The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is the world’s largest owl and a vital predatory bird ensuring ecosystem balance by controlling rodent and other small mammal populations. Despite protection under international and national laws, it faces threats from human disturbances such as habitat loss, electrocution, poisoning, and cultural persecution, leading to population decline. In Europe and Serbia, a lack of nesting sites and essential data on its distribution and habits further complicate conservation.

This pilot project in Eastern Serbia aims to conserve this species using field research, modern technology (GPS tracking devices, audio and video monitoring), and educational activities across five sites in Sokobanja, Zaječar, and Knjaževac. Providing  support to five known nesting areas and limiting disturbance by visitors through remote surveillance, as well as directly involving the local community in conservation through workshops and campaigns, all ensure long term results in Eurasian Eagle-Owl protection in Eastern Serbia.

The Maputo National Park Friends Club (MUNGANO – “friend”) is an innovative conservation finance model that mobilises domestic private-sector support for biodiversity, community development and sustainable tourism in Mozambique’s Maputo National Park (MNP). Through a membership platform for national and international businesses, MUNGANO strengthens park sustainability, builds partnerships and grows long-term local ownership. MNP, upgraded to a national park in 2021, protects 1,728 km² of terrestrial, coastal and marine ecosystems within the Maputaland–Pondoland–Albany hotspot and Africa’s first Transfrontier Marine Conservation Area, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2025. The park faces funding gaps, limited infrastructure, human–wildlife conflict, unsustainable resource use, worsened by climate change. With Club backing, MNP has installed electrified fences to protect fields, restored mangroves, improved roads and water systems, and run creative campaigns that raised its national and international profile

The Eurasian Eagle-Owl is the world’s largest owl and a vital predatory bird ensuring ecosystem balance by controlling rodent and other small mammal populations. Despite protection under international and national laws, it faces threats from human disturbances such as habitat loss, electrocution, poisoning, and cultural persecution, leading to population decline. In Europe and Serbia, a lack of nesting sites and essential data on its distribution and habits further complicate conservation.

This pilot project in Eastern Serbia aims to conserve this species using field research, modern technology (GPS tracking devices, audio and video monitoring), and educational activities across five sites in Sokobanja, Zaječar, and Knjaževac. Providing  support to five known nesting areas and limiting disturbance by visitors through remote surveillance, as well as directly involving the local community in conservation through workshops and campaigns, all ensure long term results in Eurasian Eagle-Owl protection in Eastern Serbia.

Habitat degradation, pollution, and over-exploitation have threatened Sri Lanka’s rich biodiversity, which contains high levels of endemism. Moreover, an economic crisis that began in 2019 made it challenging to increase public funding for biodiversity. The COVID-19 pandemic aggravated this situation and added pressure to the livelihoods of those dependent on tourism.

While unplanned tourism expansion can be detrimental to biodiversity, the sector is also a source of opportunities for long-term conservation and local income generation. The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority (SLTDA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), and other partners developed a National Sustainable Tourism Certification scheme to promote biodiversity conservation and support economic recovery.

As of June 2025, 37 hotels, one destination, and 204 small and medium enterprises were certified. BIOFIN estimates that this initiative has catalyzed USD 4.026 million in investments for biodiversity.

The Mrigadayavan Palace, built in 1924 between the beach towns of Cha-Am and Hua Hin, was the summer house of King Vajiravudh, who ruled until 1925. To prevent coastal erosion and protect this cultural landmark, The Marine Department of Thailand (Ministry of Transport) constructed groins, seawalls, and jetties along the beach near the palace. These rigid structures cost USD 8.4 million in subsidies.

National experts, partners, and the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) measured the impact of subsidies on ecosystems in Thailand. After the team found that rigid coastal structures had accelerated erosion instead of preventing it, they presented these results to the Department of Marine and Coastal Resources (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment).

As a result, the Thai cabinet ceased subsidies for coastal rigid structures near the palace. Existing structures were replaced with nature-based solutions, restoring the ecosystem and protecting cultural heritage.

Ecuador is one of the world’s 17 megadiverse countries, with rich fauna and flora. However, economic reliance on non-renewable resources and unsustainable agricultural practices have threatened its biodiversity. Sustainable entrepreneurship offers an alternative to align economic activities with environmental protection. Yet, low-income women, youth, and other vulnerable groups face barriers in accessing credit to start small businesses.

Amid this situation, the National Corporation of Popular and Solidarity Finance (CONAFIPS) of Ecuador, with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), developed a Social and Environmental Risk Management System (SARAS) tool: a free and automated software that enables credit unions to screen loan applications against social and sustainability criteria.

As of August 2024, credit unions approved USD 804 million in green credit using SARAS, fostering a nature-positive economy, conserving biodiversity, and supporting women and the youth.

