In December 2019 Parceval responded to a call for Expressions of Interest from BioInnovation Africa. BioInnovation Africa, commissioned by the BMZ within the context of the German Marshall Plan with Africa, supports the African and European private sector in developing mutually beneficial business partnerships based on high ethical, social and environmental standards, including equitable benefit-sharing and the sustainable  use of Africa’s genetic resources.

The initial phase of the project will support initiatives in four African countries – South Africa, Namibia, Madagascar, and Cameroon. The intention of the support is to implement ABS frameworks in accordance with Nagoya Protocol (regulatory); support ethical BioTrade and sustainable use (biodiversity conservation); foster biodiversity based innovations and products (biodiversity-based value chain) and provide proof of principle of successful North-South partnerships (advocacy).

Parceval submitted 5 applications with 4 European partners and after much internal discussion with the BioInnovation Africa team and between them and their South African partners, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE), we are in the final stages of having some approved.

We will be sharing more in the coming weeks…