Every April 22, Earth Day reminds us how crucial it is to act together to protect life and our planet. On this occasion, the French Facility for Global Environment (FFEM) highlights two projects it supports, at the crossroads of scientific innovation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.

To better understand the work of the FFEM, we invite you to meet Xavier Debade, who joined FFEM in July 2023 as a project manager focusing on forest conservation and ecosystem restoration. As the largest reservoir of terrestrial biodiversity, forests play a crucial role in climate regulation.

With his expertise, Xavier helps advance one of FFEM’s key priorities: in line with France’s international commitments, we aim to support zero-deforestation initiatives, the development of land, soil, and forest restoration models, and the production of data on the performance of agroecological, agroforestry, and forestry systems.

From February 2 to 7, the Forum celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Small Initiatives Program (PPI) marked two decades of concrete actions and exemplary commitments to the preservation of African biodiversity. Led by the French Global Environment Facility (FFEM) and the French Committee of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), this program supports African Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in their efforts to preserve a unique natural heritage and promote sustainable local development across the continent.

For the past 19 years, the FFEM has been working alongside local actors: with a total co-financing of €17 million, it has supported 214 African CSOs in implementing 305 biodiversity protection projects across 28 African countries.