Congo Basin Pooled Fund
“Synchronicity Earth has really been brought on board as a catalyst for wellbeing within the communities. This has allowed us to have this longevity, this sustainability when it comes to our actions.”
Bihini Won Wa Musiti, Congo Basin Affiliate
Joining forces to support the most effective local groups
The Congo Basin Pooled Fund was established in 2017 with the goal of increasing the amount and effectiveness of conservation funding for the people and organisations working to protect this vital yet overlooked region. The Congo Basin contains the second largest unbroken tract of rainforest on Earth, yet some of the most impactful conservation organisations working in the region struggle to access the funding and support they need.
Why pool funding?
One of the greatest challenges for local and national conservation organisations in the Congo Basin is accessing the right kind of support. A large proportion of philanthropic – and multilateral – funding in the region goes to large international NGOs. Funding smaller, more grassroots groups that are led by local communities or Indigenous people can be complex and challenging.
The Congo Basin Pooled Fund offers funders the opportunity to support these harder to reach groups through our Congo Basin Programme. The Programme provides vital long-term funding, often including support for core costs and organisational development that helps give smaller, local organisations a stable and sustainable base from which to achieve their conservation goals and amplify their impact.
Pooling funding helps us to provide better financial and technical support to these organisations and creates space for learning among donors to the fund, facilitating better communications and relationship building with local organisations.
Julie Gagoe Tchoko (right), an affiliate with Synchronicity Earth’s Congo Basin programme. Image © Julie Gagoe Tchoko
Benefits of the Congo Basin Pooled Fund
Staff from Mbou Mon Tour, a partner in our Congo Basin Programme. Image © Chris Scarffe
For funders
A Baka woman in the village of Assoumindelé, southern Cameroon. Image © Well Grounded
For funded partners
“Synchronicity Earth’s funding is flexible and sustainable, which truly empowers local communities to meet their conservation needs. [It] allows communities to come and work together. With the small grants that we receive, we can already see the results.”
Salomé Elolo, FESO
How the pooled fund works
CASE STUDY: Recognising women’s land rights in the Congo Basin
“With Synchronicity Earth, there is no hierarchy. Synchronicity Earth takes time to listen to people and respond to their real needs. The communities themselves can testify to the results of this innovative approach.”
-Néné Mainzana (CFLEDD)
CFLEDD was established by Congolese women leaders and promotes women’s rights in environmental issues and sustainable development. Since 2018, we have supported CFLEDD to work with women in the Kasai Oriental province – a challenging area where mining industries extract diamonds and rural communities live in extreme poverty. CFLEDD has worked with women to identify their needs and conducted consultations with customary and local authorities. This work led to a real success story when four traditional village chiefs agreed to make 500 hectares available to be managed exclusively by women.
It was the first time in the DRC that local and customary authorities signed an agreement that recognizes women’s land rights. Since then, another agreement with signed to give 700 ha to another group of women. CFLEDD is now in the process of requesting 2 community forests for women. So far, this success story has shown the importance of building trusted relationships and facilitating discussions between women, customary chiefs, and provincial authorities – an approach developed by CFLEDD thanks to its communication and advocacy expertise, but also its ability to open dialogue between all stakeholders and make women’s voices heard.
As a result of Synchronicity Earth’s engagement in the Forests, People, Climate funder initiative for the Congo Basin and learning opportunities gained through the Congo Basin Pooled Fund, in 2023, three of our Congo Basin partner organisations successfully raised a total of USD 1.1 million, in addition to the funding they received from the Congo Basin Pooled Fund.
If you would like to contribute to the Congo Basin Pooled Fund, or are interested in learning more about it, please contact Sophie Grange-Chamfray, Knowledge and Learning Manager and Congo Basin Programme lead: Sophie@synchronicityearth.org
