Nature Friendly for Development (NAFRIDE)
MAZINGIRA RAFIKI KWA MAENDELEO — "Empowering Local Communities for Sustainable Growth"
Growing forests.
Growing futures.
NAFRIDE is a newly registered organization (Reg No. 00NGO/R/3729) set to work directly alongside rural and pastoral communities in Tanzania — protecting natural resources and building household livelihoods that depend on them, with a "do-it-ourselves" approach to lasting solutions from day one.
Who we are
A field-based organization built on a "do-it-ourselves" approach.
NAFRIDE is a non-political, non-religious, field-based organization with a direct touch to conservation. We work day-to-day with local communities so they become conservators of nature and the livelihoods that are interconnected with the natural resources at their disposal.
We act as a synchronizer between local and international conservation initiatives, favouring long-lasting, community-owned solutions to human–wildlife conflict and environmental destruction — while honouring people's short-term economic needs alongside conservation as an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection.
Our core values guide every program: professionalism, transparency, timeliness, value for money, accountability, objective audits and control — built through inclusive, participatory processes that respect positive traditional norms and culture.
Vision
Communities within thriving ecosystems
To have communities that are happy, healthy, safe and freer from poverty within fully-functioning ecosystems.
Mission
Conservation that pays for itself
To maximize incentives from conservation by introducing alternatives to the exhaustive use of natural resources — fighting household poverty while keeping ecosystems safe for fauna, flora, and as a reliable source of income for communities and government alike.
Core values
Seven principles that hold us accountable.
Every activity NAFRIDE runs — in the field, in the office, or with partners — is measured against these values.
Our work
Five clusters, one goal: land and people that sustain each other.
Each cluster has a dedicated in-charge who works directly with communities to identify challenges, opportunities, and follow-up action in that thematic area.
Education, Health, Information, Water & Sanitation
Improving access to schooling, health information, clean water and sanitation infrastructure at household and village level.
Gender — Women & the Elderly
Advancing women's rights and political participation, property rights for widows, and dignity and support for elderly community members.
Youth, Empowerment, Entrepreneurship & Sports
Building skills for self-employment, small business formation, and sports programs that keep youth engaged in rural community life.
Environment, Natural Resources & Outreach Interventions
Protecting wildlife habitats and water points, resolving human–wildlife conflict, and promoting sustainable land use and Blue & Green Economy practices.
Animal Husbandry, Pastures, Culture & Ethics
Supporting sustainable pastoralism and land-use planning, and restoring traditional environmental laws and heritage alongside statutory ones.
How we work
Self-help initiatives, owned locally from the start.
Our perception of self-help is to create a strong sense of local belonging to both the solutions and their implementation — while working hand in hand with partners throughout the life span of the process until the target is achieved.
Listen & sensitize
We sit with communities to discuss challenges, obstacles and opportunities, and build a shared sense of ownership over solutions.
Stimulate self-help
Programs stimulate people to own the solutions to their own problems, with partners walking alongside them for the whole journey.
Follow up & sustain
Cluster in-charges make continuous follow-ups, linking communities to local and international partners for lasting impact.
Governance
How NAFRIDE is governed.
The General Meeting is the paramount decision-making organ, composed of all members, and it elects the Executive Committee (Office Bearers) to run the organization between meetings.
Membership
Three ways to belong.
Open to Tanzanian nationals and residents aged 18 and above who support NAFRIDE's vision, mission and objectives.
Founder Members
Made the initial efforts to form the organization and signed the founding instrument.
Ordinary Members
Join the organization following its registration.
Honorary Members
Recognized for outstanding support; hold all member rights except voting or office.
Get involved
Four ways to help us build from the ground up.
As a newly registered NGO, NAFRIDE is sustained by membership fees, fundraising, and donations and grants from local and international partners — early support goes directly into standing up our first programs.
Become a Member
Join as one of our first Ordinary Members if you're 18+ and share our vision, mission and objectives.
Apply nowDonate
Seed funding to launch our clusters' first activities in the communities we'll be serving.
Give todayVolunteer
Help shape a cluster from the start in the field, or share professional skills remotely.
Get in touchPartner
Local and international institutions can help launch any of our five clusters as a founding partner.
Start a conversationContact
Let's talk about how you can help.
Whether you're a donor, volunteer, prospective member, or potential partner — we'd love to hear from you.
P.O. Box 400, Babati, Manyara — Tanzania