The Legacy Landscape Fund (LLF) is a German initiative. It aims to raise significant and sustained funding, from both public sources and private donations, to improve the management of protected areas and landscapes, together with their abundant biodiversity which is of such local and global significance. The Fund focuses on the long-term preservation of habitats, species and ecological processes.
If we really care about our health, then we need to resolutely protect nature and biodiversity… humans increase the risk of infections from pathogens when forests are destroyed, natural habitats carved out and pristine habitats are used
The Fund will focus on those protected areas where input is most likely to achieve collateral social and financial benefits and to help secure and manage territories.
It will be based on lasting partnerships with experienced NGOs and the national authorities responsible for protected areas, together with local communities and indigenous peoples. The Fund’s activities will serve to preserve protected areas and the adjoining land effectively and sustainably.
The LLF will contribute funds over the long term (at least 20 years), thanks to the resources provided by governments and private charitable foundations. Examples of future support include:
- Consolidating land and marine protected areas and ecological connectivity
- Restoring damaged ecosystems, especially forests’ drainage basins, wetlands and savannah territories in arid and semi-arid zones
- Developing local activities based on natural resources, and promoting ecolabels and fair trade.
- Stabilizing and securing rural territories and peoples, especially via job-creation and training relating to protected areas and associated local activities.
30 years
A million dollars each year for 15 to 30 years
This is the estimated amount required to fund the lasting preservation of a protected area with outstanding natural and cultural heritage. 225 million has been raised as part of the LLF's goal to reach $1 billion by 2030.
At this stage, the LLF has pre-identified seven legacy landscapes on which the Fund will focus its work. Depending on the funding available, other sites may join the programme.
The current target landscapes are: Iona (Angola), Odzala-Kokoua (Republic of the Congo), Gonarezhou (Zimbabwe), North Luangwa (Zambia), Madidi (Bolivia), Gunung Leuser (Indonesia), Cardamom Mountains (Cambodia).
As of January 2023, the LLF's work covers more than 341,000 km² of land.
For more information
The Fund is managed by a German charitable foundation.
Decisions are made by a Supervisory Board, with five members drawn from both public and private sectors. Day-to-day management is provided by the Management Board. An Investment Committee is also currently being set up.
The Fund will be organized in two parts: a sinking fund on the one hand and an endowment fund, from which financial income will be derived over the long term, on the other. To start with, one million euros each year will be allocated to each protected area for a duration of at least 15 years, beyond which time the endowment fund, once established, is expected to provide lasting income.
Members and partners:
Funding: KFW, BMZ, charitable foundations.
Technical expertise and implementation IUCN, African Parks Network - APN, African Wildlife Foundation - AWF, World Wildlife Fund - WWF, Conservation International - CI, Wildlife Conservation Society - WCS, The Nature Conservancy - TNC, Noé Conservation
Website: https://legacylandscapes.org/
Contact: Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) BMZ Division 102 - Pandemic Prevention, One Health, Animal Health, Biodiversity. poststelle@bmz.bund.de