Gaia has been working in Africa since its inception and now partners a large number of grassroots organisations and inspiring individuals across the continent. In 2002 Gaia was was one the founders of the African Biodiversity Network (ABN), established in order to support local organisations working to protect and revive vibrant and resilient communities rooted in their own biological, cultural amd spiritual diversity. From modest beginnings, the ABN is now made up of more than 40 grassroots organisations from across the continent all striving for African solutions to the ecological, economic and social challenges they face. The network provides a rich space in which grassroots African leaders can come together to share processes, understandings and practices towards creating resilient African communities with a renewed sense of confidence and identity.

The ABN is restoring the pride of people so that they can deal with the challenges that face them. So that they have the confidence to say no to imposed solutions. And so that instead, they can stand proud and say that they are happy with their own indigenous practices and systems

Zachary Makanya, African Biodiversity network Chairman

The History

One of our first Associates in Africa was Irwin Freedman who, in the 1980's, was Director of the Valley Trust, an organisation supporting traditional healers and the cultivation of medicinal plants in South Africa. Irwin later went on to found SEED Trust, focussing on primary health care, which in turn helped to nurture another Gaia partner, the Mupo Foundation.

The late Prof. Wangari Maathai, founder of the Green Belt Movement (GBM) in Kenya was also an early Gaia Associate. With a remarkable vision and enthusiasm to stop the degradation of Kenya's ecological and cultural heritage, she was hampered by having only a small office in her home, bursting with GBM staff. Gaia helped raise awareness and funds for her campaigns. As the Green Belt Movement grew, it was able to challenge corruption and landgrabbing with Wangari's courageous leadership. Gaia nominated her for international awards as a way of raising her profile to protect both Wangari and GBM. These included the Right Livelihood Award and the Sophie Prize. For her work on environment, justice and human rights, she later received the Nobel Peace Prize.

Africans are uniting and becoming a rightful force for negotiation on issues of huge current environmental concern, like genetically engineered crops and agrofuels. Much of that is thanks to Gaia's encouragement and support. Dr Tewolde Gebre Egziabher

Gaia began working with Dr Tewolde Gebre Egziaber of the Environment Protection Agency, and Sue Edwards and supported the founding of their organisation, The Institute for Sustainable Development (ISD). Gaia worked closely with Dr Tewolde and GRAIN to strengthen the African Group of negotiators in international meetings such as the FAO and the Convention on Biological Diversity. This resulted in the African Group leading the G77, for the first time. We also worked together to develop the Organisation of African Union (OAU) Model Laws on community Rights and Biosafety.

Gaia supported the founding of Biowatch and The Mupo Foundation, and works closely with the Environmental Monitoring Group (EMG). one of the longest standing South African environmental groups.

Alongside this work, Gaia has nurtured partnerships such as the Wilderness Foundation, in South Africa, led by the dynamic Andrew Muir, and Usiko Programme which uses wilderness experience and mentoring as an antidote to the powerful gang culture which dominates youth in South African townships. Learning exchanges betwen partners, organised by Gaia, have led to wilderness programmes for youth, community leaders and change agents, in Ethiopia, Kenya and Benin.

One of the most exciting outcomes of Gaia's partnerships in Africa, has been the formation of the African Biodiversity Network with a Secretariat in Kenya. Over the last decade we have worked closely to support the founding of a number of grassroots organisations across Africa. Partners such as MELCA-Ethiopia, the Porini Association and the Institute for Culture & Ecology are all leading practitioners in the principles of Community Ecological Governance, which has emerged through close collaboration between the African Biodiversity Network and Gaia.