CAFI has earmarked US$20 million for national NGOs in Central Africa, signalling a major shift toward locally led forest protection, climate action and sustainable development. The move places national organisations at the centre of efforts to deliver Payments for Environmental Services (PES) at scale.
The decision marks an important evolution in CAFI’s implementation model, recognising national organisations as essential partners in designing, delivering and sustaining Fund-supported interventions across the region.
The investment reflects four clear priorities:
- strengthen national ownership of environmental action;
- accelerate the growth and professionalism of national NGOs;
- anchor long-term environmental transformation in local institutions; and
- support the large-scale rollout of Payments for Environmental Services across Central Africa.
To deliver this ambition, CAFI has set out a gradual and secure approach built around three strategic pillars.
First, CAFI will identify the most promising national NGOs through a rigorous technical assessment of submitted expressions of interest. Five organisations will then be selected to receive targeted support in developing proposals that meet the Fund’s standards.
Second, CAFI will invest USD 1 million in technical assistance to strengthen shortlisted NGOs’ fiduciary, administrative, programmatic and safeguard capacities. The support will also deepen their mastery of the full PES cycle, from contracting to payment, using tools developed by CAFI.
Third, CAFI will support the gradual scaling of national NGOs by tracking performance through its digital PES tool, enabling a structured transition toward their future role as fully empowered implementing organisations.
The decision also strengthens the foundations of CAFI’s future 2026–2035 strategy, which places local ownership, environmental effectiveness and long-term sustainability at the heart of its vision.
A first in CAFI’s history, this breakthrough underscores the Fund’s commitment to more inclusive and durable environmental governance one that is rooted in national realities and driven by local leadership.
CAFI Secretariat