- Motto
- Vision
- Mission
- Aims and Objectives
- What Difference Does it Make?
- Phased Development Process (Phase 1 & 2)
Project Funding and Management of Grants
- Funding Criteria
- Collaborative Arrangements
- Standard Call for Project Proposals
- Current Priority Field Target Sites
- Values and Threats of Selected Field Sites
- Recently Submitted Proposals
- Brief Status of Funded Projects
Implementation and Performance Reports
- Cumulative Achievements Under the World Bank/TFCMP Support, 2001 – 2009
- Annual Progress Report, 2009 - 2010
- Annual Progress Report, 2010 - 2011
- Annual Progress Report, 2011 - 2012
- Annual Progress Report, 2012 - 2013
- Audited Financial Statements for FYs 2009/2010 - 2012/2013
Policy and Management Guidance
- Statement of Investment Policy, Objectives and Guidelines
- Guidelines for Preparation of Project Proposals and Procedures for Making Grants
- Guidelines for Local Advisory Committees
- Baseline Survey Report for 8 Nature Reserves and 1 National Park in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania
- Baseline Survey Report for 8 Nature Reserves and 1 National Park in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania-Executive Summary
- Impacts and Results of EAMCEF Funded Projects _June 2011 to November 2013
- Forest Reserves, Amphibians and Birds of the Eastern Arc Mountains
The Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund?
What is it?
The Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF) is a Trust Fund that was established and functions as a long-term and reliable funding mechanism to support Community Development, Biodiversity Conservation and Applied Research Projects, which promote the biological diversity, ecological functions and sustainable use of natural resources in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania.
EAMCEF was officially registered in Tanzania on 6th June 2001, under the Trustees’ Incorporation Act (Cap. 318, R. E. 2002) of the Laws of Tanzania. It was originally conceived as a joint initiative of the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania, the Board of Trustees (BOT), the World Bank (WB) and the Global
Environment Facility (GEF).
The Trust Fund operates as a Not-for-Profit Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). Initially, EAMCEF operated as a component of the WB financed project (TFCMP) under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Tourism (MNRT) whereby a total of US$ 2.4 Mil. credit facility was used to finance activities and operations of its 7 years first phase (2002-2009), the establishment phase.
Funding of the second phase (the permanent phase) was initially planned to come mainly from incomes generated from the investment of the endowment capital secured from the GEF commitment of US$ 7.0 mil. as well as additional resources acquired from other sources through fundraising activities.
Governed by a Board of Trustee EAMCEF operates as a Trust Fund Organization and managed by an Endowment Fund Secretariat based in its own office complex in Morogoro and headed by an Executive Director.
'Conserving Biodiversity for Sustainable Development'.
EAMCEF's Vision is that Eastern Arc Mountains and the people who depend on them live in harmony as one sustainable ecosystem. The forests and mountains will provide goods and services - from water to electrical power, from food and cash crops to medicines- for the people of Tanzania. And the world community will benefit from a protected biodiversity hotspot and a major carbon sink reducing global warming.
Catalyse resources to foster conservation of forest biodiversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania through investment in sustainable community development and livelihood improvement, sustained financing for protected areas management and financial support to applied biodiversity and climate change research.
- To promote the protection of biological diversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains, targeting priority areas of significant diversity.
- To promote the mitigation and adaptation to impacts of climate change in the Eastern Arc Mountains.
- To promote the involvement of the local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources and bio-diversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains and to assist them in benefiting from such conservation and sustainable management.
- To ensure benefits, whether financial, technical or material arising from the Trust’s activities, pass to local communities in its areas of operation.
- To provide long-term reliable support for projects and research which promote the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources in the Eastern Arc Mountains and contribute to the promotion of the economic and social welfare of the communities in the area.
- To promote the collection and dissemination of information and advice concerning the Eastern Arc Mountains and their global conservation value.
- To engage in fund-raising activities to obtain resources that shall finance the objectives of the Trust.
- To enter into covenants or agreements, including but not limited to; joint management agreements, leases; and licenses with other identified stakeholders, including: local communities, central and local governments, the business community, private sector and individuals, over any land and immovable property as may have been acquired by the Trust, PROVIDED ALWAYS that such agreements shall be in the long-term interests of the Trust.
- To provide liaison between government agencies, civil society and the private sector in conservation and environment matters.
- As an insubstantial part of the activities of the Trust and only to the extent permitted by a public charity organization, to advocate for policies, regulations and laws that are designed to promote sustainable development and conservation.
- To co-operate with any person or organization with objectives similar to those of the Trust.
Major Mountain blocks of the Eastern Arc spread over fifteen districts in five regions of Tanzania namely, Tanga (East and West Usambara, and Nguu Mountains), Kilimanjaro (North and South Pare Mountains), Morogoro (Nguru, Uluguru, Ukaguru, Udzungwa, Malundwe, Mahenge and Rubeho Mountains), Dodoma (Rubeho Mountains) and Iringa (Udzungwa Mountains).
The Eastern Arc Mountains in Tanzania cover a total area of approximately 5,350 km2.
When combined with the Southern Rift, the Albertine Rift and the Ethiopian Highlands, the Eastern Arc Mountains form the Eastern Afromontane Ecoregion which is recognized globally as one of the 34 biodiversity hotspots on earth, characterized by high concentrations of endemic species.
The area is currently under great threat due to a number of human influences. The biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains is locally of great value for mitigating the impacts of rural poverty. About 40% of total household consumption in some forest adjacent communities is accounted for by forest and woodland products such as firewood, construction material, medicinal herbs, wild fruits and other food materials.
Nationally, the Eastern Arc Mountain forests cover several major catchment areas which collectively provide water for most of the nations’ coastal communities, including Dar-es-Salaam with its population of over 4 Million people and most of the major industries in the country.
Hydro-electric energy production in Tanzania is heavily dependent on maintaining the integrity of these forests. About 60% of Tanzania's electricity is generated from water sources derived from the Eastern Arc Mountain forests, e.g. Kidatu, Mtera, Hale, Nyumba ya Mungu and Kihansi hydropower stations.
The main intention of establishing the Trust Fund is to address the need for a long-term sustainable approach to funding the conservation of forest biodiversity in the important ecosystem. Unlike the time limited projects, EAMCEF was established and will continue to operate as a long-term institution.
Inadequate and poorly targeted public and donor resources for forest biodiversity in the Eastern Arc has meant that there has been a limited view of long-term resource requirements and financing needs.
Tentatively and in order of priority, the Endowment Fund will initially concentrate in the following mountain blocks:
- East Usambara Mountains
- Udzungwa Mountains
- Uluguru Mountains
- Nguru Mountains
- West Usambara Mountains
- South Pare Mountains
- Other mountain blocks at a later stage
EAMCEF funding will be on three priority thematic areas namely:

