Meta 19
Movilizar 200.000 millones de dólares anuales para la biodiversidad de todas las fuentes, incluidos 30.000 millones a través de la financiación internacional.
Aumentar considerable y progresivamente, de modo eficaz y oportuno, y con fácil acceso, el nivel de recursos financieros procedentes de todo tipo de fuentes nacionales e internacionales, públicas y privadas, de conformidad con el artículo 20 del Convenio, a fin de ejecutar las estrategias y planes de acción nacionales en torno a la diversidad biológica, habiendo movilizado para 2030 al menos 200.000 millones de dólares de los Estados Unidos, entre otras cosas:
a) aumentando el total de flujos financieros internacional destinados a la diversidad biológica procedentes de los países desarrollados, incluida la ayuda oficial al desarrollo, y de los países que voluntariamente asuman las obligaciones de las Partes que son países desarrollados, hacia los países en desarrollo, en particular, hacia los países menos adelantados y los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo, así como los países con economías en transición, a 20.000 millones anuales para 2025 y a 30.000 mil millones anuales para 2030;
b) aumentando significativamente la movilización de recursos internos, facilitado por los planes de financiación para la diversidad biológica o instrumentos similares;
c) apalancando la financiación privada, promoviendo la financiación combinada, ejecutando estrategias de recaudación de recursos nuevos y adicionales, y alentando al sector privado a invertir en la biodiversidad, entre otras cosas, mediante fondos de impacto y otros instrumentos;
d) estimulando planes innovadores, como el pago por servicios de los ecosistemas, bonos verdes, compensaciones de la pérdida de diversidad biológica, créditos, mecanismos de participación en los beneficios;
e) optimizando los beneficios colaterales y sinergias de la financiación destinada a la diversidad biológica y a la crisis climática;
f) reforzando el papel de las acciones colectiva1, incluidas las de los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales, las actuaciones centradas en la Madre Tierra y los planteamientos basados en criterios no mercantiles, incluida la gestión comunitaria de los recursos naturales y la cooperación y solidaridad de la sociedad civil en aras de la conservación de la diversidad biológica;
g) reforzando la efectividad, la eficiencia y la transparencia de la provisión y utilización de los recursos.
Aumentar considerable y progresivamente, de modo eficaz y oportuno, y con fácil acceso, el nivel de recursos financieros procedentes de todo tipo de fuentes nacionales e internacionales, públicas y privadas, de conformidad con el artículo 20 del Convenio, a fin de ejecutar las estrategias y planes de acción nacionales en torno a la diversidad biológica, habiendo movilizado para 2030 al menos 200.000 millones de dólares de los Estados Unidos, entre otras cosas:
a) aumentando el total de flujos financieros internacional destinados a la diversidad biológica procedentes de los países desarrollados, incluida la ayuda oficial al desarrollo, y de los países que voluntariamente asuman las obligaciones de las Partes que son países desarrollados, hacia los países en desarrollo, en particular, hacia los países menos adelantados y los pequeños Estados insulares en desarrollo, así como los países con economías en transición, a 20.000 millones anuales para 2025 y a 30.000 mil millones anuales para 2030;
b) aumentando significativamente la movilización de recursos internos, facilitado por los planes de financiación para la diversidad biológica o instrumentos similares;
c) apalancando la financiación privada, promoviendo la financiación combinada, ejecutando estrategias de recaudación de recursos nuevos y adicionales, y alentando al sector privado a invertir en la biodiversidad, entre otras cosas, mediante fondos de impacto y otros instrumentos;
d) estimulando planes innovadores, como el pago por servicios de los ecosistemas, bonos verdes, compensaciones de la pérdida de diversidad biológica, créditos, mecanismos de participación en los beneficios;
e) optimizando los beneficios colaterales y sinergias de la financiación destinada a la diversidad biológica y a la crisis climática;
f) reforzando el papel de las acciones colectiva1, incluidas las de los pueblos indígenas y las comunidades locales, las actuaciones centradas en la Madre Tierra y los planteamientos basados en criterios no mercantiles, incluida la gestión comunitaria de los recursos naturales y la cooperación y solidaridad de la sociedad civil en aras de la conservación de la diversidad biológica;
g) reforzando la efectividad, la eficiencia y la transparencia de la provisión y utilización de los recursos.
