Collaboration, innovation and community leadership are the hallmarks of our approach
We believe that success in Human-Centred Conservation succeeds when Local Communities lead initiatives that benefit both people and wildlife. Here is how we make that happen.
Our Approach
At Jamma, we work through a Human-Centred Conservation approach, strengthening knowledge and supporting conservation solutions that are socially grounded and locally relevant. We build networks for greater scale and collaborate with partners who share our commitment to practical, evidence-based approaches, creating the conditions for meaningful, lasting impact.
Partnerships and Collaborations
Jamma partners with organisations and networks that share a Human-Centred Conservation philosophy, recognising that lasting conservation outcomes depend as much on people, rights, governance, and lived experience as on ecological objectives.
We engage in different ways. As investors and committed partners, we work closely with projects over time, contributing resources, expertise, and strategic support to achieve measurable environmental, social, and economic outcomes. Alongside this, we collaborate with a wide range of actors to strengthen knowledge, align efforts, and increase collective impact.
Our partnerships and collaborations include Indigenous Peoples and Local Community networks, Community-Based Organisations, sustainable use experts, academics, conservation organisations, influential networks, and governments. By combining expertise, resources, and shared values, we help advance practical, evidence-based solutions that benefit both people and the planet.
Project Criteria
We hold ourselves to high standards when developing and evaluating project concepts. Here’s how we do it:
Sustainable Development Goals
Jamma prioritises projects aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as they provide a comprehensive framework for environmental, social, and economic sustainability. Supporting SDG-focused initiatives promotes conservation that builds resilient communities, sustainable economies, and biodiversity conservation—delivering local impact within a global vision.
Convention of Biological Diversity Targets
Projects advancing the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) targets contribute to resilient ecosystems and and the safeguarding of biodiversity. By supporting CBD goals, Jamma aids ecosystem restoration, biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and community involvement, enhancing both ecological and community resilience.
Thematic Areas
We focus on critical ecosystems—such as grasslands, savannas, mangroves, fynbos, and forests—due to their importance for biodiversity and climate resilience and therefore, communities. These areas sequester carbon, sustain livelihoods, and support unique species, making them high-value targets for Jamma’s investments.
Data collection and monitoring: Ensuring communities, practitioners, decision-makers, and policymakers are informed by rigorous research and data to facilitate the effective implementation of the Human Centred Conservation approach.
Governance: Strengthening local governance structures to enable communities to lead conservation efforts through a transparent and effective decision-making process founded on HCC principles.
Sustainable Use: Promoting responsible resource use that benefits communities while maximising and improving the ecological dynamic.
Social Enterprise / Bio- Economies: Fostering biodiversity-focused enterprises that create sustainable economies for communities.
Human-Wildlife Conflict: Working with communities to develop solutions to improve coexistence between humans and wildlife.
Supporting a CBNRM Conservation Area: Providing support to establish or enhance conservation areas that prioritise the HCC approach.
Supporting Human-Centred Conservation: Investing in initiatives that align with the HCC approach.
Key Ecosystems
We focus on critical ecosystems—such as grasslands, savannas, mangroves, fynbos, and forests—due to their importance for biodiversity and climate resilience and therefore, communities. These areas sequester carbon, sustain livelihoods, and support unique species, making them high-value targets for Jamma’s investments.
Croplands
Deserts
Lakes, Wetlands and Mangroves
Marine
Savannah, Shrublands and Grasslands
Temperate Forests
No Focus/Multiple Ecosystems
Key Species
Jamma prioritises projects involving key species groups, such as predators and large herbivores, which play a critical role in maintaining ecosystem balance. These species often come into conflict with humans. By supporting strategies to reduce these conflicts, Jamma works to foster safety and stability for local communities while conserving ecosystems.
Herbivore
Predator
Key Biodiversity Areas
Projects within Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are particularly impactful, as these regions are globally recognised for their conservation value. Working in KBAs helps safeguard vital habitats and species at risk.
Landscape Approach
Jamma invests in landscape conservation approaches that integrate local and regional ecosystems for broad, cohesive impact. By contributing to landscape connectivity, these projects foster biodiversity, support wide-ranging species, and strengthen ecological resilience across entire regions.
Landscape Approach
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