As an organisation, we are very grateful to a number of individuals and organisations that have trusted us to spend their money judiciously with a continual emphasis on the return on investment: not just measured in financial terms but also in terms of its impact on conservation and the socio-economic upliftment of rural communities. There are also a number of companies and individuals that have given their expertise and time to whom we are very grateful. Without these contributions, the excellent work of the organisation would not be possible.

Special mention is made of three individuals who were instrumental in funding the organisation during its early years:

Paul Fentener van Vlissingen

Paul Fentener van Vlissingen was one of the five founders of The African Parks Network and in the year 2000 provided the initial seed capital of US$50,000 to assist African Parks to get on its feet. Believing in both the purpose and the model, Paul increased his commitment to US$5 million and eventually, by the time of his death in August 2006, his total commitment exceeded US$25 million, the single largest contribution to the The African Parks Network.

His personal commitment to African Parks, his energy and his unrelenting focus on results have determined the work ethic of African Parks of today. Thanks to Paul and his daughters, Alicia and Tannetta, The African Parks Network is prepared for the future.

HRH Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands

Prince Bernhard was one of the most dedicated conservationists in modern times, playing an instrumental role in the establishment of organisations including the World Wide Fund for Nature and the Peace Parks Foundation. Prince Bernhard was immediately impressed with the model and approach of The African Parks Network, describing it as "the most exciting conservation initiative in the world". In 2003, he contributed US$1 million to assist with the restocking of Majete Wildlife Reserve in Malawi.

Rob Walton and the Walton Family Foundation

Rob Walton has been a supporter of The African Parks Network from the outset, matching Paul's initial contribution of US$5 million which was used to establish the first three projects, in Zambia, Malawi and Ethiopia, and to assist with the overhead costs.

Current Financial Partners

Although all contributions, both big and small, financial and in-kind, have contributed to our current success for which we are extremely grateful, only the main current partners are listed below.

PARTNERS IN AFRICAN PARKS' CORE OPERATIONS 

Mo Ibrahim and the Mo Ibrahim Family Trust – the Trust has contributed a total of US$ 750,000 over three years to our core activities in Dungonab Bay and Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Parks in Sudan.

Stichting DOEN Foundation – Stichting DOEN is a foundation incorporated in the Netherlands which strives to make the world a liveable place. To this end, it provides funding to organisations and projects in the fields of sustainable development, welfare and culture. DOEN achieves its objectives through the revenue it receives from the Dutch National Postcode Lottery, the Sponsor Lottery and the BankGiro Lottery and is contributing a total of €1.5 million over three years to our activities in Liuwa Plain, Nech Sar and Majete.

In 2007, WWF Netherlands has entered into a formal partnership with African Parks Network. Both organizations feel that this partnership can greatly benefit the sustainable management and financing of protected areas in Africa. Apart from financial support, this partnership will look at technical collaboration on the ground as well.
In a first phase in 2008, an amount of € 600,000 was provided for the rehabilitation of Majete Wildlife Reserve and Liuwa Plains National Park. In a second phase, starting early 2009, WWF Netherlands will contribute € 3 million to three new projects over the next three years of which two have been identified. These are Bangweulu Wetlands and West Lunga National Park, both in Zambia.

Funding of US$ 600,000 over three years is being provided through USAID’s Global Development Alliance to enhance and promote biodiversity and community collaboration in the conservation of Majete Wildlife Reserve and to increase community benefits. Just over half of the total contribution has been used for the successful elephant translocation programme undertaken in 2006.

Dutch Directorate General for International Cooperation (DGIS) – we are participating in a €1 million public private partnership with DGIS to improve the management of Liuwa Plain National Park thereby enhancing its long-term biodiversity conservation and enabling it to contribute to real economic development and poverty alleviation in the region. A budget neutral extension to the partnership has been secured for 2007.

European Union – funding worth a total of €3.1 million has been secured from the European Union Delegation in Kinshasa for activities in Garamba. The funding comes from the European Development Fund and is part of a three-year, €5 million Eastern DRC programme in partnership with the Africa Conservation Fund.
 

The Government of Spain, through the Spanish Aid Agency and the Ministry of Environment, is providing in the period 2008-2009 a total of
€ 700,000 towards Garamba National Park.

The funds are to be used mainly for building visitor accommodation and ranger posts, and for the procurement of vital equipment such as two vehicles and a motor grader.