El contexto
PAME
Lograr todas las necesidades de conservación de las especies requiere un aumento masivo de la financiación, el desarrollo de capacidades y la transferencia de conocimientos y tecnología a todos los países.
Primary tools and resources
The Franklinia Foundation – for Conservation Threatened Trees
The Franklinia Foundation is a private foundation under Swiss law established in 2005 that provides financial support for nature conservation projects. Its objective is to ensure the conservation of threatened tree species throughout the world and to improve their conservation status.
Fonseca Species Conservation Fund (FSCF)
The Fonseca Species Conservation Fund (FSCF) was established in 2024 by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and Re:wild to honor the passion of the late Gustavo Fonseca, long-standing GEF director of programs, for species conservation and building capacity of the next generation of conservationists.
The FSCF draws on the expertise of IUCN Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups and other key partners to ensure all funding goes toward priority projects. Through the FSCF, grantees will access funding support, the expertise of the selection committees, and connections with partner organizations.
The Terra Viva Grants Directory
The Terra Viva Grants Directory is an online information service on funding opportunities for the developing world in (1) Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry; (2) Biodiversity, Conservation, Wildlife; (3) Energy, Climate Change; (4) Water Resources; and (5) Cross-Cutting Subjects. The platform lists current grant opportunities and profiles of over 800 grant programs, including application deadlines by month, subject area, and form of grant support. Funding News is a blog of open calls for proposals that is updated regularly.
Basic access for project funding or scholarships is free resources. Full access requires a paid subscription.
Rufford Small Grants
The Rufford Foundation provides funding for nature conservation projects in developing countries. Grants start at £6,000 and increase to £15,000 for projects that successfully complete each stage. To be eligible, species must be considered threatened. Applicants
should be in the early stages of their conservation career.
UNDP BIOFIN Initiative
BIOFIN was initiated ten years ago at CBD COP 11 by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and the European Commission in response to the urgent global need to divert more finance from all possible sources towards global and national biodiversity goals. BIOFIN demonstrates how nature-positive economies can work for people and the planet. Now present in 40 countries, BIOFIN is working with governments, civil-society, vulnerable communities, and the private sector to catalyse investments in nature protect and promote biodiversity. The BIOFIN Report: How Can Biodiversity Finance Plans Support NBSAPs? assists countries to develop, update, and implement national Biodiversity Finance Plans (BFPs) in support of their National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP).
BIOFIN does not provide funds directly. However, BIOFIN has partnered with several other organisations to set up the Finance Resources for Biodiversity (FIRE) platform to collate funding sources for all types of biodiversity projects, including for species. Over 300 funding opportunities for biodiversity conservation, both public and private, are listed. FIRE functions as a one-stop-shop, where a project leader can find a multitude of different opportunities matching specific criteria (country, range of funding, type of entity, etc.). Sources can be sorted using filters. Within the “ecosystems” filter there is an option to select Wildlife / Endangered Species.
How to use
Information on BIOFIN can be accessed at: https://www.biofin.org/
The BIOFIN brochure can be downloaded at: https://www.biofin.org/knowledge-product/biofin-brochure-0
The Report: How Can Biodiversity Finance Plans Support NBSAPs? can be downloaded at: https://www.biofin.org/knowledge-product/how-can-biodiversity-finance-plans-support-nbsaps
The FIRE platform can be accessed at: https://fire.biofin.org/
To obtain information on funding resources for species use the link: https://fire.biofin.org/?ecosystems=Wildlife++Endangered+Species&name=
EDGE Protected And Conserved Area Fund
The EDGE of Existence programme was the first global conservation initiative to focus specifically on threatened species that represent a significant amount of unique evolutionary history.
Using a scientific framework to identify the world’s most Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) species, the EDGE of Existence programme highlights and protects some of the most unique, extraordinary, and overlooked species on the planet. EDGE species have few close relatives on the Tree of Life and are often extremely unusual in the way they look, live and behave, as well as in their genetic makeup. They represent a unique and irreplaceable part of the world’s natural heritage, yet an alarming proportion are on the verge of extinction.
To safeguard these species, we are committed to supporting, strengthening, and diversifying conservation leadership in critical regions. The EDGE Fellowship exemplifies this commitment. It is a 28-month fellowship for local early-career conservationists from lower- and middle-income countries. We equip these emerging leaders—EDGE Fellows—with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities required to advance their careers and spearhead effective conservation efforts for the world’s most unique and extraordinary species.
