What is the Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund?
The Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF) is a Trust Fund that was established as a mechanism to provide for long term, reliable and sustainable funding support to biodiversity conservation in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania.
EAMCEF was officially registered in Tanzania on 6th June 2001, under the Trustees’ Incorporation Ordinance No. 375 of 1956. It was set up as a joint initiative of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the World Bank and the Global Environment Facility (GEF). The Trust Fund operates as a Not-for-Profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).
'Conserving Biodiversity for Sustainable Development'.
Vision
A Conservation Fund sufficiently endowed to provide the financial resources necessary to ensure effective, long-term conservation and management of forest biodiversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania.
To promote the protection of biological diversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains, targeting priority areas of significant diversity.
To promote the involvement of the local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources and bio-diversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains and to assist them in benefiting from such conservation and sustainable management (GuidelinesforLocalAdvisoryCommittee.pdf).
To ensure benefits, whether financial, technical or material arising from the Fund’s activities, pass to local communities in its areas of operation.
To provide long-term reliable support for projects and research which promote the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources in the Eastern Arc Mountains and contribute to the promotion of the economic and social welfare of the communities in the region (Guidelines for Preparation of Project Proposals).
To promote the collection and dissemination of information and advise concerning the Eastern Arc Mountains and their global conservation value (SpeciesbyforestreservesReport.pdf).
To enter into covenants or agreements, including but not limited to; joint management agreements, leases; and licenses with other identified stakeholders, including: local communities, central and local governments, the business community, private sector and individuals, over any land and immovable property as may have been acquired by the Fund, PROVIDED ALWAYS that such agreements are in the long-term interests of conservation.
To provide liaison between government agencies, civil society and the private sector in conservation and environment matters.
As an insubstantial part of the activities of the Trust and only to extent permitted by a charity organization, to advocate for policies, regulations and laws that are designed to promote sustainable development and conservation.
To co-operate with any person or organization with objectives similar to those of the Fund
Major Mountain blocks of the Eastern Arc spread over fifteen districts in five regions of Tanzania namely, Tanga (East and West Usambara, and Nguu Mountains), Kilimanjaro (North and South Pare Mountains), Morogoro (Nguru, Uluguru, Ukaguru, Udzungwa, Malundwe, Mahenge and Rubeho Mountains), Dodoma (Rubeho Mountains) and Iringa (Udzungwa Mountains).
The Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania cover a total area of approximately 5,350 km2.
When combined with the Southern Rift, the Albertine Rift and the Ethiopian Highlands, the Eastern Arc Mountains form the Eastern Afromontane Ecoregion which is recognized globally as one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots on earth, characterized by high concentrations of endemic species. The area is currently under great threat due to a number of human influences. The biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains is locally of great value for mitigating the impacts of rural poverty. About 40% of total household consumption in some forest adjacent communities is accounted for by forest and woodland products such as firewood, construction material, medicinal herbs, wild fruits and other food materials.
Nationally, the Eastern Arc Mountain forests cover several major catchment areas which collectively provide water for most of the nations’ coastal communities, including Dar-es-Salaam with its population of over 4 Million people and most of the major industries in the country. Hydro-electric energy production in Tanzania is heavily dependent on maintaining the integrity of these forests. About 60% of Tanzania's electricity is generated from water sources derived from the Eastern Arc Mountain forests, e.g. Kidatu, Mtera, Hale, Nyumba ya Mungu and Kihansi hydropower stations.
The main intention of establishing the Trust Fund is to address the need for a long-term sustainable approach to funding the conservation of forest biodiversity in the important ecosystem. Unlike the time limited projects, EAMCEF was established and will continue to operate as a long-term institution. Inadequate and poorly targeted public and donor resources for forest biodiversity in the Eastern Arc has meant that there has been a limited view of long-term resource requirements and financing needs.
In all its endeavours, EAMCEF is committed to work with and through partners under some mutually agreed collaborative arrangements.
Why Collaboration?
To increase synergy and maximize conservation impact.
Avoid overlap, competition, duplication and capitalize on the overall effect of complementarity and additionality.
Avail efficient use of resources available in the Eastern Arc.
Make the best use of available time and present expertise.
Impact on sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability to key stakeholders so as to increase the chances for sustainability of programme activities.
Types of Collaboration
In theory, EAMCEF collaborates with all Stakeholders impacting positively/negatively on the Eastern Arc Mountains ecosystem. The envisioned collaboration agreements with the EAMCEF partners are through the following major arrangements:-
Direct funding to some primary beneficiaries.
Co-financing/partnering with other operators.
Resource leveraging from key partners/beneficiaries.
Networking and information sharing with key collaborators.
Sharing of equipment and other operating resources with partners working in the Eastern Arc Mountains.
Receiving financial, material and technical support from entities interested in the conservation of the Eastern Arc Mountains.
