Bacomab Trust Fund

Quick Stats

• Endowment Capital: €41.8 million (as of December 31, 2022)
• Annual Giving: Approximately €30,000-50,000 (Small Grants Window)
• Grant Range: €2,500 - €10,000 (Small Grants)
• Decision Time: 4-5 months (June application to October decision)
• Geographic Focus: Mauritania (Marine and Coastal Protected Areas)
• Application Cycle: Annual (opens June, deadline October)

Contact Details

Website: http://www.bacomab.org

Email: contact@bacomab.org

Address: 8 King Edward Street, Oxford, OX1 4HL, United Kingdom

Charity Number: 1136156

Company Number: 06800423

Overview

BACoMaB Trust Fund was established in 2009 as a sustainable financing mechanism for the conservation of coastal and marine biodiversity in Mauritania. Registered as a charitable foundation under English law and recognized as serving a public utility mission in Mauritania since December 2010, BACoMaB operates as an endowment fund with capital invested in ethical and socially responsible financial markets. The fund uses only the investment returns to finance conservation activities, ensuring perpetual support for marine protected areas. With total assets of €41.8 million as of December 2022, the fund primarily supports the Banc d'Arguin National Park (PNBA) and Diawling National Park (PND), as well as other marine and coastal protected areas including the Cap Blanc Satellite Reserve and Programme de Conservation du Phoque Moine (Mediterranean Monk Seal Conservation Programme). BACoMaB has pioneered a dual funding approach, providing both core operating support to protected area management institutions and a Small Grants Window for civil society organizations working within or for the beneficiary zones.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

1. Main Funding Programme (Marine Protected Areas)

This programme provides core funding to marine and coastal protected area management institutions in Mauritania for recurring operational costs and activities including:

• Surveillance and monitoring
• Shared governance
• Community development
• Ecological monitoring
• Environmental education
• Capacity building

Application Method: Invitation-based. BACoMaB invites eligible protected area managers annually in June.

2. Small Grants Window (Civil Society Organizations)

Grant Range: €2,500 - €10,000

Application Method: Annual call for proposals (June-October)

Funding Duration: Annual grants (January-December calendar year), but multi-year projects up to 3 years can be supported with annual funding commitments

This programme supports civil society organizations (CSOs) active in the beneficiary zones or working toward their sustainable management. In 2016, BACoMaB's first Small Grants call distributed €30,000 across 5 projects from 23 applications.

Priority Areas

BACoMaB prioritizes funding for:

1. Natural Resource Monitoring: Surveillance, ecological monitoring, species tracking
2. Environmental Governance: Strengthening transparency, accountability, and participatory management of protected areas
3. Biodiversity Knowledge: Scientific research, species mapping, invasive species monitoring
4. Sustainable Livelihoods: Supporting local economic activities compatible with conservation (e.g., artisanal fishing improvements, eco-tourism)
5. Environmental Education: School programmes, community awareness, teacher training
6. Capacity Building: Training for protected area staff and civil society actors

Funded Project Examples (2016 Small Grants):

• Sanitation of Mamghar village - €7,810 (NGO Takadoum)
• Community waste management in Teichott - €4,795 (NGO APEPI)
• Environmental education in schools - €2,579 (NGO ASSPCI)
• Construction of housing for low-income families - €9,072 (Cooperative El Ittihad)
• Mapping invasive species - ONG Naforé
• Improving artisanal fishing performance - Union des métiers de la pêche
• Environmental awareness near nesting sites - ONG AMISO

What They Don't Fund

While not explicitly stated, BACoMaB funding is restricted to:

• Projects outside Mauritania
• Activities not aligned with marine and coastal conservation
• Projects outside the beneficiary protected area zones (PNBA, PND, Cap Blanc, and designated coastal/marine areas)
• Organizations without legal recognition in Mauritania
• Organizations with less than 2 years of project management experience

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Governance and Leadership

General Assembly (Assemblée Générale)

7 members including André Hoffmann, Abdel Wedoud Ould Cheikh, and Gabriel Hatti. Responsible for internal control and representation.

Board of Directors (Conseil d'Administration)

The Board serves as the main decision-making body, controlling fund management and setting strategic directions:

• Abdel Aziz Dahi - President (Government of Mauritania)
• Ahmed Zein - Ministry of Environment, Mauritania
• Senhoury Ahmed - Executive Director, Regional Partnership for Coastal and Marine Conservation (PRCM)
• Ignace Monkam-Daverat - Agence Française de Développement (AFD)
• Sylvie Goyet - Board Member
• Guillaume Taylor - Financial Expert

Executive Management Team

• Ahmed Lefghih - Executive Director
• Mohamed Moussa - Administrative and Financial Manager
• Oumar Ba - Operations Manager
• Marie Gaye - Administrative and Financial Assistant
• Frédéric Marret - Principal Technical Advisor

Financial Management

• Pictet (Swiss banking group) - Portfolio manager and bank depositary
• Rothschild & Co - Non-listed assets management
• Perennium SA - Financial advisor

How to Apply to Bacomab Trust Fund

How to Apply

Small Grants Window (for Civil Society Organizations)

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Legally recognized organization with documentation from competent official services of the Islamic Republic of Mauritania
2. Minimum 2 years of experience managing similar projects
3. Demonstrated motivation and capacity to execute the proposed project or activity
4. Projects must align with sustainable management and conservation of natural resources in beneficiary zones
5. Activities must be consistent with the protected area's management plan (PAG) and annual work plan (PTBA)

Application Timeline:

• June: BACoMaB issues annual invitation to submit proposals and announces the available funding envelope
• October: Application deadline
• October: Grant Allocation Committee (COS) evaluates applications and makes funding decisions
• October: Written notification of decisions sent to all applicants
• December: Grant agreements signed with successful applicants
• January: Grant funding period begins (January-December)