The extinction of species is a call to action for all of us, and we stand ready to answer that call and contribute to a healthier and vibrant planet for all species.
The Rufford Foundation
The Rufford Foundation is a UK registered charity which funds nature conservation projects across the developing world.
The flagship Rufford Small Grants Programme gives funding to individuals working in developing countries who are starting on the ladder of conservation research and establishing pilot programmes. In some cases, if their work progresses well, these individuals may apply for one of the further grants from the Foundation. Since the Rufford Small Grants Programme was set up over 20 years ago, it has given in excess of £30 million through more than 5100 grants to projects in over 150 countries. The programme identifies scientists at the very early stages of their careers and provides targeted support to enable them to achieve their goal of making a difference in terms of conservation. Many recipients have gone on to be key influencers at a national and sometimes global level
Darwin Initiative
The Darwin Initiative is a UK government grants scheme that helps conserve biodiversity and support the communities that live alongside it through locally led projects worldwide. It is one of the Biodiversity Challenge Funds (BCFs) – the collective name for three of the UK Government’s competitive grants that also includes the Illegal Wildlife Trade Challenge Fund and Darwin Plus, aimed at conserving biodiversity and safeguarding the environment for local people.
Successful Darwin Initiative projects are likely to include:
- delivering outputs that will achieve both biodiversity conservation and multidimensional poverty reduction
- demonstrated an understanding of GESI within their context, and effectively reflected this in their approach to deliver sustained outcomes
- enhancing the capability and capacity of national and local partners and stakeholders, to help ensure a project’s long-term legacy
- strengthening, promotion and use of evidence to inform and scale the action
- the implementation of a novel or significantly improved approach
- scalable approaches that have the potential to deliver greater impact
Since 1993, the Darwin Initiative has awarded over £230m to more than 1,275 projects across 159 countries.
Whitley Fund for Nature
Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN) is a fundraising and grant-giving nature conservation charity.
Three types of WFN grant enable grassroots conservationists to scale up their work and make a global impact. Whitley Awards provide £40,000 in project funding over one year as well as profile and training. Follow-on grants enable previous winners to expand effective projects, respond to changing needs, and collaborate with other conservationists, with grants worth up to £100,000 over two years. In 2020 WFN introduced a new strand of Continuation Funding for nature-based solutions that will help secure a sustainable future for wildlife, ecosystems and people. The Whitley Gold Award is worth £100,000.
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund
The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund The Fund was established in 2008 with an initial endowment of €25,000,000 to: Provide targeted grants to individual species conservation initiatives; Recognize leaders in the field of species conservation; and Elevate the importance of species in the broader conservation debate. The Fund provides small grants to boots-on-the-ground, in-the-field species conservation projects for the world’s most threatened species.
The Fund is open to applications for funding support from all parts of the world for direct conservation projects focused on threatened plant, animal, and fungus species. Grants are awarded according to criteria set by the Species Fund, and are for a maximum of $25,000.
IUCN Save Our Species
Through the hard work of our grantees, advice from IUCN’s many species experts and the support of our incredible donors and partners, we are able to deliver great impact for species threatened with extinction.
Why protect species
The alarm has been raised repeatedly about the decline in biodiversity across the planet. By allowing this decline to continue, we erode the very foundations of our existence.
Current initiatives
IUCN Save Our Species’ current portfolio is made up of almost 90 projects from all over the world. They are integrated into region-focused or species-focused initiatives.
Global Environmental Facility
We support developing countries’ work to address the world’s most pressing environmental issues. We organize our work around five focal areas – biodiversity loss, chemicals and waste, climate change, international waters, and land degradation – and take an integrated approach to support more sustainable food systems, forest management, and cities.
