The TFCA Network


The SADC TFCA Network is a platform that brings together stakeholders involved in transboundary conservation and sustainable development across the SADC region. It serves as a collaborative mechanism to facilitate knowledge exchange, capacity building, and joint initiatives among governments, conservation agencies, NGOs, private sector players, and local communities.

Key Objectives of the SADC TFCA Network:

  1. Enhancing Regional Collaboration – Strengthening cooperation among SADC member states in managing transboundary natural resources.
  2. Capacity Building & Knowledge Sharing – Providing a platform for exchanging best practices, training, and technical expertise on TFCA management.
  3. Policy Support & Advocacy – Assisting in the development and harmonization of policies and legal frameworks for effective TFCA governance.
  4. Community Involvement & Livelihoods – Promoting community-based natural resource management (CBNRM) to ensure local benefits from TFCAs.
  5. Biodiversity Conservation & Climate Resilience – Supporting ecosystem connectivity, wildlife migration corridors, and climate adaptation strategies.
  6. Sustainable Tourism & Economic Development – Encouraging eco-tourism and conservation-friendly enterprises that contribute to regional economies.

How It Operates:

  • The network functions as a voluntary, member-driven group, guided by SADC’s TFCA Programme.
  • It holds workshops, forums, and training events to facilitate cross-border collaboration.
  • The network supports joint research, funding mobilization, and conflict resolution in shared conservation areas.
  • Members include government agencies, conservation NGOs, academic institutions, and local community representatives

In 2014 the TFCA Network launched this internet based knowledge hub to enable SADC TFCA practitioners to share information, experiences and knowledge. Currently this intranet is the only one in the sub region on TFCAs. The TFCA website or portal and offers a range of functions including. a resource repository, member database, online calendar feeds, relevant news, job and funding opportunoties, an image data base, maps and much more.  The TFCA Network developed a public information website on all TFCAs and their development launched at 17th Conference of the Parties to Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES COP17)) in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2016. The interactive portal provides and invites the wider audience to view, share and discuss TFCA related information. The site includes general TFCA information, online tools and offers access to the general public, tourists and TFCA practitioners.
There is a vibrant whatsapp group which shares information and by March 2025 had 500 members from across the region and sectors.  
Funds permitting, the TFCA Network holds an annual in-perosn meeting to enable professionals working in the sector to meet, share progresss and find partners to address challanges. 
During the COVID lock downs the TFCA Network arranged a webinar series which is available on our SADC TFCA Network YouTube account along with recordings of wedbinars held over the years.
To become a member of the SADC TFCA  Network you can apply to be a member on our homepage or contact the Network Coordinator. 

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Want your content to reach a community of like-minded professionals? We welcome contributions from all members of the transfrontier conservation community.
  • Publish your news on our site
  • Add an event to the calendar
  • Join the TFCA Network
  • Share your research
  • Advertise your jobs
  • Feature your event in the gallery
  • Submit a link