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The Greater Addo-Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node (GAABEN) is excited to announce that applications to be part of its SMME Incubation Programme are now open. The programme is geared towards empowering local business owners venturing into and aspiring to venture into biodiversity-based businesses. It is also in line with South African National Parks’ Vision 2040s strategic pillar that speaks to inclusive economic growth. Such initiatives seek to empower local enterprises, reducing market access barriers and ensuring equitable benefit sharing whilst creating sustainable livelihoods.

The Addo–Amathole Biodiversity Economy project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF 7) with South African National Parks (SANParks) leading the project implementation in the Eastern Cape wherein the GAABEN is established. The project aims to create a thriving biodiversity economy that benefits local communities, promotes sustainable development and enhances the region’s natural assets. Indalo Inclusive South Africa has been appointed to design and implement an SMME incubation and mentorship programme for a period of 18 months, provide provisional grant funding and offer training workshops. This is a non-profit company, promoting entrepreneurship for sustainable development in Southern Africa through training programmes for eco-inclusive enterprises and aspiring entrepreneurs.

This supplier development initiative is designed to identify and support 20 enterprises in the Biodiversity Economy in the Wildlife, Tourism, Marine, Forestry and Bioprospecting sectors.

Various eligibility criteria apply. The first is that the enterprise must be based in or serve communities within the Addo-Amathole Biodiversity Economy Node, which includes the following municipalities – Amahlathi LM, Buffalo City Metro, Makana LM, Ngqushwa LM, Raymond Mhlaba LM, Sundays River LM, Ndlambe LM, Blue Crane LM and Nelson Mandela Bay. The enterprise should deliver social, environmental and economic benefits or impacts as well as have the intention and potential to create and sustain new local jobs.

Women, people living with disabilities and youth-led enterprises are encouraged to apply.  Applicants should be willing to commit to sustainability, environmental impact and inclusive growth in the biodiversity economy in one of the biodiversity sub-sectors: wildlife, tourism, marine, forestry and bioprospecting. They should also be willing to commit to the entire 18-month incubation period.

Online application can be done via https://forms.gle/HmxoHEMDZqckw3928 and close on Friday 5 September 2025.

This call for applications comes as SANParks prepares to host its inaugural Vision 2040 Indaba in Gqeberha from 3 to 5 September 2025. This event marks a crucial moment that is geared to realise a co-owned inclusive, future-oriented and transformative conservation agenda.

The Vision 2040 Indaba will bring together key stakeholders across government, farming communities, academia, civil society, sponsors, donors, the private sector, land claimant communities, conservation partners and youth representatives. The Indaba is intended to foster meaningful dialogue and forge collaborative actions that will advance the implementation of Vision 2040 – a bold strategy that advocates for a people-centred, conservation-driven agenda that will ensure collaborative thrivability between biodiversity conservation, social justice and economic empowerment.