The European Union (EU) through the Green Growth project has announced a €5 million grant to support conservation and sustainable development initiatives in the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA TFCA).
The recently started 4-year EUR 5 million project, ‘Green Growth for KAZA is expected to improve conservation and biodiversity protection in five member states of the KAZA TFCA being Angola, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
The EUR 5 million project is expected to leverage KAZA’s natural capital and cultural heritage for inclusive socio-economic development, and it has components that support law enforcement efforts in addressing illegal wildlife trade.
Delegation of the European Union to Namibia, has recently issues a statement noting that the project aims to strengthen conservation, promote sustainable economic development, and improve governance across the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area.
The union stated that the project aligns with the EU NaturAfrica programme’s objectives, focusing on biodiversity conservation, green economy initiatives, and inclusive governance. By leveraging the region’s natural capital and cultural heritage, the project fosters long-term socio-economic benefits while ensuring ecological resilience.
“The project will strengthen conservation management by developing a holistic KAZA Conservation Strategy and Action Plan, enhancing transboundary cooperation and implementing improved land use planning. The project further entails creating and scaling Bankable Nature Solutions (BNS) such as sustainable agriculture, ecotourism, renewable energy, and biodiversity-friendly enterprises,” reads the statement.
Delegation of the European Union to Namibia, has further indicated that governance and sustainable financing will be enhanced through support to the KAZA Secretariat in policy implementation, governance mechanisms, and mobilizing sustainable financing through innovative investment models.
According to the statement, expected outcomes of the project include improved conservation and biodiversity protection, stronger institutional capacity and enhanced sustainable economic development and green finance.
