Friends of Conservation and Development
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| Friends of Conservation and Development | |
|---|---|
| Name | Friends of Conservation and Development |
| Formation | 1980s |
| Type | Non-governmental organization |
| Headquarters | Nairobi, Kenya |
| Region served | East Africa, West Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America |
| Leader title | Executive Director |
Friends of Conservation and Development is an international non-profit organization focused on biodiversity protection, community-based natural resource management, and sustainable livelihoods. Founded in the late 20th century, it operates in multiple countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, engaging with protected areas, indigenous communities, and intergovernmental bodies. The organization collaborates with conservation networks, academic institutions, and philanthropic foundations to implement field programs and policy advocacy.
History
The organization traces roots to conservation movements emerging after the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development and the rise of transnational NGOs such as World Wildlife Fund, Conservation International, and The Nature Conservancy. Early initiatives paralleled programs by African Wildlife Foundation, Wildlife Conservation Society, and IUCN projects in the 1980s and 1990s. Expansion followed partnerships with regional bodies like the East African Community, cooperation with academic centers such as University of Nairobi and Makerere University, and collaboration with multilateral development agencies including the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme. The group’s milestones include community-based projects modeled after approaches used by Jane Goodall Institute, pilot payments for ecosystem services inspired by schemes in Costa Rica and advocacy aligned with frameworks under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
Mission and Objectives
The stated mission aligns with conservation agendas promoted by Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora signatories, seeking to conserve critical habitats, support indigenous peoples rights, and promote sustainable use consistent with Ramsar Convention principles. Core objectives mirror those adopted by peer organizations like BirdLife International and Fauna & Flora International: protecting key biodiversity areas, enhancing community stewardship seen in REDD+ discussions, and advancing evidence-based conservation through collaborations with institutions such as Smithsonian Institution, Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, and regional research centers.
Programs and Projects
Programs combine field conservation, capacity building, and policy engagement. Field work often targets protected areas recognized under World Heritage Convention listings and Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas identified by BirdLife International. Projects include anti-poaching initiatives resembling operations by TRAFFIC and community ranger schemes comparable to programs run by African Parks. Livelihood interventions draw on methodologies used by Heifer International and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation. Research partnerships have involved universities such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, Stanford University, and regional entities like University of Cape Town and University of Dar es Salaam. Policy efforts engage with conventions including CITES, the Paris Agreement, and regional platforms like the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity.
Organizational Structure and Governance
Governance follows models used by international NGOs, with a board of trustees similar to boards at Conservation International and an executive team with program directors overseeing regional offices in capitals like Nairobi, Kigali, Lima, and Bangkok. Advisory panels have included experts affiliated with National Geographic Society, Royal Geographical Society, and leading conservation scientists from institutions such as Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust. Internal compliance frameworks reference standards set by entities like Charity Commission for England and Wales and donor requirements from United States Agency for International Development and European Commission funding mechanisms.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding sources mirror diversified portfolios seen across the sector: grants from foundations such as the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and Ford Foundation; contracts with multilateral lenders including the World Bank and African Development Bank; and corporate partnerships akin to corporate social responsibility programs by firms like IKEA Foundation and HSBC. Collaborative partnerships include memoranda of understanding with government agencies such as ministries of environment in partner countries, regional NGOs like Greenpeace and Sierra Club affiliates, and technical collaborations with research institutes including CIFOR and ICRAF.
Impact and Conservation Outcomes
Reported impacts cite outcomes similar to those documented in comparable NGO evaluations: increases in wildlife populations in project areas modeled after successes at Virunga National Park and community tenure gains parallel to cases in Bolivia and Nepal. Monitoring and evaluation use indicators compatible with IUCN Red List assessments and official reporting under the Convention on Biological Diversity. Publications and case studies have appeared in venues associated with Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment and policy briefs circulated among networks such as Global Environment Facility stakeholders.
Controversies and Criticism
Like many actors in the conservation sector, the organization has faced critiques akin to debates involving African Parks and other NGOs: concerns over community consultation practices paralleled to disputes in Chitwan National Park and questions about corporate partnerships similar to controversies involving WWF. Criticism has addressed land-rights negotiation processes comparable to disputes documented in Ramsar site contexts and scrutiny regarding effectiveness reminiscent of analyses published by scholars at University of Sussex and think tanks like Chatham House. The organization has periodically undertaken independent audits and adapted policies in response to recommendations from bodies such as Transparency International and donor reviews by DFID.