How Namibia turned a grant of 200.000 into over 2 million Swiss francs
Driving inclusive natural resource management
WWF Namibia has been advocating for a landscape approach that links civil society leaders together more strongly with government actors and the private sector. As authorities sometimes struggle to identify relevant political measures when it comes to different sectors, such as agriculture, food security, rural development, education and health, WWF aims to tie these all together.
How ODIG funding helped WWF Namibia built strong civil society partnerships
Between November 2022 and June 2024, WWF Namibia received a 216.000 Swiss Francs grant from WWF Switzerland to further strengthen the resilience of the organisation, and its partner organisations. Over years of strategic investment, the team generated 2.1 million Swiss Francs in return, that’s an impressive ROI of 10!
The funds generated directly benefit field work for conservation and development impact. They also support the work with partners on capacity development and financial sustainability, in turn leading to a stronger civil society for natural resource management.
Key initiatives that ODIG funding enabled WWF Namibia to make happen:
Diversify its funding resources
WWF Namibia established a dedicated Communications & Fundraising Director position to drive the dialogue with partners on joint resource mobilization and to explore corporate and innovative fundraising solutions. This led to the diversification of funding sources, the stabilisation of an income pipeline and ultimately to a stronger WWF office, better able to support its local partners. Sixty percent of the funding that WWF Namibia receives goes to its partners.
Establish new civil society networks
WWF Namibia commissioned a study on sustainable financing, which suggested a working group on fundraising with civil society partners. The group with members of four organisations forms a promising starting point to develop local financial resource streams, enhance partners financial independence, sustainability, and local ownership.
Build a centre for mutual capacity strengthening and income generation
WWF Namibia also supported local partners on their organisational development journey. A newly established co-working space, the Community Conservation Inspiration (CCI) Hub, hosts a centre and upskilling facility for certified training to communal conservancy members, NGOs, government partners and any professional in the area of interest. The move to the Hub is a milestone for community conservation in Namibia, with NGO partners now owners of the property. WWF’s rent is now paid to conservation partners, helping to ensure their future and strengthening the partnerships, while sharing an inspiring space to grow, learn and share with one another.
Build private sector engagement with civil society partners
WWF Namibia was able to leverage funding support from a Nambian-based foundation for solar power compatible aircons and heaters at the CCI Hub. The CCI Hub also serves as a new impetus for visibility and relationship building: several important business leaders attended the launch, including CEOs of two major banks and of three philanthropic organizations - potential partners to raise programmatic funding for implementation by, and benefit of, civil society partners.
Identify new approaches to solving development challenges
WWF Namibia invested in product and marketing development for Wildlife Credits, a concept for payment for eco-system services developed for and with local communities. Several products have been piloted at a local level, also together with a corporate partner (Amarula). The goal is to launch this product at the international market, thus expanding the outreach and impact of Wildlife Credits for the benefit of rural communities. WWF Namibia also established a new Conservation Finance unit. Through a strategic partnership with the Sustainable Finance Coalition they are working on green finance solutions in Namibia, aiming to unlock sustainable financing for people and nature from domestic sources and instruments.
“With ODIG funding focusing on organizational development, it's a bit a different than the usual support we're getting for conservation. It's funding that we can use to fund our own institution and our partners, which had a massive impact.”
