The Southern Alliance for Indigenous Resources (SAFIRE) has received the Environmental Stewardship and Social Impact Award for its work in community-led conservation. The organization was recognized at the 2024 Manicaland Province Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Environmental Sustainability, and Governance (ESG) Awards, an event designed to acknowledge contributions to sustainable development in the region.
The award highlights more than three decades of SAFIRE’s operations in Zimbabwe, focused on community-based natural resource management. The annual awards are organized by the Corporate Social Responsibility Network Zimbabwe to identify organizations that demonstrate a commitment to sustainable practices and positive social outcomes.
In a statement following the event, SAFIRE’s leadership acknowledged the communities they partner with.
“We accept this award on behalf of the rural communities who are the principal stewards of their environment,” said a spokesperson for the organization. “Our work is centered on the belief that for conservation to be effective, local populations must have ownership of and derive direct benefits from their natural resources.”
Founded in 1994, SAFIRE implements projects primarily in Zimbabwe’s Manicaland and Masvingo provinces. The organization works with local communities to develop sustainable income sources from non-timber forest products, such as wild fruits, honey, and medicinal plants. These initiatives are designed to provide economic alternatives to activities that can lead to deforestation and land degradation.
SAFIRE’s programs also include facilitating the establishment of community-based management plans for forests, assisting in fire prevention and management, and supporting local governance structures for environmental oversight. The organization reports that its projects aim to integrate indigenous knowledge with modern conservation science.
The recognition for SAFIRE occurs within the context of Zimbabwe’s national environmental framework. The government has outlined policies aimed at addressing deforestation, promoting sustainable agriculture, and conserving biodiversity, in line with its international commitments. Non-governmental organizations operate alongside government agencies and local authorities to implement projects at the community level.
Officials from the Manicaland Province awards committee stated that recipients were selected based on documented long-term impact, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to principles of environmental governance.
