Version française disponible sur ce lien As part of the Support Programme for biodiversity Civil Society Organisations active in developing countries (ProBioDev), the Selection Committee met on June 25th and 26th in Paris to evaluate the proposals submitted following a call for proposals. In total, 11 projects were selected in 10 countries for a total amount of €1.9M. On April 9th, the IUCN French Committee launched a call for proposals to support biodiversity conservation projects and/or Nature-based Solutions (NbS) carried out by civil society partnerships (comprising a French CSO and a local CSO) in developing countries. By the end, 126 applications had been received. This is an excellent result for this first call, demonstrating the significant interest and need among CSOs for this type of funding mechanism to support biodiversity in developing countries. Out of the 126 applications, 37 were presented to the selection committee (the others were deemed ineligible or did not meet the criteria of the call for proposals). Prior to the Selection Committee meetings, each application was reviewed by two independent evaluators who assessed the quality of the submitted projects according to various criteria (biodiversity issues and threats, relevance and coherence of the projects, organizational capacity to carry out actions, partnership coherence, etc.). Held in Paris (with some evaluators participating remotely), the Selection Committee took place on June 25th and 26th , 2024, bringing together a total of 44 experts. During the Committee, each project was presented and then discussed among the evaluators and the other members. In addition to selecting the projects, the discussions also provided an opportunity to share expertise and suggestions for improvements for each proposal. At the end of the two-day committee meeting, 11 projects were selected for a total amount of €1 891 000, with an average of approximately €172 000 per project. Through these grants, with a maximum duration of 2 years, the civil society partnerships will have the common goal of implementing local biodiversity conservation projects and nature-based solutions through concrete on-the-ground actions. The projects will also support activities that benefit local populations. The IUCN French Committee warmly thanks the members of the Selection Committee for their dedication and participation, which ensures the independence of the process, strengthens dialogue between organizations, and enhances the quality of the proposals and projects supported by ProBioDev. Congratulations to all the selected partnerships, and best of luck with the implementation of their projects! Supported by a coalition of public and private partners including the French development agency (AFD), French Office for Biodiversity (OFB), Audemars Piguet Foundation for Trees, Fondation de France, Fondation Manthano, Fondation Egis, and Maisons du Monde Foundation, the programme’s ambition is to improve the state of biodiversity in developing countries through the action of civil society and the strengthening of capacities and partnerships of CSOs. Discover the selected projects! MADAGASCAR – Association Française de Sauvegarde du Grand Hapalémur (Helpsimus) & IMPACT Madagascar: « Ensuring the sustainable protection of the largest wild population of greater bamboo lemurs in Madagascar » The project aims to sustainably protect the largest wild population of greater bamboo lemurs (Prolemur simus, CR) by enhancing habitat conservation near Ranomafana National Park. Actions include reducing deforestation and wood cutting, mitigating conflicts with farmers, restoring forests, and creating a category 5 protected area. The project also focuses on improving the monitoring of several groups of greater bamboo lemurs and developing a scientific conservation program, enhancing knowledge of the lemur populations present, which will be used for the protected area creation process. Additionally, the project supports the economic and social development of local communities by promoting climate-resilient agriculture and supporting children’s education. The grant awarded by ProBioDev is €100 000 for a duration of 24 months. INDONESIA – Small Islands Organisations (SMILO) & Blue Forests: « Tanakeke, towards a sustainable island » The project aims to strengthen the resilience of Tanakeke Island in South Sulawesi by improving environmental management and community living conditions through SMILO’s Sustainable Island Labelling methodology. It aims to enhance local and inclusive governance by establishing an operational committee and defining a participatory action plan to build community capacity in environmental management. The project supports concrete initiatives such as the rehabilitation, monitoring, and conservation of mangroves and other key species, while promoting the sustainable development of seaweed cultivation to improve inhabitants’ living conditions. Blue Forests’ experiences on Tanakeke Island will be integrated and shared within the SMILO community, thereby strengthening their contributions to national and international biodiversity agendas. The grant awarded by ProBioDev is €195 000 for a duration of 24 months. GHANA – A Rocha Ghana & A Rocha France: « Conservation and sustainable management of the Keta Lagoon Ramsar site for the climate resilience of birds and communities » Located in the landscape of the Keta Lagoon Ramsar site, the project focuses on conserving bird species and their habitats, educating about the importance of wetlands for biodiversity and ecosystem services, and restoring and sustainably managing mangrove forests. The site plays a crucial role as an essential habitat for migratory birds and a nesting site for endangered marine turtle species. Planned actions include producing habitat maps and bird species lists, developing local capacity for bird identification and monitoring, and creating ecotourism opportunities benefiting local communities. The project will also train communities, especially women and youth, in sustainable management and restoration of degraded mangrove forests. The grant awarded by ProBioDev is €195 000 for a duration of 24 months. LAOS – Des Eléphants et Des Hommes & Lao Wildlife Conservation Trust: « WILDMED – Wildlife Mobile Emergency & Diagnostic Unit » Laos, a biodiversity hotspot, faces a significant biodiversity crisis with growing threats to its wildlife and ecosystems. The near-total lack of veterinary capacities, especially in conservation medicine, severely limits aid to wildlife facing increased human conflicts, illegal trafficking, and zoonotic risks. This project aims to strengthen the capacities of key Lao actors and establish an emergency response team for affected wildlife through the deployment of a mobile veterinary unit. The project team will also assess a population of semi-wild elephants using a One Health … Lire la suite de Eleven new projects supported by ProBioDev