About Us

Malamba Coastal Collaborative

Malamba Coastal Collaborative (MCC) is a partnership with and between indigenous communities and stakeholders dependent on 12,000ha of marine and coastal habitat in Inhambane, Mozambique.

MCC's field station and HQ is an emerging hub for environmental protection & education, and sustainable forest- and ocean-based livelihoods centered on the remote, coastal corridor that links Bazaruto National Park and Pomene National Reserve.

Thanks to the support and partnerships of our inaugural partners, we are now pioneering community-led conservation in the core of this important coastal landscape.

MCC was established in 2021, has full-time presence in this seascape, and is now an emerging hub for environmental protection & education, and sustainable forest- and ocean-based livelihoods centered on the coastal corridor that links Bazaruto National Park and Pomene National Reserve and the Vilankulo Sanctuary. Our field station is based on a 100ha costal dune and forest sanctuary alongside communities in the Inhambane Center of Endemism, a designated Potential Key Biodiversity Area and a "Mission Blue Hope Spot." The famous Baixo Zambia-Afrika reef-system lies offshore.

Malamba is a critical area for environmental education and protection.Its remoteness and high level of endemism span marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Indigenous communities here are by far the keystone to effective and sustainable conservation, and already the champions of this ecosystem.

Our commitment to, and authentic partnership with local communities is what sets MCC apart. While we strive for innovative and scaleable solutions that shift the boundaries on how conservation is practiced in Mozambique, we strongly believe that the key to effective environmental protection is growing community power and strengthening local governance.

Core objectives

Restoration and protection of coastal miombo forests and near-shore marine habitats in direct partnership with indigenous communities, including visioning, planning and implementation.

Community-led restoration & protection of the baixo zambia and baixo Africa reef ecosystems.

Community based restoration and protection of the rare coastal Miombo Forest

Strengthening local governance and ensuring community leadership stands at the forefront of all conservation programming.

Forge partnerships with national and international organizations that share the community's values and vision for a protected seascape.

Our approach is strongly aligned with local, national and internationalgoals, including:

Mozambique Priority 1: Development of Human Capital and Social Justice; Expanded and improved access to health services; Promoting civi participation by youth through sociocultural, economic and sports activities; Promoting gender equity and equality, social inclusion and protection of most vulnerable segments of the population
Mozambique Priority 3: Strengthen the sustainable use of natural resources and environment including the conservation of ecosystems and biodiversity; Reduce the vulnerability of communities to climate risks, natural disasters and anthropogenic actions
Mozambique's National Strategy for Management and Conservation of Coral Reefs
Mozambique's National Strategy for Adaptation and Mitigation of Climate Change
Mozambique's National Strategy for Emission Reduction From Deforestation and Forest Degradation
Mozambique's Forest Conservation and Increase of Carbon Reserves Through the Forests
Mozambique's National Strategy for Mangrove Management
Mozambique's Fisheries Law (Law n. 22/2013) which empowers local communities to lead in fisheries management
Biodiversity Conservation Law (Law n. 5/2017) which enables the creation of Community Conservation Areas.
The 2022 Maputo Declaration to halt and address threats to Miombo woodland ecosystems.
The Aichi Biodiversity Targets that aim to conserve coastal and marine areas through effectively and equitably managed, ecologically representative and a well-connected systems of protected areas.
12 of the 17 UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals.

Malamba Coastal Collaborative

Alongside a coalition of partners we are pioneering community-led coastal conservation through collaborative and synergistic programming, including:

Biodiversity & Traditional Knowledge Mapping

Coastal Forest Guardians, The Honeybee Alliance & Family Forests

Next-Generations: Environment & Wellbeing

Ocean Protectors & Community Fisheries Council

Core objectives

Our approach is strongly aligned with local, national and internationalgoals, including:

Thanks to the support and partnerships of our inaugural partners, we are now pioneering community-led conservation in the core of this important coastal landscape.

Learn more about us:

Our Impact

Our Team

Our Partners

Thank you to our supporters