 1996 – 1998, which enabled the undertaking of the first socio-economic study of the local communities.
Fearnly Foundation
One of the very first supporters of Niassa Reserve which contributed to the establishment of the protective fences around villages and production fields in order to prevent crop destruction and human injury caused from elephant invasions.
Tusk Trust
Has been involved in supporting the Niassa Reserve since 1998. Donations include five Land Rovers and one 7-ton Mercedes 4x4 Lorry, a complete mechanical workshop, a substantial spares package, and covering of the maintenance and fuel costs for the vehicles.
Disney Wildlife Conservation Fund
During 1999 and 2000, contributions made by this institution were channeled to SRN through Tusk Trust enabling: (i) the upgrading of the communication network through the purchase of radios, additional solar panels and batteries and installing the bushmail communication system in the Reserve; (ii) the improvement of the anti-poaching units efficiency through the realization of ranger training courses and provision of GPSs; and (iii) the support to local communities through the granting of three manual grinding mills.
John Ellerman Foundation
Contributions made by the John Ellerman Foundation were also channeled to SRN through Tusk Trust during 1999 - 2001. These were used to cover operating costs, such as fuel, vehicle, equipment, spares and maintenance costs in the Reserve, as well as salaries and food subsidies for game guards. Additionally, it covered the costs associated with travel, accommodation and instructors’ fees for a ranger-training course.
WWF- SARPO
Is currently implementing a Community Based Natural Resources Management Project in the Niassa Reserve. The project is funded by NORAD and was initiated in 2001. Its implementation period is intended for 5 years in 3 of the villages located inside the Reserve. The project aims to empower the communities, through community leaders training, as to ensure an active participation in the management of the natural resources. The project also involves the employment and training of community officers and facilitators. A second component incorporates the improvement of the working and accommodation conditions for the Reserve senior staff. A new car and motorcycle were bought in order to provide mobility to the community officers. In addition, WWF supported SRN in facilitating the development of the integrated management plan.
US Fish and Wildlife Service
The first project supported by USFWS was initiated in 2000 through the African Elephant Conservation Fund. It was primarily aimed at building the staff capacity to manage the Reserve and funds available funds were used for training of the game guards force, building and rehabilitation of outposts, and covering salaries of game guards based in the Western part of the Reserve. Additionally, funds were also used to purchase vehicles and fuel, equipment, uniforms and gear, as well as to support the electric fencing program and the conduction of wildlife aerial surveys. In 2003, USFWS approved a second two-year project, to be managed by FFI, in order to continue the strengthening of SRN capacity to ensure the efficiency of its anti-poaching programme. This project provided the technical assistance necessary to develop a coherent anti-poaching strategy while also comprising the components of further training, acquisition of additional vehicles and field equipment and the carrying of a series of feasibility studies both in the core and buffer areas.
USAID
Initiated in 2003 its support to the “Niassa – Selous Biodiversity Conservation Project”, a project currently managed by FFI in partnership with SRN. The project aims to: (i) establish the most efficient structure for the Niassa Reserve; (ii) support the negotiations with the Government for a longer- term lease over Niassa Reserve; (iii) conduct a biodiversity survey; and (iv) organize and conduct a workshop on transboundary collaboration between Niassa and Selous.
The Humane Society of US/EarthVoice
Supported the efforts to reduce the human elephant conflict in Niassa Reserve by providing funds for electric fencing and the required technical assistance for project development and fundraising.
MIKE/CITES
Provided most of the funds for the realization of the 2002 wildlife aerial survey. Is currently supporting the establishment of the MIKE system by providing training and necessary equipment to the reserve staff.
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