Additional Information
Biography
Fundação Maio Biodiversidade (FMB) is a nature conservation NGO on Maio Island, Cabo Verde. During its 10+ years of existence, FMB has reduced turtle poaching by 85%, increasing their numbers tenfold. Cabo Verde is now the most important nesting location for the species globally. Beyond the protection of this charismatic species, FMB protects 35,939.55 ha of land and sea through a Protected Area management plan, and contributed to Maio becoming a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. Embedded in the local community, FMB created the “Guardians of the Sea,” a group of volunteer fishermen that has reported > 240 infractions over the past four years (especially valuable since Maio has only one fisheries inspector for 80km of coastline). The Guardians of the Sea programme has now been replicated on 4 other islands in Cabo Verde. Aiming to combine nature conservation with opportunities for local communities where unemployment is high, FMB created a sustainable tourism scheme that the government has chosen to replicate throughout the country. With 90+ remunerated team members, FMB is also the largest employer on Maio. For this work, FMB was awarded a Medal of Honour from the President of the Republic of Cabo Verde in 2023.
FMB is proud to collaborate with INSEAD. Together with Profs. Ella Miron-Spektor and Ithai Stern, Dr Elisa Dierickx wrote a multi-part, multi-disciplinary case on Maio and FMB, supported by Virtual Reality movies. This case was used for Master Strategist Day, and continues to be taught to MBAs and Executive MBAs multiple times a year.
