A healthy sustainable environment for our wildlife and natural resources is a foundation for economic and social prosperity.
VISION
MISSION
Conservation Risk Initiative expands and protects conservation and agricultural habitats by initiating, managing, and supporting activities that enhance socio-economic prosperity for stakeholders in partnership with communities, governments, wildlife authorities, and private enterprises.
Conservation risk initiative (CRI) is incorporated in South Africa as a “Public Benefit Organization” (PBO) and South African donors will be issued with a tax exemption certificate. Similar structures will develop over time in other countries (i.e. USA section 501c), creating tax exemption opportunities for investors and funders.
CRI aims to mitigate risk associated with conservation through initiatives that involve communities, wildlife agencies, authorities, agriculture, and business development.
FUNDING & DONATIONS
Due to various factors in South Africa, Public Benefit Organizations cannot generate funding from government sources. Conservation Risk Initiative relies heavily on public support by means of sponsorships and donations. Donors in South Africa will receive a Tax Exemption Certificate.
FUNDING PRINCIPLES
Initially, 25 percent of funds will be used for the administration and running of CRI, but the objective is to, within 3 years, generate income through services to finance running and administration costs. Then 100 percent of donated funds will be used for the intended project.
Funds will only be allocated according to the funder’s choice.
Transparent fund allocation process and requirement status.
OUR VALUES
INTEGRITY
We will adhere to moral and ethical and best practices principles and take responsibility for our actions.
COMMUNITY FOCUS
We create long-term relationships, consistently delivering value to beneficiaries.
PASSION
We are passionate about conservation and we embrace stakeholders and employees with the same values.
CREATIVITY
We initiate and support programs that represent creative solutions to conservation problems.
LEADERSHIP
We lead with courage and compassion, conserving wildlife and natural resources with agricultural and other developments through management and mentorship programmes, funding incentives, guidance and collaboration.
TRANSPARENCY
We will operate openly and candidly and provide full disclosure on issues related to investment, funding, operations, and sub-contractual service-level agreements.
INTERDEPENDENCE
We work collaboratively with other non-profit organizations assuring the best possible outcome to the end goal of conservation and socio-economic improvement for communities.
OUR VALUES
INTEGRITY
We will adhere to moral and ethical and best practices principles and take responsibility for our actions.
COMMUNITY FOCUS
We create long-term relationships, consistently delivering value to beneficiaries.
PASSION
We are passionate about conservation and we embrace stakeholders and employees with the same values.
CREATIVITY
We initiate and support programs that represent creative solutions to conservation problems.
LEADERSHIP
We lead with courage and compassion, conserving wildlife and natural resources with agricultural and other developments through management and mentorship programmes, funding incentives, guidance and collaboration.
TRANSPARENCY
We will operate openly and candidly and provide full disclosure on issues related to investment, funding, operations, and sub-contractual service-level agreements.
INTERDEPENDENCE
We work collaboratively with other non-profit organizations assuring the best possible outcome to the end goal of conservation and socio-economic improvement for communities.
CRI is driven by the following strategic anchors
CRI is driven by the following strategic anchors
Facilitate and manage conservation projects within Sub-Sahara Africa.
Facilitate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects for commercial, mining, oil and gas and other relevant developments.
Carry out conservation research projects in conjunction with university institutions.
Replicate proven conservation projects strategies within the Southern African Development Community (SADC).
Undertake technology development assessments for telemetry and drone applications.
Facilitate and develop ecotourism projects within South Africa and SADC countries.
Facilitate government engagement to obtain approval for delivery of rare species to national parks, reserves and breeding facilities within the end-user countries.
Conserve and protect existing vulnerable habitats.
Support law enforcement activities
Alleviate rural poverty through job creation and development projects
Initiate agriculture projects in symbiosis with wildlife areas
Augment agricultural skills to provide alternative food sources
Initiate long term management and mentoring programmes
Educate and involve communities and schools in conservation
Involve local and international skills to find solutions.
Initiate research programs in biodiversity, wildlife, and agricultural fields.
Find and distribute funding through donors and sponsors to achieve objectives.
Raise funds for all of the above.
As stated, the points in bold remains the most important core objectives for our proposed alliance. The reason to have the CRI is that the core companies are based in South Africa, and this gives us a firm base from which to launch into other countries within the region. Therefore, it is the replication of the CRI Model in areas where large companies working in Africa can issue the kind of funds that will show real success will be our key target market and stakeholder buy-in will be crucial to this process.
CORE STRATEGIC PHILOSOPHIES
CORE STRATEGIC PHILOSOPHIES
Funding: The availability and focus of funds are the single largest issue within the conservation space. Misuse of funds is rife and even well-intentioned donations can be misdirected. Projects need better focus and compliance. Explaining the proper means of how to utilize overseas funding will also be important so that a system can be created whereby the CRI controls projects and budgets from inception to completion.
Inclusion of previously disadvantaged communities: Communities need to not only participate in projects but also require ownership; This will be vital for obtaining government support.
Training and skills development: The current standards of skills development are at an all-time low and better funded and better-focused facilities are needed for more advanced training.
Tapping into the CSR market: Corporate and Social Responsibility projects are not a new concept but the explanation of advantages for corporations is currently lacking.
Industry conservation: An example would be conservation within buffer areas of mines and further implementing green zones that require management and protection; and
Adequately funded research for all of the above via integration and collaboration with university institutions should be applied where appropriate. This will lend legitimacy to the process.
Fred Wilke
Fred has over 40 years of experience in military and security management roles. His career started in the military at Special Forces as a sea-borne operator. He later becomes Commanding Officer of a Special Forces unit.
He obtained a B-Mil degree and completed the Naval Command and Staff Course. He has international experience in managing security operations in hostile, risky, and war-torn environments, ensuring the safety of personnel, facilities, and assets. His skills span the management of people, resources, strategy, and planning. International experience includes countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Angola, Mozambique, and Tanzania.
JACO LESSING
Possess over 20 years of experience in the Military, paramilitary, and security industries. His career started in the South African Defense force as an Infantry instructor specializing in heavy weapons. Over the years he was involved in various projects including the Training of foreign armies, remote site protection, convoy security, Offensive and Defensive drivers, Reaction forces, Anti-piracy, Counter poaching, Ship- and Port risk mitigation, and risk assessments.
Possesses management skills in various disciplines including Human Resources and Project Management, a passion for conservation and wildlife led to recent career activities in conservation, addressing issues related to biodiversity, law Enforcement (counter-poaching), Rural food security, and skills development.
DAVIDE BOMBEN
Born in Italy, he is the president of the Italian Association of African Experts. Wrote 20 books about Africa and Nature, he has been on national TV in hundreds of programs as an expert in conservation and ecotourism. Trainer, mentor, advisor, and subject matter expert for the NATO Security Force Assistance Centre of Excellence. He has been actively involved with the European Parliament for conservation in Africa.
He is a shooting instructor and tactical instructor for many organizations such as the European Security Academy, Tactical Professional Academy, The European Academy for Security Services, and the Survival Instructors World Association and Team Zero. He is the training director of the Poaching Prevention Academy and of the African Field Guides Association. He has created the training protocol for anti-poaching for the Security Skills Certification Scheme www.sscs-scheme.com
He worked as a trainer and assessor in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Kenya, and Congo. He has trained more than 200 rangers and anti-poaching operators both in National parks and in private game reserves in the last 15 years. He is the anti-poaching expert for the African Tourism Board and cooperates directly with the South African embassy in Italy.
