The issue of sustainability for conservation interventions is usually addressed by one or a combination of five strategies:
- establishing sustainable funding mechanisms such as a Trust or Endowment Fund;
- building local human capacity to manage conservation issues;
- fostering private sector involvement in conservation;
- establishing/assisting commercially viable conservation projects; and
- leveraging further donor funding.
An Endowment Fund for the Eastern Arc Mountains is one of the outcomes for the Big GEF project (GEF 2002). An alternative sustainable funding mechanism is suggested in this profile: a Resource Mobilization Unit. This unit will become self-sustaining through the funds it raises. Local human capacity will be built by 14 of the investment priorities. Fostering private sector involvement can be done through four of them. Commercially viable conservation projects are the outcome of two-three investment priorities. Leveraging of further donor funding is the only possible strategy for five of the investment priorities. It will also be necessary if the small grants are to continue and it should be pursued by the RMU for all priorities as opportunity arises.
Previous: CEPF Investment Strategy and Priorities / Next: Conclusion