Strengthening civil society to protect biodiversity in Central and West Africa (PPI7)

Created in 2006 by the FFEM, the PPI supports biodiversity conservation, more sustainable management of natural resources and the fight against climate change by financing and supporting projects led by African civil society organizations. Originally conceived as a simple financing mechanism, it gradually incorporated a strong capacity-building component. Its long-term support model for CSOs, recognized for its innovation and added value, has been validated by successive evaluations, its longevity and its adaptability. In 20 years, the PPI has supported 327 projects in Africa in 33 countries. 

The Small Initiatives Program (PPI) works to improve the state of biodiversity in Africa by supporting concrete actions of civil society organizations. It operates through five axes:

• Support for inclusive conservation projects through calls for proposals and support to several CSO networks.
• Strengthening of technical and organizational capacities for more autonomy and efficiency.
• Promotion of exchanges and partnerships between CSOs and with strategic, technical and financial actors.
• Valorization of actions carried out to increase the visibility, recognition and impact of CSOs.
• Structuring an ecosystem of committed actors to create a sustainable collective dynamic in favor of biodiversity.

For this 7th phase, the PPI intends to support more than 80 projects led by African civil society. These projects will be selected through 5 calls for proposals. A particular emphasis will be placed on the organisational development of these structures (with increased resources devoted to this aspect) as well as in networking, notably through the implementation of mentoring programmes between CSOs. 

Through its actions, the PPI aims to produce four major changes:

• Strengthen the impact of conservation projects, carried out in a participatory manner by African civil society organizations.
• Increase opportunities and capacities of CSOs engaged in biodiversity conservation.
• Strengthen the links between actors, by facilitating exchanges between CSOs and with sector partners.
• Improve the visibility, credibility and influence of CSOs at local, national and international levels.

The Small Initiatives Program (PPI) is distinguished by an innovative and deeply human approach. It supports African civil society organizations in a personalized, gradual and long-term manner, taking into account the realities on the ground. The strength of the PPI is to support initiatives led by organizations from the populations of the territories concerned by the projects, ensuring both sustainability and legitimacy of the supported solutions. Over the years, the PPI has been able to create a real community of engaged actors – CSOs, technical partners and donors – promoting exchange and collaboration. Its support goes far beyond funding: it focuses on creative and tailor-made capacity building to sustainably structure organizations and strengthen their impact in favor of biodiversity.