A Rocha Worldwide Strategy
2030
A Rocha is a global family of Christian nature conservation organizations founded in 1983. In 2024 we agreed a global strategy with a bold vision for significant growth in impact, reach, engagement and presence around the world.
Four
Strategic priorities
Priority one
Increase our conservation impact
Priority two
Strengthen our engagement with Christian communities
Priority three
Increase the participation of younger generations in our work
Priority four
Expand the geographical reach of the Worldwide Family
Priority one
Increase our conservation impact
Key results
- Area of land or sea designated for nature governed with contribution of A Rocha
- Number of species benefiting from the work of A Rocha that are globally, regionally or nationally threatened, or the subject of our focal work
- Number of participants who gained nature positive knowledge and attitudes, and changed behaviour, through A Rocha’s environmental education
Priority two
Strengthen our engagement with Christian communities
Key results
- Number of A Rocha Organizations leading programmes to engage churches in practical creation care as an expression of Christian discipleship and mission
- Number of churches engaging in practical creation care as an expression of their discipleship and mission whether in A Rocha countries, via the Friends of A Rocha network or directly engaging with A Rocha International
- Number of partnerships with theological institutions and networks integrating creation care into their core curriculum and mission
Priority three
Increase the participation of younger generations in our work
Key results
- Number of people under 35 on staff or volunteering, with greater involvement in decision-making
- Number of campaigns or programmes designed to engage younger generations in conservation efforts, climate change and environmental advocacy
- Number of strategic partnerships with youth organizations who agree to integrate further the message of creation care into their discipleship
Priority four
Expand the geographical reach of the Worldwide Family
Key results
- Number of new A Rocha Organizations in priority biodiversity regions• Prioritizing first SE Asia and then Latin and South America• Aiming for 30 AROs by 2030
- Number of continents with field centres (aiming for at least one per region)
- Number of ‘Friends of A Rocha’ groups and collaborative partnerships with A Rocha Organizations
Global programmes
We believe A Rocha’s Global Programmes are key to increasing our impact and reach.
Global Programmes are an important way of collaborating as the A Rocha Worldwide Family to deliver our shared mission. They enable us to achieve greater scale for our interventions and to attract resources and partnerships that might otherwise be unavailable to us. They represent areas in which we are taking leadership and clearly demonstrate our focus of work. Global Programmes communicate our capacity to deliver, showcasing our approach and enhancing our reputation.
Global Programmes also provide a forum for sharing our learning, best practice, expertise and resources across our network, allowing transfer of learning and expertise from one part of the network to another. They increase coherence and efficiency in what we do and our sense of a shared mission. They provide context for building capacity and can encourage generosity and accountability as we work together.
Each programme benefits from a dedicated steering group with wide representation, guided by clear Terms of Reference. This structure helps us strengthen collaboration, ensure strategic alignment, and support shared accountability. Additionally, we are committed to every programme undergoing a review every five years to reflect on impact, capture learning, and inform future direction.
The current programmes are The Marine Conservation Programme, The African Forest Programme and The Climate Change Programme.
Further programmes under consideration include an environmental education programme and a creation care theology in seminaries programme.
Five
Strategic enablers
Our strategic priorities are our most important areas of shared work. Enablers are the key activities which will support us in achieving our priorities. They are about the impact and direction of our work. It is now beholden on the family, led and facilitated by A Rocha International, to implement the enablers.
Enabler one
Implement a structure to build organizational capacity and resilience
Enabler two
Nurture relationships, mutual support and mentoring
Enabler three
Cross pollination
Enabler four
Develop funding plans aligned with the Strategic Priorities
Enabler five
Strengthen our internal communications
Enabler one
Implement a structure to build organizational capacity and resilience
The A Rocha Worldwide Family will enhance its effectiveness by empowering its members to address challenges involving (but not limited to) external communications, financial management, fundraising, science, staff and director succession planning, training, reporting, compliance with standards and laws and the improvement of administrative, IT and operational systems.
