The Okapi Fund for Nature Conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £785,865 (charitable activities expenditure, 2024)
• Total Income: £1,188,567 (2024)
• 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) 893 378 107
• Website: https://fonds-okapi-rdc.org/

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. The fund operates as an endowment, investing capital in financial markets through a professional portfolio manager and distributing only the investment income to conservation programmes. 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 Programmes

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. The fund began financing projects in protected areas from late 2022 when the first revenues from capitalisation were generated.

Primary Protected Areas Funded:

• Garamba National Park (PNG)
• Kahuzi-Biega National Park (PNKB)

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 in the DRC.

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 programmes
• 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

Leadership

Executive Director: Guillaume de Rouville

The fund seeks to take into account social aspects and the rural economy in the conservation process, forming part of a new vision for conservation in the DRC.

Partnership Approach

The fund works through intermediaries who manage the parks, including the Institut Congolais pour la Conservation de la Nature (ICCN) or ICCN-mandated organisations such as international NGOs like WWF or African Parks. The fund does not intervene directly in protected areas but provides grants to park managers and conducts monitoring missions to verify the use of allocated grants.

How to Apply to The Okapi Fund For Nature Conservation In The Democratic Republic Of Congo

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 Organisations (NGOs)
• Subnational government entities
• Towns & Municipalities
• Protected area management authorities (ICCN)
• International conservation NGOs managing protected areas

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 invests its capital through a professional portfolio manager, 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 are 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 programmes 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

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
• Intermediary Approach: The fund works through park managers (ICCN or mandated organisations) rather than implementing projects directly
• French Language Required: All applications must be submitted in French
• Operational Focus: The fund prioritises 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 aims to provide stable, predictable financial resources - emphasise long-term impact over short-term gains
• Monitoring and Control: Be prepared for field monitoring missions to verify grant usage

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• Congo Church Association
• Pelorus Foundation
• Colchester Zoological Society
• Tusk Trust Limited
• Synchronicity Earth
• H C D Memorial Fund
• Olsen Animal Trust
• The Rufford Foundation
• The Whitley Fund For Nature
• Christian Aid

References

• Charity Commission (UK), “The Okapi Fund for Nature Conservation in the Democratic Republic of Congo - Charity 1157294”, Register of Charities. https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regid=1157294&subid=0

• Fonds Okapi official website: https://fonds-okapi-rdc.org/