History – Jumijaza

About us

WHO WE ARE

Community Forests Conservation Association of Zanzibar (JUMIJAZA), known in Kiswahili as Jumuiya ya Uhifadhi wa Misitu ya Jamii Zanzibar, is a non-governmental, non-profit, and non-political organization established in 2012 under the Zanzibar Civil Society Act No. 6 of 1995.

We are an autonomous social institution committed to empowering communities to sustainably manage and benefit from natural resources. Our work is rooted in the belief that long-term conservation can only be achieved when local communities are actively involved, informed, and economically empowered.

Operating across Zanzibar, we collaborate with communities, their conservation institutions, local leaders, and partners to co-develop solutions that balance environmental protection with sustainable livelihood improvement

Our Vision

Poverty free society by supporting improvement of natural resources base and ensure their sustainable utilization for the benefit of present and future generation.

Our Mission

To empower communities to sustainably manage and utilize natural resources through

Capacity Building
Catalyzing Conservation Initiatives
Promote market-based conservation incentives
Reduce forest dependence

JUMIJAZA History

From a small initiative to a growing force in community-led conservation, JUMIJAZA’s journey reflects commitment, impact, and continuous growth.

2012

Foundation & Vision

JUMIJAZA was established to address increasing pressure on forest resources and to empower communities to take an active role in conservation, carbon development and sustainable resource management.

2015

Expanding Community Engagement

The organization began scaling its community outreach, introducing structured training programs and strengthening local governance systems for better forest management.

2018

Livelihoods & Eco-Enterprise Growth

JUMIJAZA launched initiatives focused on sustainable livelihoods, supporting communities to adopt eco-friendly income-generating activities such as beekeeping and small-scale enterprises.

2022

Market-Based Conservation Solutions

The organization introduced innovative approaches including sustainable value chains and early-stage carbon and climate-related initiatives, linking conservation efforts with economic opportunities.

NOW

Scaling Impact Across Zanzibar

Today, JUMIJAZA continues to expand its reach, working with more communities, strengthening partnerships, and driving sustainable solutions that balance environmental conservation with community wellbeing.

Our Core Values

Community Empowerment

We place communities at the center of everything we do.

Sustainability

We promote long-term solutions that protect both people and the environment.

Collaboration

We work with partners, stakeholders, and communities to achieve shared goals.

Integrity & Transparency

We uphold accountability and openness in all our actions.

Diversity

We recognize, respect and value different genders, cultures, knowledge systems and ecosystems that together strengthen communities and conservation efforts.

Conservation driving sustainable community development

Our COMMITMENT

We are committed to creating a future where forests are protected, communities are thriving, and natural resources are sustainably managed for generations to come.

Through our work, we aim to bridge the gap between conservation and development, ensuring that protecting the environment also improves people’s lives.

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