CAFRINAT is an international center of excellence for African Great Lakes Natural Capital and was founded at the Faculty of Bio-Science Engineering of Ghent University. The general research, education and societal goals of CAFRINAT focus on the sustainable management of natural capital in areas of conflict in the Great Lakes region of Africa.
CAFRINAT uses an interdisciplinary thematic approach to connect all relevant disciplinary knowledge at Ghent University. Through cooperation with academic and non-academic partners in the African Great Lakes region and around the globe, the network unites and expands upon a diverse base of regional and international expertise to face the challenges that lie ahead.
CAFRINAT has formed a truly cross-disciplinary network to help achieve the following long-term goals:
The African Great Lakes region faces huge challenges in the management and governance of Natural Capital, because of: 1) strong direct dependence on natural resources for local livelihood, 2) high population numbers (increase), 3) a context of violent conflict, 4) vulnerability to climate change, 5) rapid loss of flagship species, 6) inadequate research infrastructures coupled with poor incentive-based resource governance mechanisms, and 7) an underdeveloped base of knowledge, research and training capacity.
The term Natural Capital refers to the stock of renewable and non-renewable ecosystem resources that combine to yield a flow of benefits (e.g. clean water, energy, food, medicine, climate regulation, recreation) to people. Natural capital is one of the recognized forms of capital, alongside financial, manufactured, social and relationship, human, and intellectual capital and forms the basis for other types of capital by providing essential resources that support a healthy sustainable planet and underpin thriving societies and prosperous economies.