Required Documentation:

1. Cover letter summarizing key project elements
2. Full project proposal/request
3. Organizational profile demonstrating legal status and experience
4. Operational plan and detailed budget
5. For local development projects: Support letters from communities, local authorities, and state technical services

Evaluation Criteria:

The Grant Allocation Committee (COS) assesses applications based on:

• Available funds in the annual envelope
• Project quality and feasibility
• Alignment with protected area priorities
• Contribution from other financial partners
• Applicant's execution capabilities and track record
• Biodiversity richness of target area
• Site condition and threats
• National/international protection status
• Management institution's capabilities
• Real financing gap being addressed

Decision Timeline

Total Timeline: 4-5 months from application opening to decision

• June: Call for proposals launched
• June-October: 4-month application period
• October: Evaluation and decision
• October: Notification of outcomes
• December: Contract signing
• January (following year): Grant implementation begins

Success Rates

In 2016, BACoMaB's inaugural Small Grants call received 23 applications and funded 5 projects, representing a 22% success rate. The total funding distributed was €30,000 across 5 grantees.

Reapplication Policy

Projects can be multi-year (up to 3 years for Small Grants), with annual funding commitments reviewed and renewed each year. The fund operates on an annual calendar (January-December), and organizations can submit new proposals in subsequent years. Organizations with successful project completion records are well-positioned for future funding.

Application Success Factors

Alignment with Protected Area Priorities

Projects must be explicitly aligned with the management plan (PAG) and annual work plan (PTBA) of the beneficiary protected areas. Successful applicants in 2016 demonstrated clear connections between their activities and the conservation priorities of PNBA or PND.

Community Engagement and Support

For local development projects, BACoMaB requires support letters from communities, local authorities, and state technical services. The 2016 funded projects that combined conservation with community benefits (waste management, housing, artisanal fishing) demonstrated strong local partnerships.

Proven Track Record

Organizations must demonstrate at least 2 years of experience managing similar projects. BACoMaB emphasizes “execution capabilities” in its evaluation criteria, making demonstrated capacity essential.

Practical, Implementable Projects

Successful 2016 projects were concrete and achievable within 6 months with modest budgets (€2,500-€10,000). Projects like “acquisition of waste collection equipment” or “training teachers and conducting 3 environmental education sessions” showed clear deliverables.

Multiple Benefits

Projects that addressed both conservation and community development objectives performed well. The waste management projects improved both environmental conditions and “living conditions of local populations,” according to BACoMaB's own assessment.

Monitoring and Knowledge Generation

Projects that contributed to ecological monitoring or environmental knowledge (invasive species mapping, environmental education) aligned with BACoMaB's priority to improve understanding and management of protected areas.

Supplementary Funding, Not Replacement

BACoMaB emphasizes that its grants “contribute additional financial resources to support priority activities” rather than replacing government environmental protection efforts. Applications should demonstrate how BACoMaB funding fills a specific gap rather than substituting for other funding sources.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Geographic Specificity is Essential: Only projects in Mauritania's designated marine and coastal protected areas (PNBA, PND, Cap Blanc, and related zones) are eligible. Your organization must operate in these specific locations.

• Legal Status and Experience Matter: Ensure you have official legal recognition in Mauritania and can document at least 2 years of relevant project management experience before applying.

• Align with Management Plans: Obtain copies of the relevant protected area's management plan (PAG) and annual work plan (PTBA) and explicitly demonstrate alignment in your application. Consider consulting with protected area managers before applying.

• Modest, Achievable Projects Win: The Small Grants Window funded projects ranging from €2,500-€10,000 with 6-month timelines. Focus on concrete, specific activities with clear deliverables rather than ambitious, complex programmes.

• Balance Conservation and Community Benefits: Projects that combined environmental outcomes (waste management, habitat monitoring) with community development (improved sanitation, education, livelihoods) represented the majority of 2016 awards.

• Plan for Annual Review: Even if your project is multi-year (up to 3 years), funding is committed annually. Build strong monitoring and reporting systems to demonstrate progress and secure continued funding.

• Apply in June When the Call Opens: BACoMaB announces the available funding envelope in June and evaluates applications in October. Missing this annual window means waiting another year, so prepare materials in advance.

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The Rufford Foundation
• Global Innovation Fund
• Marr-munning Trust
• The Society For The Protection Of Animals Abroad (spana)
• The Evan Cornish Foundation
• The Carmela & Ronnie Pignatelli Foundation
• Muslim Hands
• Africa Research Excellence Fund
• Lloyd's Register Foundation

References

1. BACoMaB Trust Fund Official Website - http://www.bacomab.org
2. BACoMaB “Notre Action” - Funding Mechanisms - https://bacomab.org/notre-action/mecanisme-subventions/
3. BACoMaB “Gouvernance” - Governance Structure - https://bacomab.org/presentation/gouvernance/
4. BACoMaB “Capitalisation” - Financial Information - https://bacomab.org/presentation/capitalisation/
5. BACoMaB Civil Society Organizations - Funded Projects - https://bacomab.org/nos-beneficiaires/osc/
6. Conservation Finance Alliance - BACoMaB Profile - https://www.conservationfinancealliance.org/institutional-members/2020/11/12/bacomab-banc-darguin-and-coastal-and-marine-biodiversity-trust-fund
7. FFEM - BACoMaB Project Information - https://www.ffem.fr/en/carte-des-projets/bacomab-conservation-banc-darguin-national-park-and-other-mauritanian-coastal-and
8. UK Charity Commission - Charity Number 1136156 - https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1136156
9. Find That Charity - BACoMaB Data - https://findthatcharity.uk/orgid/GB-CHC-1136156