Biodiversity Challenge Funds

📣 Applications to Round 5 of #DarwinPlus Local are now OPEN! Are you in the #UKOverseasTerritories and have an idea for a small scale environmental project that aims to improve outcomes for biodiversity, #buildcapacity in-territory and contribute to the local economy? 🐠 ✍️ Apply now! 🔗 https://loom.ly/YCUkQh0 📆 Applications is Monday 25 November 2024. Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs JNCC #UKOT #UKOTs #environmentalprojects #fundingannouncement #BiodiversityFunding #ConservationFunding #ConservationGrants #BiodiversityFinance

🌿Community forests can play a crucial role in protecting biodiversity. While their role in increasing forest cover and improving rural livelihoods is well recognized, their potential to support and strengthen #biodiversity conservation is yet to be fully explored. Across 28 community forests in Thailand, biodiversity monitoring is being integrated into forest management plans. Communities have agreed on a simplified method for assessing and monitoring biodiversity that can provide community forest users with data on biological resources. Could the documented information lead to opportunities for community forests to become recognized under OECMs? 👉🏾https://lnkd.in/d8-56P5V #PeaceWithNature #socialforestry #climateaction 

The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate is recruiting new members for its Evidence Advisory Group! 📢     Find out more about the role and apply below ⬇️

𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐛𝐲 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐚𝐧-𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐩𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐟𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐭 Aaranyak has supported 17 beneficiaries who are among people affected by human-elephant conflict #hec from #WestGaroHills of Meghalaya, with around 95 kgs of #yarns recently at a function held in Bordubi L.P. School premise. These beneficiaries have received #training on use of these yarns for their individual economic uplift from an expert organised by #Aaranyak earlier. Aaranyak in partnership with the British Asian Trust, supported by #DarwinInitiative Biodiversity Challenge Funds, has been working towards promotion of human-elephant #coexistence by empowering local communities in eastern Assam and West Garo Hills of Meghalaya. This event was facilitated by Aaranyak’s Anjan Baruah, Nipul Chakma, Swapan Kumar Das, Ripunjoy Nath, Subash Ch. Rabha and Bijoy Kalita. Elephant Family

🚨 Today is the LAST DAY TO APPLY for the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWT) Challenge Fund! Head to the #IWT Challenge Fund website to apply now ➡️ https://loom.ly/FQrawrQ Applications close at 11:59 PM (BST/ GMT) ⌛ #IWTCF #IllegalWildlifeTrade #BiodiversityFunding #ConservationFunding #ConservationGrants #WildlifeConservation

Grateful for the opportunity to present our Defra Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund (IWTCF) project at CBD COP16 in Cali, Colombia. Our project emphasises the critical role of engaging with local communities in protecting biodiversity. A key pillar of our work explores messaging strategies to reduce demand for illegal wildlife trade products at both national and local levels. By shifting the narrative from legality to highlighting the impacts on animal welfare, conservation, and public health, we can drive meaningful change. To learn more about our research findings, check out our local insights here https://lnkd.in/eDyeMeZa. Biodiversity Challenge Funds I World Animal Protection UK I Sociedad Peruana de Derecho Ambiental

Strengthening the Fight Against Illegal Wildlife Trade in the Greater Virunga Landscape Today, we proudly launch a transformative project dedicated to curbing the global threat of illegal wildlife trade (IWT) across the Greater Virunga Landscape (GVL). This initiative brings together our partners GVTC, IGCP, TRAFFIC, WCS, WWF (DRC, Uganda, and UK), alongside key stakeholders like ICCN, RDB, UWA, Immigration Departments, Prosecution Agencies, and Local Communities, to enhance their capacity, capability, and coordination in protecting this vital biodiversity hotspot. By promoting standardized monitoring systems, tools, and cross-border collaboration, we are taking decisive steps to detect, prevent, and reduce IWT activities across the GVL. Our vision is clear: stable wildlife populations and improved well-being for local communities in the region. This project is a significant stride toward a future where wildlife and people coexist in harmony, supported by robust systems and unified efforts. A big thanks to our beloved Donors, Biodiversity Challenge Funds and all our partners and stakeholders for your unwavering commitment to making this initiative a reality. Together, we will make a difference. Dervla Dowd Paul Hatanga Wildlife Conservation Society Ivan Ndyareeba Happy Ali WWF-UK

