The Okapi Fund For Nature Conservation In The Democratic Republic Of Congo

Charity Number: 1157294

Annual Expenditure: £0.8M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £785,865 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
  • Total Income: £1,188,567 (2024)
  • Endowment Capital: $23 million USD (€15m from KfW + $7.4m from World Bank)
  • Geographic Focus: Democratic Republic of Congo (protected areas)
  • Investment Income: £753,079 (2024)
  • Legal Structure: UK-registered charity and conservation trust fund

Contact Details

UK Registered Office:

10 Queen Street Place, London EC4R 1BE

DRC Operations:

  • Executive Director: Guillaume de Rouville
  • Email: derouville@fonds-okapi-rdc.org
  • Phone: +243 (0) 894 604 279
  • Website: https://fonds-okapi-rdc.org/

Alternative Contact: derouville@hotmail.com | +2438989000001

Overview

The Okapi Fund for Nature Conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (also known as FOCON - Fonds Okapi pour la Conservation de la Nature) was established in 2014 as the first conservation trust fund in the DRC. It is registered as UK Charity 1157294 and operates as a private, legally independent institution. Officially launched in February 2020 after 11 years of development, the fund was capitalized with $23 million from KfW (€15 million in December 2019) and the World Bank ($7.4 million in January 2020). The fund operates as an endowment, investing capital in financial markets and distributing only the investment income to conservation programs. Its mission is to provide sustainable, long-term financing for the conservation, protection, and improvement of biodiversity and the natural environment of the DRC, with priority focus on the country's national system of protected areas.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Okapi Fund makes grants from its investment income to support protected area management in the DRC. Applications are submitted through a self-initiated process in French.

Primary Protected Areas Funded (Initial 5-year focus):

  • Garamba National Park (Ituri province)
  • Kahuzi-Biega National Park (South Kivu)

Both are UNESCO World Heritage Sites designated as “World Heritage Sites in Danger.”

Expansion Plans:

As investment returns increase, the fund will extend support to additional protected areas including Virunga National Park, Lomami National Park, Itombwe Nature Reserve, and botanical gardens.

Priority Areas

  • Environmental Protection: Natural resource management, biodiversity conservation
  • Forest & Woodlands: Conservation of DRC's forest ecosystems
  • Wildlife/Endangered Species: Protection of endangered species including okapi
  • Protected Areas Management: Operational costs, staff support, equipment
  • Community Development: Poverty relief and livelihood improvement for populations living in and around protected areas
  • Biodiversity Research: Supporting scientific research
  • Eco-tourism Development: Promoting sustainable tourism
  • Environmental Education: Training and awareness programs
  • Restoration: Habitat restoration and conservation measures

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside the Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Projects not related to protected areas or biodiversity conservation
  • General overhead costs unrelated to conservation activities
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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (Board of 8)

  • Bob Tumba Matamba (President)
  • Francois Mukoka Nsenda
  • Jean Mbuyu
  • Jean-Philippe Waterschoot (CEO of TEXAF)
  • Kapupu Diwa Mutimanwa
  • Dr. Karin Derflinger
  • Raymond Sinsi Lumbuenamo
  • Verena Seiler (Head of KfW bureau in Kinshasa)

Note: Trustees receive no remuneration, though the Board sets the Executive Director's remuneration. One employee earns £150,000-£200,000 annually.

Leadership Philosophy

Bob Tumba Matamba (President) stated: “Conservation of nature can financially outperform mining or oil exploitation.”

Guillaume de Rouville (Executive Director) noted: “The BRIDGE project provides an opportunity for us to meet with other trust funds and share knowledge in order to define joint strategies.”

Partnership Approach

The fund works closely with the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN), which manages DRC's national parks and serves as a primary grantee. The fund also supports NGOs, community organizations, subnational governments, and municipalities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Method: Self-initiated application process
  • Language: French
  • Application Portal: Contact through derouville@fonds-okapi-rdc.org
  • Eligible Applicants:
  • Communities/Non-registered citizen groups
  • Non-profit or Civil Society Organizations (NGOs)
  • Subnational government entities
  • Towns & Municipalities
  • Protected area management authorities (ICCN)

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified. As an endowment fund model, grants are typically allocated based on annual investment returns and strategic planning cycles rather than rolling deadlines.

Investment Strategy

The fund targets a 6% return on financial investments in stocks and bonds, with only investment income (not principal) available for grant distribution.

Application Success Factors

Strategic Alignment

  • Geographic Focus: Projects must be in or directly support DRC's protected areas system
  • Primary Beneficiaries: Garamba and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks remain the initial priority areas
  • Social Integration: Projects should consider social aspects and rural economy alongside conservation goals
  • Long-term Sustainability: The fund seeks to support ongoing operational costs rather than one-time projects

Types of Projects Funded

Based on the fund's structure and mission, successful projects likely include:

  • Staff salaries and allowances for park rangers and conservation personnel
  • Equipment purchases for protected area management
  • Training programs for conservation staff
  • Construction of guard posts and monitoring infrastructure
  • Community-based conservation initiatives
  • Biodiversity monitoring activities
  • Conflict mitigation between wildlife and communities

Language and Approach

Applications should be submitted in French and demonstrate:

  • Clear conservation outcomes for DRC's biodiversity
  • Sustainable impact on protected area management
  • Integration with ICCN or other established conservation authorities
  • Benefit to communities living in and around protected areas

World Bank Context

Eustache Ouayoro from the World Bank noted the project aims to "help preserve the DRC's world class biodiversity, improve the long-term viability of the national parks system, and help to bring jobs and stability to the country's war-torn communities."

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Endowment Model: Unlike traditional grant-makers, the Okapi Fund operates as an endowment, meaning funding availability depends on investment returns rather than annual fundraising cycles
  • Geographic Specificity: Projects must focus exclusively on DRC protected areas, with initial priority on Garamba and Kahuzi-Biega National Parks
  • ICCN Partnership Essential: Strong relationships with or endorsement from the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) likely increases success rates
  • French Language Required: All applications must be submitted in French
  • Operational Focus: The fund prioritizes sustainable operational costs (staff, equipment, infrastructure) rather than research or one-off projects
  • Community Integration: Projects should demonstrate benefits to local communities alongside conservation outcomes
  • Long-term Sustainability: The fund was created to provide “significant, stable and predictable financial resources” - emphasize long-term impact over short-term gains
  • Capitalize on Expansion Plans: While initial focus is on two parks, the fund plans to expand to other protected areas as returns grow - early engagement may position organizations for future funding

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