About
Organization
Elephant Aware Economy Goals
Why build an Elephant Aware Economy?
The Elephant Aware Economy initiative was established by the Ecoexist Trust ten years ago in an effort to tip the cost-benefit imbalance of living with elephants: increasing the value in elephants and realise opportunities that lie in the development of a sustainable, non-consumptive local economy for tangible benefit generation, at a household level, in communities sharing space and resources with the largest population of elephants on the planet. The Elephant Aware Economy is a collective of these innovative enterprises that, together, contribute an important driver of a local circular economy and job creation.
The initiative provides support in the form of policy and legislation facilitation, governance, management and financial capacity building, skills development opportunities, and agency services that help link enterprises to markets.
What is being Elephant Aware?
We would define Elephant Aware as being conscious of the value and importance of elephants in the landscape and in contributing to sustained economic opportunity at local and national levels, while also being aware of the risks and challenges of living with them, and participating in efforts to mitigate risks and find solutions to these challenges, in order to better coexist with them.
How Can You Help?
Investment
Donate funds or sponsor a project
Financial or In-Kind
Create Market for the goods and services avaiable within the Elephant Economy portfolio
Purchase Goods
Purchase goods from one of the enterprises showcased on our website by communicating with them directly
Support Services
Provide support services to our enterprises and farmers. For more information on how you can support, email us
ICT Support
Create an Identity with one of our enterprises and support them globally
Market Access
Provide market access to our enterprises within you area of influence
Elephant Economy Current Enterprises
Diyoveya Honey
Elephant Aware organic honey- bottled and produced in the Eastern Okavango Panhandle. Local farmers are using bees to protect their fields from elephants while also diversifying their livelihoods.
Seronga Craft Shop
An outlet for elephant aware artisans creating beautiful crafts in the Eastern Okavango Panhandle. Our crafts have a unique story which makes them special- elephants help us to sustainably harvest our materials and provide inspiration for our stunning designs!
Yikote Elephants
Producers of high-quality elephant patterned baskets based in Xaxao Village. Our intricately patterned elephant baskets are sought after locally and internationally.
Life with Elephants Tour Group
An Ecotourism enterprise based in Eretsha Village offering Elephant Aware cultural tours. Activities include mokoro rides, learning about Conservation Agriculture techniques, experiencing traditional dancing, donkey cart rides, visiting a local blacksmith and storytelling with the village elders.