Other tools and resources
Restauración de sistemas ancestrales de manejo del agua en los Andes como una adaptación al cambio climático – Miraflores, Perú
La comunidad de Miraflores y el Instituto de Montaña implementaron una medida de Adaptación basada en Ecosistemas (AbE) en alianza con la Reserva Paisajística Nor Yauyos-Cochas y la UICN. Nuestra solución de adaptación combinó el conocimiento tradicional y local con la ciencia más reciente, y comprendió tres componentes: (1) Fortalecimiento de la institucionalidad y la organización comunal, (2) Fortalecimiento de capacidades y conocimientos locales e (3) Infraestructura verde-gris. Trabajando con conservacionistas, ingenieros y antropólogos, los miembros de la comunidad de Miraflores decidieron restaurar un antiguo sistema de gestión del agua diseñado por sus ancestros y que data de hace 700 años. Este sistema renovado es un híbrido de infraestructura verde y gris que aprovecha al máximo la ingeniería antigua y la ciencia moderna. Pudimos restaurar el flujo de agua a los pastizales y mejorar el manejo del ganado y pastos, una adaptación clave al cambio climático.
Gestión municipal y empresa privada: juntas por la sustentabilidad ambiental de la Amazonía Ecuatoriana.
El Área Ecológica de Conservación Municipal Tinajillas Río Gualaceño fue creada en el año 2014 bajo Ordenanza Municipal para conservar 31.959,35 ha de bosque húmedo tropical en la entrada a la Amazonía Ecuatoriana. El área está gestionada por el Gobierno Autónomo Descentralizado (GAD) Municipal del Cantón Limón Indanza y es parte del modelo de desarrollo cantonal enfocado en articular la gestión local con la sustentabilidad ambiental. Este área representa un proceso con alta gerencia institucional y con iniciativas diversificadas para la sostenibilidad financiera. La misma pretende conservar la integridad ecológica de los ecosistemas, la biodiversidad y la belleza escénica del paisaje para su uso sostenible gracias a iniciativas económicas amigables con el ambiente. El lugar es estratégico también a nivel regional, porque forma parte del corredor biológico Sangay Podocarpus, que a su vez forma parte del Corredor de Conservación Abiseo-Cóndor-Kutucú.
APA – Serra do Guararu
Este proyecto pone el foco en preservar los ecosistemas naturales de esa región, proteger especies endémicas, incentivar investigaciones científicas, conservar la cobertura del suelo, los servicios ambientales, el patrimonio ambiental, cultural, fomentar el turismo sustentable. Estas herramientas vienen a intentar contrarrestrar los efectos de problemas existentes y actuales tales como: Convencer al poder público y a la comunidad de la importancia de preservar los antes mencionados y establecer un área protegida- APA-, la situación ameritaba un imperioso y urgente plan de creación de APA a efectos de evitar ocupaciones clandestinas y establecimiento de redes criminales, deforestación ilegal, caza predatoria, contaminación y deterioro ambiental.
Ante este panorama de diversos y difusos problemas es que este proyecto ha tomado una enorme relevancia como un caso realmente exitoso, y pasible de ser replicado en otras zonas.
Creación del Fondo de Inversión Ambiental para la Reserva Marina de Galápagos
El objetivo es constituir y capitalizar un fondo fideicomisario, que esté anclado al Fondo de Inversión Ambiental Sostenible (FIAS), con la finalidad de proteger preservar y conservar la Reserva Marina de Galápagos (RMG), asegurando su sostenibilidad financiera.
El principal hito a largo plazo que se quiere alcanzar con este fondo es aumentar las 40 millas de la RMG. Además, con este fondo se pretende elaborar e implementar un plan de prevención, conservación y preservación de la RMG. Para lograr estos hitos se definieron tres programas principales. Sin embargo, fueron identificados dos ejes transversales a estos programas como cruciales para lograr una buena preservación y conservación de la RMG, estos son Cambio Climático y Comunicación y Educación Ambiental.
Los tres programas son:
- Mantener y repotenciar el programa de Control y Vigilancia de la RMG para proteger el patrimonio marino;
- Garantizar la conservación de la RMG y su integridad ecológica, a través del monitoreo e investigación para el uso racional de sus bienes y servicios ambientales;
- Contribuir con la elaboración e implementación del Plan de Emergencia para la RMG.
- La actualización del valor del cobro de las patentes de operación turística;
- En el Ecuador existe un Fondo de Inversión Ambiental Sostenible (FIAS) que nos permitirá crear este fondo de la RMG bajo su paraguas;
- La existencia de un Fondo para las Especies Invasoras de Galápagos, anclado al FIAS, es un ejemplo de éxito para la creación del fondo de la reserva marina, aportando confianza para los inversionistas.