The jaguar (yaguareté) is the largest feline in the Americas and a national symbol in Argentina, yet fewer than 250 remain nationwide, about 90 in Misiones. Habitat loss and declining prey have increased jaguar predation on livestock and pets, harming farmer’s income and driving retaliatory killings. To transform conflict into coexistence, the Government of Misiones, UNDP (BIOFIN and IRFF), the insurer Río Uruguay Seguros, and the NGO Aves Argentinas developed the world’s first jaguar-protection insurance.

Purchased by the province of Misiones and offered free of charge to residents, the insurance provides prompt compensation to producers for verified jaguar predation. Launched in April 2025, the scheme verified five claims in its pilot phase in Comandante Andresito and has since expanded to other municipalities affected by human–jaguar conflict. By protecting rural livelihoods, the insurance discourages retaliation and protects the jaguar.

The jaguar (yaguareté) is the largest feline in the Americas and a national symbol in Argentina, yet fewer than 250 remain nationwide, about 90 in Misiones. Habitat loss and declining prey have increased jaguar predation on livestock and pets, harming farmer’s income and driving retaliatory killings. To transform conflict into coexistence, the Government of Misiones, UNDP (BIOFIN and IRFF), the insurer Río Uruguay Seguros, and the NGO Aves Argentinas developed the world’s first jaguar-protection insurance.

Purchased by the province of Misiones and offered free of charge to residents, the insurance provides prompt compensation to producers for verified jaguar predation. Launched in April 2025, the scheme verified five claims in its pilot phase in Comandante Andresito and has since expanded to other municipalities affected by human–jaguar conflict. By protecting rural livelihoods, the insurance discourages retaliation and protects the jaguar.

Rwanda’s highly biodiverse ecosystems continue to face threats such as deforestation, illegal logging, and poaching. Challenges in the enforcement of environmental laws, particularly in issuing and collecting fines from offenders, have exacerbated these pressures and limited Rwanda’s domestic funding for conservation initiatives.

The Government of Rwanda, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), launched IremboPay, a digital platform designed to register environmental offences, instantly issue fines, and automatically channel fine revenues to the Rwanda Green Fund.

As of May 2025, USD 130,000 in environmental fines were processed through IremboPay since its launch in October 2024. These funds are reinvested in reforestation, wetland restoration, environmental education, and other conservation initiatives.

This solution is part of the Sparsa Solution, a Nepali non-profit company that locally produces and distributes compostable menstrual pads featuring an absorbent core made from banana fibre.

To strengthen global replication of fibre-based pad manufacturing, a community-building approach was developed to connect practitioners, innovators, small manufacturers and researchers working with natural fibres. The process began with continuous ecosystem mapping and grew through honest, trust-based relationship building supported by regular interactions, especially on LinkedIn. Co-creation spaces—online workshops, stakeholder meetings, technical calls and real-time learning loops—allowed actors to exchange practical insights and refine approaches together. A flexible, distributed infrastructure combining PANORAMA with informal communication channels helps sustain the community and keeps the production model adaptive, accessible, and grounded in real-world experience.

The Three Sisters Giant Caves are located in Fikirini Village, near Shimoni in Kenya’s coastal Kwale County, within a 10-hectare Kaya Forest of both ecological and cultural importance. Three caves serve as vital roosting sites for several bat species, including the Endangered Hildegarde’s tomb bat (Taphozous hildegardeae), while a fourth cave is reserved for community spiritual practices. Degradation from deforestation, fires, and unsustainable guano harvesting has threatened the site’s integrity. In response, the Tswaka Three Sisters Giant Caves Community-Based Organization (CBO), supported by Bat Conservation International (BCI) and local partners, initiated a community-led effort to restore habitats, enhance protection, and develop eco-tourism as an alternative livelihood pathway that links biodiversity conservation with local economic and cultural resilience. This activity was financed under the GIZ-led IKI Kwale – Tanga Transboundary protection and sustainable management of the marine and coastal regions project.

Firmiana major is an endemic species of China. It was declared extinct in the wild by the IUCN in 1998. Later, it was rediscovered in the Sichuan Panzhihua Cycad National Nature Reserve. However, the population size remains extremely small, natural regeneration is limited. The species faces several threats, including low seed plumpness, challenges in seed preservation, harsh habitat conditions in the dry-hot valley, and a lack of protective policies. Integrate field surveys, artificial propagation, in situ conservation, genetic diversity research, and policy advocacy. Core measures include sowing immediately after collection, habitat management. The wild population has increased nearly 400 individuals. More than 500 seedlings have been artificially cultivated. The species has been reclassified as a National Key Protected Wild Plant (Class II), assessed as Endangered (EN) by the IUCN, and its conservation efforts have been integrated into local ecological plans.