In April 2025, Zoï announced a new collaboration with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) to support the update of the Ecosystem Profile for the Mountains of Central Asia. Building on the initial profile prepared with CEPF in 2016–2017 and the grant programme for civil society in 2019–2025, Zoï is contributing to Phase 2.0 of this global conservation initiative, which engages civil society across the region.

In 2016–2017, Zoï led a consultative process and prepared for the CEPF the Ecosystem Profile for the Mountains of Central Asia Biodiversity Hotspot. It documents the needs and priorities for conservation with the participation of civil society organizations.

Within the framework of the renewed partnership and in support of the International Day for Biodiversity celebrations in Central Asia, Zoï has prepared and facilitated consultations on the CEPF Ecosystem Profile update in Kyrgyzstan (thanks to Zoï’s long-term partner Kanybek), Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kazakhstan (Firuza, with support from Dina and Alexandra) and Turkmenistan (thanks to Merdan).

More than 300 stakeholders were contacted for the CEPF events through invitations, online surveys and outreach efforts. About 180 participants attended events in-person. The strong attendance and active participation reflect the interest of CSOs to contribute to the second phase of the CEPF grant programme.