Making a meaningful impact

BiocultureGroup recognises the profound impact that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives can have on communities and the health of the planet. With a strong commitment to giving back and enhancing the well-being of vulnerable communities and the environment, we allocate 10% of the previous financial year’s profits – five times more than the yearly regulatory requirement in Mauritius – towards Social and Environmental projects. Mary Ann and Owen Griffiths, the cofounders, have direct oversight over the social and environmental initiatives of the group with the goal of Making a meaningful impact.

Over the years, Bioculture Group has developed strong and lasting ties with local communities in the southern region of Mauritius; collaborating towards a transformative endeavour for the benefit of the inhabitants. In order to reach the most vulnerable populations, we partner with a network consisting of more than 20 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) including some which handle projects at a national level.

To enhance and complement the on-the-ground expertise of our partner NGOs, Bioculture Group employs full time Program Officers as well as full time social workers. Together, they harness the human, material and financial resources to implement a variety of projects ranging from poverty alleviation, women empowerment, food security, education, substance abuse, health, sports, recycling and others.

In 2023, more than 2,000 people have directly benefited from the variety of social projects that the group has sponsored including facilitating the distribution of 4 tonnes of food each month.

Also in 2023, Bioculture Group has distributed approximately Rs 65 million [USD 1.5 million] to its various partner NGOs which run social and environmental programs that directly benefit local communities.

Environmental endeavours

The group is also committed to biodiversity conservation. Our founders established 3 separate Conservation entities in Mauritius (Ebony Forest and Francois Leguat Reserve) and Madagascar (Biodiversity Conservation Madagascar) for forest restoration and fauna conservation projects. The forests that these conservation organisations protect cover over 200 hectares in the Republic of Mauritius and 30,000 hectares in Madagascar, further creating full time employment for approximately 200 local staff.

Through these projects, Bioculture Group has directly contributed, with the support of some local and international co-funders, to the planting of a total of over 600,000 native trees. Ebony Forest’s conservation projects also play a critical role in the survival of 4 critically endangered Mauritian birds.

The projects of Biodiversity Conservation Madagascar not only concentrate on saving several lemur and tortoise species from extinction, but also entail important community projects concerning poverty alleviation, education, sanitation, nutrition amongst others.