Category: grants

The CBA has awarded a grant to support the administration of the African NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES) in 2026.

Established and coordinated by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) in collaboration with the CBA, the network unites the conservation efforts of 39 African NGOs. It aims to help them protect the environment and promote sustainable development, via a programme of capacity building, community engagement and knowledge exchange. In 2025 this included training of trainers to empower local NGOs and community actors, as well as regional and cross-border exchanges to foster experiential and peer learning. Topics covered included landscape restoration, community engagement, agroforestry, biodiversity, and sustainable land management approaches.

The CBA has supported the network since its establishment in 2023 – find out more about some of the activities which have taken place.

Photo: Africa Community-to-Community (C2C) Exchange 2025, ANAES

The African NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES), established and coordinated by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS), is an initiative of ARCOS in collaboration with the CBA, which unites 39 African Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs) in their mission to protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

In 2025, the CBA supported the coordination of the network with a grant. This has enabled ANAES to carry out its programme of capacity building, community engagement and knowledge exchange.

One of the core achievements of ANAES in 2025 has been strengthening the capacity of its member NGOs across African countries. This has included Training of Trainers to empower local NGOs and community actors in landscape restoration, community engagement, agroforestry, biodiversity, and sustainable land management approaches.

Regional and cross-border exchanges facilitated experiential learning, including a joint field monitoring exchange in Rwanda with eight NGOs, which fostered peer learning, enhanced monitoring skills, and integrated landscape restoration approaches.

Guest of Honor from the Ministry of Environment, Rwanda; ARCOS CEO, ANAES Coordination Committee members and participants visiting stands, 2025. Photo credits: ARCOS

The CBA has awarded a grant to support two Indigenous students at the Living School of the Amazon, founded by the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance.

EVA (Escuela Viva de la Amazonía) is an initiative designed to train and support future generations of Indigenous leaders in the Ecuadorian Amazon, providing academic knowledge alongside ancestral wisdom.

The CBA contribution will enable one student from Ecuador and one from Peru to complete their studies, by funding tuition, accommodation and travel support. The students will implement hands-on workshops in their home communities, and take on an internship with their Indigenous organisations focused on ecological stewardship and Indigenous governance.

CBA Affiliate Member the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance represents one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. It was selected as a finalist for the 2024 Earthshot Prize, in recognition of its work protecting 35 million hectares (86 million acres) of Amazon rainforest, home to over 30 Indigenous nationalities in Ecuador and Peru.

The core mission of the EVA is to prepare Indigenous youth to lead transformative change from within their territories. “It is inspiring to see EVA alumni stepping into leadership roles, many are now spearheading local conservation efforts, advising their territorial governments and strengthening community governance as elected leaders”, said the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance team.

Photo of Amazon from https://youtu.be/3qiP-HcpilI

The CBA is pleased to announce that it is supporting six students at the Living School of the Amazon (EVA), founded by the Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance.

EVA (Escuela Viva de la Amazonía) is an initiative designed to train and support future generations of Indigenous leaders in the Ecuadorian Amazon, providing academic knowledge alongside ancestral wisdom.

The CBA contribution will cover the costs for six students to complete the rest of the 2024 academic year. The funds will ensure the students can complete their leadership training and an internship at their Indigenous organization in ecological stewardship and Indigenous governance.

L-R: Irma Leonor Ungucha, Shuar; Romel Levi Tanguila, Kichwa; Elizabeth Espanai Nenquimo, Waorani; Emmanuel Aujtak Mukuink, Achuar; Lizeth Margarita Serrano, Kichwa; Ruben Nampa Boyotai, Waorani.

The Amazon Sacred Headwaters Alliance represents one of the world’s largest Indigenous-led conservation initiatives. It has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Earthshot Prize, in recognition of its work protecting 35 million hectares (86 million acres) of Amazon rainforest, home to over 30 Indigenous nationalities in Ecuador and Peru.

Photo of Amazon river from https://youtu.be/3qiP-HcpilI

King Charles III welcomes ANAES initiative by ARCOS and CBA during state visit to Kenya

Nairobi, November 1, 2023 – His Majesty King Charles III, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Camilla, embarked on a state visit to Kenya. As part of his visit, His Majesty attended an event celebrating the enduring legacy of the Nobel Laureate, the late Professor Wangari Maathai.

His Majesty, who also established the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance in 2020, was introduced to the newly launched African NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES), an initiative by the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS), Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) and committed NGOs in Africa. His Majesty embraced and commended this initiative as a vital solution to address environmental challenges on the continent.

ANAES, a collaborative endeavour between ARCOS and CBA, represents a unifying force that brings together 32 prominent conservation and development NGOs from 18 African countries to work together to restore biodiversity and put nature back to our economy and community livelihoods.

His Majesty visited one of ARCOS’ sites in Rwanda in 2022 during the Commonwealth meeting in Kigali. During this visit, he had the opportunity to witness collective landscape restoration efforts aimed at enhancing climate change resilience in the region.

About ANAES:

ANAES’ Objectives: The primary goal of this NGO Alliance is to unite the conservation efforts of African NGOs, fostering leadership, sharing experiences, and promoting active engagement in environmental sustainability practices across the continent. ANAES aims to empower over 3 million farmers in Africa, roughly 10% of the current total, in landscape restoration, smart agriculture, and sustainable livelihoods by 2030 through a proficient network of NGOs and CBOs.

About ARCOS:

The Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS) is a distinguished regional champion in restoration, headquartered in Rwanda. ARCOS is a member of the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) and has received multiple accolades, including the 2012 MacArthur Award for Creative and Effective Institutions and the 2023 One Tree Planted Award for Outstanding and Long-Standing Landscape Restoration in Africa.

About CBA:

The Circular Bioeconomy Alliance (CBA) initiative was founded by His Majesty, as Prince of Wales. Established today as a charity in the UK, the CBA provides funding, expertise, and know-how to facilitate projects designed to accelerate the transition to a circular bioeconomy that is climate-neutral and prospers in harmony with nature.

On 20 October in Kigali, Rwanda, the Circular Bioeconomy Alliance and the Albertine Rift Conservation Society (ARCOS Network) initiated the African NGOs Alliance for Environmental Sustainability (ANAES).

Africa faces numerous environmental challenges, including ecosystem degradation and biodiversity loss, wildlife poaching, poverty and pollution, all accelerated by climate change. These challenges are complex and require collective efforts to address effectively. ANAES aims to bring leading conservation NGOs in Africa together to achieve meaningful and lasting environmental change, safeguarding Africa’s natural heritage and promoting sustainable development.

By sharing information and expertise, they can collectively address emerging threats and develop innovative solutions towards a sustainable future. Different NGOs often possess unique areas of expertise and focus. By collaborating, they can leverage each other’s strengths and complement their skills to create comprehensive and integrated conservation programs that address multiple facets of environmental protection and sustainable development, instead of working in isolation.

Read more: https://arcosnetwork.org/?p=13182

Download the ANAES flyer: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1PFukCTyKQFmAi4Jtnd82Qvsylp8lZhoA/view

Photo: ARCOS Network