Friends of Cuerama supports Fundação Cuerama in advancing education, health, conservation, and climate-resilient livelihoods led by rural communities and grounded in local knowledge.
Community-Led Change Rooted in Angola
Advancing global sustainability goals
Guided by the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and global biodiversity frameworks, Friends of Cuerama supports integrated, community-led initiatives across education, health, livelihoods, and environmental resilience.
In alignment with Angola’s commitments as a signatory to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), Fundação Cuerama embraces a community-driven approach to conservation and climate action.
We focus on advancing GBF targets that ease pressures on biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and reinforce nature’s role in supporting people’s livelihoods.
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Our integrated model advances four SGD-aligned pillars:
1. Education
Classrooms that spark lifelong learning.
2. Health
Primary care and preventive services within walking distance.
3. Entrepreneurship
Skills and micro-ventures that keep wealth in the village.
4. Environment
Stewardship that safeguards the land and sustains it all. -
Education & Community Knowledge
GBF 21: Ensure people have biodiversity awareness and access to information for sustainable lifestyles.
GBF 23: Strengthen capacity building and participation of women, youth, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities.
Health & WellbeingGBF 7: Reduce risks from hazardous pesticides by at least 50% through science-based, integrated pest management that supports food security and livelihoods.
GBF 11: Restore and maintain nature’s contributions to clean water, food security, and health.
Conservation & Community ActionGBF 2: Restore at least 30% of degraded ecosystems.
GBF 3 (30x30): Protect 30% of land and water by 2030.
GBF 10: Advance agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry practices that safeguard biodiversity and support local livelihoods.
Equity & Inclusion
GBF 22: Ensure participation and rights-based approaches, recognizing Indigenous and local communities.
GBF 23: Promote gender equality and leadership of women and girls in biodiversity action.
Our Board
Olga Albuquerque
Founder & President
Andrè Matias
Vice President
Isabel Pavão
Board Member
Marisa Rodrigues
Board Member
Matthew Jordan
Board Member
Advocacy in Action
At Friends of Cuerama first advocacy event in Washington, D.C. our Founder and President, Olga Albuquerque, shared the story of Cuerama, a rural village in Angola where community-led initiatives are shaping a future rooted in education, health, climate resilience, and nature-positive livelihoods.
The event highlighted the on-the-ground work of Fundação Cuerama, the power of local leadership, and the urgency of supporting underrepresented yet deeply resilient communities.
At the event, two initiatives were featured:
The Conservation Node
A hub for biodiversity protection, community training, and scientific research.
The Honey House
A nature-positive livelihood project that strengthens women’s income and ecological stewardship.