- La creación de este tipo de fondos ayudan a mitigar la inestabilidad del financiamiento por parte del Estado y cooperación externa;
- En las negociaciones con la cooperación externa para buscar su voluntad para invertir en este fondo, o la ayuda en la busqueda de donantes para el mismo, ha tenido bastante acogida en este medio debido al factor de sostenabilidad en el tiempo;
- El Estado a través de su Ministerio de Finanzas ha recibido de forma positiva la iniciativa de la DPNG para implementación del fondo;
- Una de las principales barreras que se tuvo que sortear fue la inestabilidad política. Sin embargo, como explicado en el building block anterior, el caracter técnico de este proyecto superó al político.
How a real estate project can ensure longterm financing for the conservation of a wilderness area
Through a real estate project “Reserva Ecologica Oasis de la Campana” it is possible to protect 1000 hectares of sclerophyllous forest of Mediterranean ecosystem. The project destines a sector that is subdivided into properties of 0.5 hectares for real estate purposes and another sector of 1000 hectares to conservation of Mediterranean forest and its biodiversity. Through the legal framework of reciprocal environmental easements between the parcels of the real estate sector and the area destined for conservation and the delivery of these lands to a non-profit Foundation, the legal protection in perpetuity of the 1000 hectares is ensured. On the other hand, this same legal framework ensures that the common expenses of the owners of the real estate subdivision finance not only the maintenance of their common areas but also the maintenance activities of the wilderness area to be conserved. This includes protection and restoration activities.
Se Buscan Héroes: turismo, alianzas y comunicación para el financiamiento en áreas marinas protegidas
Cuatro organizaciones de la sociedad civil (OSC) integran Paralelo 28 con el objeto de captar recursos para contribuir al manejo y vigilancia de las áreas naturales protegidas (ANP) del Golfo de California. En 2016 lanzan la campaña Se Buscan Héroes en el Parque Nacional Islas Marietas, en colaboración con la Comisión Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas (CONANP) y la Oficina de Visitantes y Convenciones de la Riviera Nayarit.
Se establecen acuerdos entre Prestadores de Servicios Turísticos (PST), OSC y gobierno para instalar un mecanismo de financiamiento que contribuya al buen manejo del ANP. PST forman la asociación Bahía Unida y aportan $40 pesos por turista al Fondo Marietas. Paralelo 28 ejecuta la campaña de comunicación reconociendo a las empresas participantes (+95%). Las OSC y el gobierno ejecutan las acciones de manejo con los fondos generados, ofreciendo transparencia y claridad en el manejo financiero e inician réplicas en otras ANP. Aumenta 5,500% el presupuesto anual.
IWC Whale Watching Handbook
Whale watching is a rapidly growing activity, and the Whale Watching Handbook was designed to help the industry develop in a way that is sustainable in the long-term, for both the whale populations that are observed and the economies that depend on their presence.
As the inter-governmental organisation charged with conservation of whale stocks, the IWC is well-placed to provide the expertise needed to understand and manage the potential impacts of whale watching on the whales. These foundations have been strengthened by a partnership with the Convention for Migratory Species (CMS) and the result is a comprehensive, living and evolving resource on whale watching, available in three languages.
Solutions and case studies
Eco-Tourism for Mountain Communities in Khan Tengiri State Nature Park, Kyrgyzstan
In Kyrgyzstan, livestock herding remains a cornerstone of rural livelihoods, yet inefficient resource use and unsustainable herd sizes are accelerating land degradation, increasing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating environmental and public health risks—all of which heighten the impacts of climate change. Ecotourism is often presented as a complementary livelihood option, but it also comes with its own set of challenges. These include ensuring that tours respect nature and do not harm protected areas, difficulties in connecting tour operators with new or remote destinations, limited local services and marketing capacity, and ensuring that tourism activities genuinely support conservation efforts.
Mungano: Maputo national park friends club- redefining conservation for impact
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
Mundo Marino Eco: Hybrid Sailing Catamaran for Sustainable Nautical Tourism in Spain
Mundo Marino, a Spanish company operating along the Mediterranean coast (Valencia, Costa Blanca, and Málaga), has integrated sustainable practices into nautical tourism through the design and operation of hybrid and electric catamarans. The flagship vessel Mundo Marino Eco combines sail power with Torqeedo Deep Blue electric propulsion, solar panels, and hydrogeneration systems. This innovation reduces carbon emissions by 40% compared to conventional vessels, achieving an average of 22 g CO₂ per passenger/km.
