About EAMCEF

About Us

The Eastern Arc Mountains Conservation Endowment Fund (EAMCEF)

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 EAMCEF 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.

Our Vision

Our Vision is to see that, the 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 and mitigating climate change impacts.

Our Mission

We 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.

Aims and Objectives

To engage in fund-raising activities to obtain resources that shall finance the objectives of the Trust.
To promote the mitigation and adaptation to impacts of climate change in the Eastern Arc Mountains.
To co-operate with any person or organization with objectives similar to those of the Trust.
To promote the protection of biological diversity in the Eastern Arc Mountains, targeting priority areas of significant diversity.
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 liaison between government agencies, civil society and the private sector in conservation and environment matters.
To promote the collection and dissemination of information and advice concerning the Eastern Arc Mountains and their global conservation value.
To promote the involvement of the local communities in the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources and biodiversity of the Eastern Arc Mountains and to assist them in benefiting from such preservation and sustainable management.
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 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 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, the 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.

Where we work

EAMCEF operates in the ancient Eastern Arc Mountains of Tanzania, a chain of rainforests and grasslands that have existed for over 30 million years. These mountains, spanning across 15 districts, are globally recognized for their unique biodiversity.

Mountain Blocks	Target Districts
North/South Pare	Mwanga and Same
West/East Usambara	Lushoto, Korogwe, Muheza, Mkinga
Nguu	Kilindi
Nguru	Mvomero
Uluguru	Morogoro and Mvomero
Ukaguru	Kilosa
Rubeho	Mpwapwa and Kilosa
Malundwe	Morogoro
Udzungwa	Kilombero, Kilolo and Mufindi
Mahenge	Ulanga