Civil society at the heart of conservation: MUBADART at the IUCN World Conservation Congress
Every four years, the IUCN World Conservation Congress brings together thousands of organizations, scientists, decision-makers, and communities to define the broad outlines of conservation at the international level. It is a unique moment when local voices meet global strategies, when experience in the field informs global policy.
For Mubadarat, the IUCN Med initiative dedicated to supporting civil society in North Africa, this year’s edition represented much more than an institutional meeting: it was a moment of recognition, sharing, and dialogue. After more than ten years of supporting local actors, Mubadarat’s presence aimed to demonstrate how community organizations can influence the global agenda and how partnerships based on trust can transform conservation.
Ambassadors from the field at the heart of the Congress
Seven associations from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Egypt were supported to participate in the Congress, alongside the 38 North African members of the IUCN. As true ambassadors of Mubadarat, these organizations shared authentic testimonials at several high-level events, giving a strong and legitimate voice to frontline actors.
Through five sessions devoted to small grants and local action, Mubadarat contributed to a collective reflection on how the various IUCN funding mechanisms — including PPI OSCAN and TransCap can work together to build a more inclusive and effective support system for conservationists around the world.
Powerful testimonials: when a small amount of funding changes everything
At the IUCN Program Pavilion, Hayfa Chamkhi, founder of North African Wild Traces in Tunisia, shared the importance of initial funding received through the PPI OSCAN:
“Our journey began with a small amount of funding. It was more than financial support; it shaped our association. We learned to include local communities and collaborate with other organizations. It gave us confidence and a long-term vision.”
During the high-level dialogue “Investing in Local Leadership for Sustainable Impact,” Ghada Ahmadein (RAED, Egypt) and Edouard Jean (Les Amis du Capte, Tunisia) emphasized how training and mentoring have enabled their organizations to become leaders in their fields. Ghada recalled:
“Lack of capacity is one of the main obstacles to accessing funding. programs like PPI OSCAN, which focus on capacity building, make a real difference.”
At the end of the session, Emad Adly, chair of the IUCN North Africa Committee, emphasized the value of investing in local actors:
“Investing in capacity means finding simpler, less costly, and more effective solutions. Inviting small organizations and communities to events like this is already an investment: it gives visibility to their work and strengthens our collective impact. “
“Echoes of the Earth”: an exhibition celebrating local action
Beyond the sessions, Mubadarat presented the photo and video exhibition “Echoes of the Earth” highlighting 20 stories of resilience, innovation, and hope carried out by North African civil society organizations. Each image illustrates the commitment of women and young people who are transforming their environment, one step at a time.
A shared belief: sustainable conservation starts locally
Through its participation in the Congress, Mubadarat reaffirms a strong conviction: sustainable conservation cannot exist without equipped, recognized, and committed local actors. By connecting realities on the ground with global discussions, the initiative continues to demonstrate that real impact comes from collaboration—between regions, sectors, generations, and visions.
Mubadarat will continue its commitment to amplify local voices, build capacity, and foster an environment conducive to equitable, inclusive, and sustainable conservation.
🔗 Find out more
To find out more about the Congress:
➡️ https://iucncongress2025.org
To follow Mubadarat news and stay informed:
➡️ https://linktr.ee/mubadaratbyiucn?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=dbacb84d-ad91-40b7-a49c-613dd2939de0