In support of this enabler, we will focus on the following key areas:
- A new capacity building, resilience and development approach, including streamlined reporting systems, a set of organizational assessment and capacity building tools, and bespoke support.
- Monitoring & Evaluation: we constantly need to improve our understanding of the difference made by our conservation work. We aim for more transparent use of evidence in determining our actions, and greater collection of evidence to test our actions.
- Safeguarding (protection of children and adults at risk): all A Rocha Organizations to comply with the standards agreed at the 2025 A Rocha Leaders’ Forum.
Enabler two
Nurture relationships, mutual support and mentoring
Recognizing the interconnectedness between our faith, conservation efforts and the well-being of individuals, the A Rocha Worldwide Family prioritizes the development and sustenance of meaningful connections. Through mutual support and mentoring relationships, we aim to create a safe and compassionate space for individuals to explore their faith, reflect on their work and seek solace during challenging times. By tending to the spiritual needs of our community, in Christ’s love we strengthen our resilience, deepening our commitment to our mission and fostering a sense of belonging within the A Rocha family.
In support of this enabler, we will focus on the following key areas:
- At least two A Rocha Worldwide Family prayer times each year.
- The Oikos Network and A Rocha Conservation Certificate provide opportunities for mentorship and training for A Rocha staff, trustees and volunteers.
- We will develop a mentor/peer-to-peer support programme.
Enabler three
Cross pollination
Collaboration is one of our core commitments. As we strive to define and achieve our shared vision, we will actively seek opportunities to exchange experiences, knowledge and resources among A Rocha Worldwide Family members. In doing so, we will emphasize the lesser-known achievements of our global efforts and celebrate cultural diversity within the Worldwide Family. Our goal is to make sure our conservation efforts last, help communities adapt to climate change, and reduce poverty and inequality.
In support of this enabler, we will focus on the following key areas:
- Creating online spaces to exchange experiences, knowledge and resources, such as the A Rocha Resource Hub, Slack, the Hive (our intranet) and A Rocha Learning.
- Collaborative groups for specialists in areas such as science, theology, communications, HR, finance, safeguarding / protection and environmental education.
- Improve the definition and development of Global Programmes.
Enabler four
Develop funding plans aligned with the Strategic Priorities
Creating funding plans corresponding to the strategic priorities and programmes is an essential part of our operational framework. Developing priority-based funding plans will also help us obtain the resources required to execute impactful projects, build cooperative relationships and ensure long-term sustainability, without conflicting with the specific financial requirements of any A Rocha Worldwide Family member.
In support of this enabler, we will focus on the following key areas:
- ‘Institutional+’ fundraising, aiming to find funding for multi-country programmes and projects. Landing more grants of over $150,000 USD will involve improving our project cycle management and monitoring and evaluation practice.
- Develop our skills on donor journeys, as well as fundraising from individual and corporate donors.
- Further selling of our services and intellectual property.
Enabler five
Strengthen our internal communications
Our approach to sharing information within the A Rocha Worldwide Family should mirror the collaborative nature of our work. To achieve this, we will assess and, if necessary, improve our current methods, processes and systems. We will also be open to creating new ones tailored to the unique needs of the family.
In support of this enabler, we will focus on the following key areas:
- We will carry out a comprehensive review of our internal communications in 2025. The results will be shared with the family and lead to an agreed action plan to strengthen our internal communications.
A note about growth
Our goal is 30 A Rocha organizations by 2030, with a strategic priority of new organizations in Southeast Asia and Latin America due to the high biodiversity and number of Christians in these regions. At the end of 2024, there were 22 A Rocha Organizations.
By 2030 we aim to see the Friends of A Rocha network reaching 45 members. We see the Friends network as an important way of identifying and growing potential new A Rocha Organizations. We plan to be more intentional in working with existing and future Friends with this in mind.
Key:
  Friends of A Rocha
  A Rocha Organizations