Synchronicity Earth Protecting the ecological and biocultural integrity of the Congo Basin

The Congo Basin is home to Earth's second-largest rainforest – a globally significant ecosystem teeming with biodiversity and a critical pillar of planetary climate stability. The Congo Basin stores carbon equivalent to three years of global emissions, drives rainfall patterns across Africa, and provides livelihoods for 40 million people.

However, this critical landscape faces significant mounting threats: unprecedented deforestation to support agriculture and mining, illegal wildlife trade, and armed conflict. This is further compounded by insecure community land rights, and chronic underfunding for conservation.

Synchronicity Earth’s (SE) Congo Basin Pooled Fund supports cross-border conservation across Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Cameroon by working with local organizations on three interconnected priorities: resisting harmful developments, strengthening community land rights, and restoring ecosystems through regenerative approaches. 

Aerial view of a village in the rain forest where Synchronicity Earth works with partners
Synchronicity Earth - Globe with Text below

Our commitment

LGT Venture Philanthropy partners with Synchronicity Earth on the Congo Basin Programme through core funding and capacity development support to local implementors (referred to as partners).

Our engagement spans two areas:
 

Direct funding into the Congo Basin pooled fund

 

  • Flexible core funding to local partners to strengthen conservation impact
  • Support partners’ capacity development
     

Partnership 

  • Access to funding and knowledge networks
  • Connections to other partner organisations and external experts working in the community-led conservation space

Impact

In 2025

  • 664,000 hectares protected, including 439,000 hectares legally recognised as community forests managed by local communities.
  • 7 endemic and endangered species protected
  • 40k people trained in sustainable livelihoods and biodiversity management
  • 21 implementing partners onboarded
  • 9 policies/legislations supported to protect nature and community rights

Synchronicity Earth is thrilled to be entering a new collaborative funding partnership with LGT Venture Philanthropy. Our two organisations have many overlapping principles from providing flexible, multi-year funding to working with implementing partners to understand what support is needed to have impact and meet collective objectives. 
 

Gemma Goodmann Head of Research and Development, Senior Leadership Team
Gemma Goodmann

For more information

Learn more about how Synchronicity Earth works in the field