The project goes beyond tourism, serving as a platform for environmental education, citizen science, and collaborations with research institutions in marine biodiversity monitoring. By offering sustainable maritime mobility and raising awareness among thousands of visitors each year, Mundo Marino contributes to reducing pressures on marine ecosystems, aligning with the objectives of the Global Biodiversity Framework and supporting the 30×30 target in Mediterranean coastal waters.
Results-based budgeting in the Pak Kret City Municipality, Thailand: Integrating biodiversity targets into local government budgets
Pak Kret City Municipality is located on the Chao Phraya River plain in Thailand, an area with fertile soil for agriculture. The subdistrict is home to 63 native durian varieties, a flavorful tropical fruit. However, unplanned urban expansion, pollution, and climate change have threatened urban biodiversity and agricultural activities in Pak Kret. Its proximity to Bangkok, only 20 kilometers away, intensifies these pressures.
Amid this situation, Pak Kret City Municipality, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), adopted results-based budgeting: an approach that integrates biodiversity targets into government budgets, thereby increasing nature-positive investments.
As a result, Pak Kret invested USD 11 million (THB 372 million) — 17% of its total budget — in biodiversity in 2025, reflecting priority concerns to protect its distinctive durian variety, expand green spaces, and enhance air quality, water, and waste management systems.
Ceasing Harmful Coastal Construction Subsidies to Protect Biodiversity in the Surroundings of the Mrigadayavan Palace, Thailand
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.
Green Credit and Loans in Ecuador: Supporting small entrepreneurs, empowering vulnerable groups, and using an automated software to assess social and environmental risks
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 +Mujeres +Natura (+Women +Nature) Programme: Empowering women through access to nature-positive finance and participation in decision-making for biodiversity
Women have a fundamental role in biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica and globally. However, gender-based barriers limit their access to biodiversity-related financial mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services and credit for sustainable agriculture and bio-businesses.
In 2020, the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE) and the Biodiversity Finance Imitative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the umbrella programme +Women +Nature to promote gender equality in biodiversity. Central to this initiative are three mechanisms to increase women’s access to finance, including two credit lines and one payment for environmental services scheme.
These mechanisms have strengthened women’s agency in conservation through USD 6,979,050 in credit lines and 530 payment for environmental services contracts, contributing to biodiversity conservation and inclusive economic development in Costa Rica.
World-First Jaguar-Protection Insurance in Misiones, Argentina: Protecting wildlife and supporting livestock farmers
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.
World-First Jaguar-Protection Insurance in Misiones, Argentina: Protecting wildlife and supporting livestock farmers
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 +Mujeres +Natura (+Women +Nature) Programme: Empowering women through access to nature-positive finance and participation in decision-making for biodiversity
Women have a fundamental role in biodiversity conservation in Costa Rica and globally. However, gender-based barriers limit their access to biodiversity-related financial mechanisms, such as payments for environmental services and credit for sustainable agriculture and bio-businesses.
In 2020, the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica (MINAE) and the Biodiversity Finance Imitative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the umbrella programme +Women +Nature to promote gender equality in biodiversity. Central to this initiative are three mechanisms to increase women’s access to finance, including two credit lines and one payment for environmental services scheme.
These mechanisms have strengthened women’s agency in conservation through USD 6,979,050 in credit lines and 530 payment for environmental services contracts, contributing to biodiversity conservation and inclusive economic development in Costa Rica.
Updating protected area fees in Botswana: Aligning prices with current market values through an evidence-based and participatory process
In Botswana, 40% of the territory is under some type of legal environmental protection, with 17% classified as protected areas. However, limited funding increased their exposure to habitat loss, ecosystem conversion, and other pressures. Protected area fees had not been updated since 2000 in the country, contributing to this situation.
The Department of Wildlife and National Parks of Botswana, with support from the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), revised protected area fees across all national parks and game reserves in the country, except the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. Revised fees became effective on April 2022.
In 2023, protected area fees in Botswana generated around USD 7.8 million (BWP 103.9 million) of revenue, compared to USD 4.6 million (BWP 61.3 million) in 2019. This achievement strengthens biodiversity conservation in the country.
Using Digital Innovation to Strengthen Environmental Fine Collection and Support Conservation: The IremboPay Experience in Rwanda
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.