1997

The DGOS Belgian Directorate for International Co-operation (DGIS) provided the initial financial support for a feasibility study, which was implemented in a temporary lab in Belgium.

1998

APOPO vzw was registered under the Belgian law as a non-commercial agency. APOPO tried out several breeding methods and training protocols in parallel approaches on different rodent species. One group of laboratory rats was trained to detect explosive samples by pressing levers from within a caged set-up; another group was taught to detect TNT samples hidden in a sandbox. APOPO also started to breed and socialize African Giant Pouched Rats imported from Tanzania and developed potential concepts for the use of these animals in mine-clearance.

2000

Promising results triggered the transfer of APOPO's operational base to Africa. This allowed training and testing of the animals in near-to-real conditions, and further product development in the cultural context. During the first half of 2000, APOPO established its premises and training area at the Sokoine University of Agriculture (SUA), in Morogoro, Tanzania. The choice of this location was a result of APOPO's collaboration with the Department of Biology of the University of Antwerp (UA), which had a long co-operation with SUA in the field of rodent research. With logistical support from the Tanzanian Peoples Defence Forces (TPDF), APOPO then established extensive training and test minefields. The project maintained its Belgian liaison office at the University of Antwerp.

2001

External evaluation by the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) was performed at the test and training fields at the Sokoine University of Agriculture. The feedback helped to identify areas of growth, and APOPO systematically improved its detection methodology using rats. As a result of the evaluation and efficacy of the programme GICHD also contracted APOPO to conduct research on Remote Explosive Scent Tracing (REST).

2003

APOPO was ready for its first field testing in a real demining scenario, and set up an operation in Mozambique. The first tests on a real mine field showed good results, which were published in the Journal for Mine Action, Issue 9.2 February 2006 (PDF file 200kb).

APOPO won the World Bank Development Marketplace Global Competition, which provided seeding capital for the Tuberculosis research program. (Trained Rats Sniff out TB, Land Mines in Tanzania & Rats Sniff Out TB)

2004

The first group of 11 rats passed official licensing tests according to the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS) under supervision of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining (GICHD) and the National Institute for Demining in Mozambique (IND). The IND granted APOPO's Mine Detection Rats operational accreditation.

Ceramic artist, Anita Huybens, created 1000 ceramic poppies for display at a historical site in Belgium. This 'klaprozen project' was the start of the most inspiring and successful fundraising campaign for APOPO.

2005

APOPO started the HeroRAT campaign and began building a citizen-based support mechanism through the HeroRAT adoption program.

2006

APOPO started a fully integrated mine-clearance operation in Mozambique, accredited by the National Institute for Demining in Mozambique (IND). This includes manual deminers, Mine Detection Rats and a mechanical capacity for ground preparation.

The Heads of State of the 11 Great Lakes Region Countries (ICGLR) signed a pact for security, stability and development in the region. APOPO was endorsed by the ICGLR as the lead agency and regional capacity for Mine Action in the Great Lakes Region.

2007

APOPO is endorsed by ASHOKA, innovators for the public.

The Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship recognizes APOPO as an outstanding social enterprise, which provides access to the networks of the World Economic Forum.

2008

APOPO Mine Action Program is tasked by the National Institute for Demining in Mozambique (IND) as the sole operators for Gaza province, Mozambique.

APOPO consolidates its strategic plan.

APOPO provides proof of principle to utilize trained rats for the detection of pulmonary TB in human sputum. A poster is presented at the IUATLD conference in Paris, and a manuscript is accepted for publication in the International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease.

2009

HRH Princess Astrid of Belgium commits to the honorary presidency of APOPO.

APOPO is awarded the prestigious Skoll Award for social entrepreneurship at the Skoll World Forum in Oxford.