Bridging the gaps: The network connecting local conservation efforts across Africa 

Image © Alinea

In Victoria Falls National Park in Zimbabwe, 20 school children from a rural village grip their notebooks with anticipation as they wait to meet a special guest. Judge is no ordinary classroom presenter. She’s an African white-backed vulture – and a wildlife ambassador for the Conservation Education programme at Victoria Falls Wildlife Trust (VFWT). 

Inquisitive and sociable, Judge has been part of VFWT’s outreach work since she was rescued as an injured fledgling. As a critically endangered species, she helps spark conversations about human-wildlife conflict and the vulnerability of vultures, especially to poisoning by poachers. An emotional connection with wildlife helps reinforce what the children are learning, and they will be more likely to carry a newfound appreciation for vultures – as sentinels for poaching, clean-up crews for disease, and an important part of local biodiversity.  

Homegrown programmes like this are at the heart of solutions to some of Africa’s biggest conservation challenges. From preventing wildlife crime to restoring habitats, small community teams have the local knowledge and insight to create lasting change. However, without the funds and structures needed to create enduring, scalable programmes, their impact can be fragmented and isolated. 

This is because conservation funders tend to favour large, established organisations backed by robust reporting that meet donors’ compliance needs. This means that local organisations, deeply rooted in the landscapes they protect, can fly beneath the radar of large foundations, and thus struggle to access reliable funding, which would help them to grow sustainably. This is a shame because community organisations are often doing great work to help their own communities, and usually, being closest to the problem, have the best solutions.  

“Grassroots organisations are uniquely positioned to drive meaningful change,” says Kerri Rademeyer, CEO of Alinea. “Their deep local connections enable them to foster unity and trust, and to align efforts toward shared goals, and implement solutions that are both context-specific and sustainable.” 

Alinea is a new organisation that was set up to link smaller conservation and community organisations to the funding, organisational support, and promotion they need to thrive. “Through our partners, local communities are engaged in protecting wildlife and biodiversity, supporting livelihoods, creating jobs, and working together to use and share expertise,” says Kerri 

Since it began in 2021, Alinea has supported over 15 organisations across 11 countries in Africa. Alinea’s coordination has meant a more resilient, capable, and interconnected conservation landscape, where local leadership is reinforced by global support, and conservation outcomes are both sustainable and inclusive.  

Alinea works in three key ways to strengthen its network members. It connects trusted local organisations with global funders, urgent needs with proven solutions, and fragmented efforts with shared goals. By providing support such as operational problem-solving and strategic planning, it promotes the work of partners through verified reporting and storytelling, and helps them to shine on the global stage. Thus, Alinea helps local organisations attract and receive investment from new funders. 

“We take a systems-based approach,” says Kerri. “This means looking at the landscape as a whole, and focusing on four areas that can make conservation a success on a large scale: natural security, economics, society, and knowledge and research.” 

Examples of Alinea’s work in action include a satellite-based automated early warning system at CLAWS (Communities Living Among Wildlife Sustainably), which tracks lions and alerts farmers when they approach cattle posts. This has eradicated lion poisoning incidents since it was introduced in 2019. At the request of local communities, CLAWS also oversees communal herds of cattle – helping protect them from predators and provide regular veterinary care. It is also helping revive traditional herding practices, and improve market access and beef sales, to boost local economies. 

Other organisations train local community members as rangers, while in Namibia, Kwando Carnivore Project hires hunter-gatherers as game guards. In Mozambique’s Magude District, the Mozambique Wildlife Alliance empowers Rapid Response Units to safely and effectively redirect elephants away from villages, while fostering strong communities through programmes that build local resilience and capacity. 
 
Thanks to Alinea’s efforts, dozens of conservation organisations are more financially stable, and delivering measurable results across Africa. And, as the network grows, Alinea hopes to create more funding opportunities that connect passionate community-run organisations with donors. More efficient funding leads to stronger protection for natural environments – and the communities who depend on them. 

Back in Victoria Falls the discussion finishes with a free hot meal. Each child heads home to their village with a story booklet on how to be a wildlife guardian, and contact details for the human-wildlife conflict hotline. Judge ends her meet-and-greet with 20 new allies, committed to protecting her wild home and its natural resources long into the future. 

Oak supports the Alinea network as part of our Environment programme, which places people at the heart of our grant-making to safeguard our future and restore our connection to nature.