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Madagascar

Famelona

Association Famelona

Empowering community-led management of North-Western landscapes in Madagascar. →

Partner stage: Active
Region: Western Indian Ocean (WIO)
Dense green forest canopy seen from above

Impact →

Managing two Category 5 Protected Areas (PAs) covering 165,995 Ha in the unique landscapes of the Sambirano Domain, in the North-West of Madagascar. With over 10 years of intervention, they managed to consistently decrease forest cover loss in the areas with a mean of 1,4% per year. Between 2021 and 2024, fire points significantly decreased.

Association Famelona is a leading Malagasy organisation managing the Ampasindava-Antanibe Andrefa and Galoko-Kalobinono protected areas since they were established in 2013. Founded to advance applied biodiversity research and nurture the next generation of local conservation leaders, Famelona combines scientific expertise with deep community engagement to deliver sustainable landscape management.

Working across the Sambirano Domain in northwestern Madagascar, an economic hub whose prosperity is rooted in its natural riches. These rare lowland rainforests, coastal mangroves and productive marine systems support exceptional biodiversity and underpin local livelihoods, yet face growing pressure from unsustainable resource use and limited local capacity within isolated communities.

Famelona’s approach centers communities as co-managers of their territories and strengthens local leadership through participatory governance, patrols, ecological monitoring and restoration. By integrating scientific research, local knowledge and deep community trust, Famelona is building resilient governance systems that safeguard ecosystems while advancing economic opportunity.

A small boat carrying fishers on calm blue seaHands holding harvested nutsGreen farmlandAn elephant in dry grasslandPeople in red Maasai dress standing togetherAerial view of a livestock enclosure in arid landLivestock moving through golden dust at sunsetA ranger in red dress using tracking equipment
Illustration of a group meeting around tables
Maliasili exists to help talented local conservation organizations overcome their challenges and constraints so that they can become more effective agents of change in their landscapes, communities, and nations.

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