❄️🐆 It's #InternationalSnowLeopardDay! Today, we celebrate the incredible work of #WildlifeRangers who protect #snowleopards & other species in the snow leopard range. This year, ranger recognition ceremonies took place in Mongolia, Pakistan, and Kyrgyzstan, all under the Illegal Wildlife Trade (IWC) Challenge Fund - Biodiversity Challenge Funds. Here’s a glimpse of these remarkable events: Pakistan: The inaugural Pakistan Wildlife Protection Awards occurred on July 31, 2024, at PNCA in Islamabad. It honored the guardians of Pakistan’s biodiversity. Hosted by Snow Leopard Foundation, with support from MoCC&EC & Snow Leopard Trust, the ceremony recognized the brave efforts of rangers combating #illegalwildlifetrade. Six individuals received awards for their significant contributions, including the prestigious #SnowLeopardAward. This event underscored the urgent need for conservation amidst challenges like illegal wildlife trade and habitat loss. Mongolia: On #EarthDay, Ulaanbaatar hosted a ceremony to honor rangers from snow leopard habitats across the country. With 19 rangers awarded, the event highlighted their dedication to safeguarding wildlife in challenging terrains. Organized by the Snow Leopard Conservation Foundation in Mongolia and supported by MET and the Mongolian Rangers Association, the ceremony featured speeches from honored guests, including ambassadors, SLN’s Executive Director Bayarjargal Agvaantseren, Koustubh Sharma, and cultural performances, uniting tradition with the spirit of conservation. Kyrgyzstan: The 10th annual Ranger Rewards Ceremony took place on #WorldWildlifeDay in Bishkek, recognizing 23 rangers & citizens for their efforts in fighting poaching. Since the program's start, 112 rangers and community members have been honored for their vital role in protecting snow leopards and wild mountain ungulates. Hosted by the Snow Leopard Foundation in Kyrgyzstan and supported by Snow Leopard Trust UKAID, Woodland Park Zoo, Toronto Zoo, KCS Pacific Foundation & Whitley Fund for Nature this event celebrated the relentless dedication of those on the front lines of conservation. These ceremonies highlight the unwavering dedication of rangers across the snow leopard range, whose efforts are vital in preserving these landscapes and their species. Keep tuned to meet the awardees! #SnowLeopardDay #DarwinInitiative #SnowLeopardConservation #WildlifeProtection #RangerRecognition #ConservationHeroes #Mongolia #Pakistan #Kyrgyzstan #IWTCF #ProtectNature #NatureConservation

It's time to pick up the pace! ⏱️ Applications for the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund close next week! We welcome applications from projects that reduce pressure on #wildlife 🦏 from #IllegalTrade, and in doing so, reduce #poverty in developing countries. 📉🌎 📆 Applications close on Monday 28 October 23:59 BST/ GMT. Apply now! ➡️ https://loom.ly/FQrawrQ Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs #IWTCF #BiodiversityConservation #BiodiversityFunding #ConservationFunding #ConservationGrants #WildlifeConservation #IllegalWildlifeTrade

We are proud to share that the Living Reefs Foundation (LRF) has been awarded a grant from the Biodiversity Challenge Funds Darwin Plus Local Fund (U.K. Government) to significantly advance coral propagation efforts in Bermuda. In collaboration with the Coral Spawning Lab (CSL), this project 'Building Sustainable Coral Propagation Capacity in Bermuda' will enable us to address the challenge of steady supply of young corals for restoration by controlling the timing of spawning. The project addresses the urgent need for a controlled environment to ensure consistent coral reproduction. In 2023, several species failed to spawn during the natural reproductive season, severely impacting LRF's ability to produce coral spat for subsequent planting periods. By moving beyond the unpredictable natural spawning events that only occur over a narrow 3-month window, we’ll be able to increase our juvenile coral production and safeguard the future of these essential reef builders. The project will result in a  cutting-edge coral conditioning system in our hatchery, allowing precise control over seawater temperature, light exposure, and the lunar cycle—three critical factors in coral reproduction. It will develop Bermuda’s coral conservation capacity by training local scientists and staff to operate this system, and  allow us to perform year-round studies on corals' early life stages and improve the cost-effectiveness of our nature-based breakwater programme. This project marks a significant leap forward for coral conservation in Bermuda. Newly settled larvae develop into polyps photographed below. These grow by budding; they divide themselves into new identical polyps (seen in last photo). Having the ability to spawn on demand will mean producing more new polyps able to bud into a large coral colony. #biodiversitychallenefund #darwinplus #coralspawninglab #coralreproduction