Eastern Arc Mountains is the
source of water supply for
production of Electricity,
Industrial, Agriculture and
Domestic uses
- Community Based Conservation and Development activities for improvement of rural livelihoods of forest adjacent communities.
- Applied biodiversity research relevant to the conservation of biodiversity in the priority Eastern Arc Mountains.
- Protected Areas and Climate Change Management to improve the ecological functions of the ecosystem and strengthen the management capabilities of the responsible institutions.
The over-riding principle governing selection of any project for funding by the Endowment Fund is that, the project activity must result in some demonstrable (direct or indirect) benefit to conservation of biodiversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains, especially in the designated target areas.
A secondary principle, which should influence project funding is that, such funding should be complementary to other conservation and/or development activities in the area. That is, Endowment Fund monies are not intended to substitute for funds which are already available.
In all its endeavours, EAMCEF is committed to work with and through partners under some mutually agreed collaborative arrangements.
- To increase synergy and maximize conservation impact.
- Avoid overlap, competition, duplication and capitalize on the overall effect of complementarity and additionality.
- Avail efficient use of resources available in the Eastern Arc.
- Make the best use of available time and present expertise.
- Impact on sense of ownership, responsibility and accountability to key stakeholders so as to increase the chances for sustainability of programme activities.
In theory, EAMCEF collaborates with all Stakeholders impacting positively/negatively on the Eastern Arc Mountains ecosystem. The envisioned collaboration agreements with the EAMCEF partners are through the following major arrangements:-
- Direct funding to some primary beneficiaries.
- Co-financing/partnering with other operators.
- Resource leveraging from key partners/beneficiaries.
- Networking and information sharing with key collaborators.
- Sharing of equipment and other operating resources with partners working in the Eastern Arc Mountains.
- Receiving financial, material and technical support from entities interested in the conservation of the Eastern Arc Mountains.

EAMCEF supports community
groups to grow seedlings for
woodlots, forest boundary
marking and re-planting in
deforested areas.
Cumulative Achievements Under the World Bank/TFCMP Support, 2001 –2009.
Annual Progress Report, 2009-2010.
Annual Progress Report, 2010-2011.
Annual Progress Report, 2011-2012.

EAMCEF sensitizes school
pupils for environment
conservation education through
tree planting competitions
Impacts and Results of EAMCEF Funded Projects _June 2011 to May 2015.
Forest Reserves, Amphibians and Birds of the Eastern Arc Mountains.
Review of the official Launching Ceremonywith pictures [pdf]
Transcript of the speeches made at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Photos taken at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Introduction made by Prof Said Iddi at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Speech made by Guest of Honour at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Speech made by Regional Commissioner at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Speech made by World Bank Country Director at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Vote of thanks made at the Official Launching Ceremony [pdf]
Photo Left: Signing Ceremony of the Norwegian Government Support to EAMCEF
Photo Right: Her Excellence Ms Ingunn Klepsvik, the Ambassador of Norway and Mr. Francis Sabuni, the Executive Director of EAMCEF signs the Contract for a five year Norwegian grant on 20th May, 2011 at the Embassy grounds in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.


Photo Left & Right: Field visits to the EAMCEF Target sites by the Ambassador of Norway in Tanzania.

EAMCEF/RNE First Formal Meeting held at Morogoro Hotel, Morogoro in March, 2012.

Members of the 1st General Assembly of the African Environmental Funds Network that was held in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania from 29th to 30th September 2011,and hosted by EAMCEF