A memorandum of understanding between the government of Mozambique through the Ministry for Coordination of Environmental Affairs (MICOA) and the Foundation for Sustainable Amazonas (FAS) signed in 2009 laid the ground for a multi-partner ollaborative initiative designated South–South REDD: A Brazil–Mozambique Initiative for Zero Deforestation with Pan-African Relevance. The aim of this initiative was to create the conditions under which Mozambique is able to embark on the implementation of REDD+.

The initiative was funded by the government of Norway.