This was during the fourth session of the Steering Committee for the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects –Ecological Transition, FSPI-TE, was held in Yaoundé recently.
Climate stakeholders have reviewed the progress of climate-related initiatives and strategized to complete outstanding activities before the July 2025 deadline. This was during the fourth session of the Steering Committee for the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects –Ecological Transition, FSPI-TE, was held in Yaoundé recently. Organized by the Solidarity Fund for Innovative Projects Ecological and Transition, the session took place at the Ministry of Decentralization and Local Development’s conference hall and was chaired by Secretary General, Fred Ebongue Makolle.
The meeting brought together members of the FSPI-TE Steering Committee, officials from the French Embassy, and representatives of various civil society organizations. In his opening remarks, Makolle commended the French Embassy for its sustained collaboration, underscoring that ecological transition remains “a top priority for our planet.” He stressed the vital role of local authorities in tackling environmental challenges such as flooding, deforestation, and waste management.
“Decentralized local authorities are pivotal in implementing public policies and strategies for environmental protection,” Makolle said. He highlighted the dual responsibility of local officials in both climate mitigation and adaptation, calling for full citizen participation to ensure success. As the FSPI-TE initiative nears its conclusion in July 2025, Project Coordinator Constantin Nzati outlined major achievements and outstanding challenges.
“With €180,000 mobilized, equivalent to around 120 million FCFA, we have supported eight innovative projects in areas such as organic farming, biodiversity conservation, recycling, and environmental protection,” Nzati reported. Since its inception, the FSPI-TE project has prioritized the empowerment of local civil society organizations, CSOs. To date, 103 Cameroonian CSOs have benefited from training and support. “We started with awareness campaigns, followed by training, and now several organizations are implementing tangible field projects,” Nzati added.
He noted the importance of upcoming evaluations, with an internal review already underway and an independent external evaluation scheduled to assess the project’s long-term impact. One of the key challenges, Nzati explained, is the capitalization of achievements, ensuring that best practices and lessons learned are documented and disseminated widely.
Anaëlle Roucou, Attaché for Cooperation at the French Embassy, reaffirmed France’s support for Cameroon’s ecological transition and praised the high level of community involvement. “The project mobilized over 14 partners and engaged participants from all 10 regions of Cameroon. While not every region hosted activities, all were represented,” she stated.
Roucou cited successful grassroots initiatives in rural areas such as Yabassi and Ebogo, as well as the project’s wide reach: “Approximately 180,000 people across Cameroon were sensitized through radio broadcasts, webinars, and awareness campaigns.” She also announced the upcoming publication of two key documents: “A Guide of Good Practicesand a Capitalization Booklet”, which will serve as reference materials for future environmental projects.
As the FSPI-TE project enters its final phase, the session was both reflective and forward-looking. Participants acknowledged the significant progress made, while emphasizing that the project’s enduring legacy will depend on its ability to inspire further action and replication nationwide.