The Turing Foundation has donated € 1 million in the next five years, earmarked only for the two Marine Parks in Sudan. The Turing Foundation was established in 2006 by Pieter Geelen using the wealth he acquired as co-founder of TomTom NV (the satellite navigation system), a company listed on the Dutch Stock Exchange. Through this donation, African Parks will be able to fund infrastructure investments which are very critical to the protection of coral reef ecosystems, dugongs, hammer sharks, manta rays, turtles and other unique fish and bird species.

We have secured a US$ 250,000 grant from the Italian Government through UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre for an emergency action plan to stop poaching in the southern sector of Garamba National Park and to save the Northern white rhinoceros from extinction.

African Parks (Ethiopia) has entered into a public private partnership with GTZ to ensure the economical and ecological sustainability of the Omo National Park by restoring, managing and maintaining the natural resources through the active participation of local communities, the government and park administration. As part of the partnership, GTZ is providing €200,000 to carry out a baseline study of Omo’s natural resources and utilisations, and the causes, nature, prevalence and actors of conflicts in and around Omo National Park. Around Nech Sar National Park, GTZ assisted setting up four local enterprises to produce and supply energy efficient stoves, providing capacity building, technical training and financial support.

The Liberty Wildlife Foundation – based in The Netherlands has committed €600,000 to the construction of Majete Wildlife Reserve’s perimeter fence in 2007. The fence will increase Majete’s effective conservation area from 14,000 hectares to 70,000 hectares and allow a second re-introduction of 130 elephant in 2008. It is a critical investment to ensure that communities are not affected by the re-introduction of dangerous game into the park.

De Koornzaayer Foundation – early in 2006, The Koornzaayer Foundation demonstrated considerable support for African Parks Zambia’s work in Liuwa Plain over the next five years. Half of each annual donation will cover Liuwa’s core business costs and the other half covers a variety of special projects, which this year included sponsorship of the Environmental Education Programme, 
                                                     sinking three wells at the community campsites and constructing the vehicle and boat shed.

The Adessium Foundation - based in The Netherlands has signed a three year (January 28th, 2008) agreement with African Parks to a total value of USD 1,859,721. This contract will fund the activities defined in the completed Business Plan of Liuwa Plain National Park. Support of this nature is critical for both day to day operations to keep scouts in the field protecting wildlife and the "bigger picture" of generating sustainable income streams that will ensure the future prosperity of 
                                                     Liuwa Plain National Park.

In 2006, African Parks entered into a partnership with Heras Hekwerk, one of Europe’s leading fencing companies, and Heras representatives visited Nech Sar National Park. In 2007, Heras will supply expertise, technical assistance and materials to both Majete’s perimeter fence project and Nech Sar’s fencing project.

In May 2009 African Parks concluded a three year agreement with Steltman Jeweler, one of Holland's prominent jeweler, based in The Hague. Inspired by the beautiful nature of Africa, Steltman designed a new line: "Safari by Steltman". In September 2009 African Parks has received € 10,000, being a percentage of the turnover of this line.

Volker Wessels – a Dutch construction company, Volker Wessels is supporting access improvements in Omo National Park. In 2007, they will provide technical assistance and expertise in upgrading Omo’s airstrip and roads and design a new pontoon.

Hotel Contact donated € 15,000 to African Parks. Hotel Contact/Worldmeetings takes care of foreign hotel and meeting reservations, contract negotiations and invoicing for a number of large European clients including ABN AMRO, ING, Fortis, Pink Roccade and Randstad in the Netherlands.

Hedwig Carolina Stichting – for their generous donation to African Parks’ activities. This foundation supports and protects Dutch nature and landscapes and also makes donations to other institutions for the protection of nature in and outside The Netherlands.

Faber Halberts Groep, an European pallet pooling and pallet production company, provides funding of 
€ 110,000 for the translocation of 7 Black Rhinos from South Africa to Malawi (Majete Wildlife Reserve)

PARTNERS IN COMMUNITY BASED PROJECTS THAT COMPLEMENT AFRICAN PARKS' CORE OPERATIONS

In August 2006, African Parks Zambia entered into a partnership with PROFIT (Production-Finance-Technology) which aims to enhance incomes and livelihoods through the establishment of economic entities. USAID is contributing US$ 400,000 over four years.

Interchurch Organisation for Development Cooperation (ICCO) – African Parks (Majete) is working in partnership with ICCO and the Evangelical Lutheran Development Service (ELDS) on a three year, €900,000 programme to promote sustainable alternative livelihoods for communities surrounding Majete Wildlife Reserve. ICCO has also contributed to a number of African Parks’ community projects in Ethiopia.