The preparation of the Socotra Conservation Fund (SCF) started in 1999 and involved all relevant stakeholders in Socotra and it's capital Sana'a. Many lessons were learned during this time, including the realization that the SCF had to be independent from any direct government influence, so as to attract alternative small and large scale donor funding. However, it was also critical for the SCF to have genuine Yemeni involvement at all levels, to be able to operate in the country effectively, with both political and public support.

SCF Strategy

On the basis of experience gained, and after a new round of consultation with all stakeholders in the year 2001-2002, it was agreed that the best strategy for the establishment of the Socotra Conservation Fund entailed the following steps:

• Establish the SCF abroad as an independent non-government organization or charity with the involvement of highly reputed Yemeni and international individuals and non-government organizations. The SCF would be set-up in a country with a favorable legislation and stable currency.
• After the establishment of the SCF abroad, this new entity would register in Yemen like any other international NGO, and work in the country under tax free status.
• Initially, the SCF would take advantage of the installed capacity of the Socotra Biodiversity Project, and have (a) an executive team in Socotra, and (b) a representation in Sana'a at the new SCDP coordination unit (Ministry of Planning).
• At the start, all the SCF executive team in Yemen would work on a voluntary basis, with all operational costs covered by the SBP for the first year.
• The SCF would aim at supporting very small scale initiatives, to be proposed and implemented by the local communities, which fall within the mission and objectives of the SCF.
• Given the present very limited capacity of the local communities, the initial focus of the SCF would be on capacity building initiatives, mostly through "learning by doing".

Implementation of the strategy

Setting-up of the SCF abroad was a key to the whole process. Ideally, all the internationally-based people involved in work on Socotra, and who are interested in its long-term conservation and sustainable development, would have a lot to contribute and needed to be involved from the start, together with genuinely interested Yemenis.

For more information please contact: scdp@y.net.ye