Conseil d’Administration

Role of the Board of Directors

The Board of Directors is the supreme governing body of FSOA. It is responsible for the diligent and prudent management of the Foundation, its activities, and the achievement of its objectives, as well as ensuring compliance with applicable regulations and the Foundation’s governing documents. The Board is independent and composed of both public and private representatives. It delegates the day-to-day management of the Foundation to an Executive Director (ED), who is supported by technical and financial staff as well as consultants when necessary.

Composition of the Board of Directors

As the main decision-making body of FSOA, the Board of Directors is composed of representatives from:

• Civil society
• The private tourism sector
• The banking sector
• The legal sector
• An expert in protected areas
• The Ministry in charge of protected areas
• A Technical and Financial Partner (KfW)
• The Government of Benin (Ministry of Finance) – Founding Member
• An international conservation NGO (IUCN) – Founding Member

Functioning of the Board

• Each Founding Member appoints one Director, who may be the member themselves.

• Together, the Members appoint the other Directors, ensuring that at least two Beninese nationals are always part of this group of Directors representing the private sector and the scientific community. These Directors must have recognized experience in biodiversity conservation, law, business, non-profit management, or fundraising.

• The appointment and replacement of Directors 3 to 9 are decided by a simple majority vote of the existing Members, upon proposal by the Members and/or the Directors.

• All Directors serve for a maximum term of six years.

• Directors 3 to 9 are initially appointed for a three-year term. At the end of this period, the Members will decide on the replacement of at least three Directors.