Strategy

GLISPA has helped catalyze significant advances in island conservation and funding without the benefit of dedicated staff, structure or financial support. The increasing number of members and activities; however, has emphasized the need for a strategy to guide the work of the Partnership. The opportunity to develop one was given by one of GLISPA’s youngest members, Italy.

In the framework of the SIDS initiatives promoted by the Italian Government, in November 2006, Italy’s Ministries of Environment and Foreign Affairs, together with IUCN agreed to sponsor a GLISPA meeting to showcase progress, secure concrete commitments to conservation action on islands and develop a strategy to guide the next three years of its activities.

An impressive number of GLISPA members participated in the planning and preparation of Action for Island Conservation and Livelihoods: Strategy for a Global Challenge. Building upon this, a small group of self-funded GLISPA members held a meeting in Rome at the end of September 2007 to achieve two main goals:

1. Develop a draft Global Island Partnership Strategy (2008 – 2010) and global review process;
   
2. Prepare for a meeting in 2008 in La Maddalena, Italy to significantly expand and strengthen the Partnership and build momentum for GLISPA commitments and action.
   

To see the final summary of the 2010 Strategy, click here

Objectives

1. Inspire and recognize leadership and commitments to action for island conservation and sustainable livelihoods;
   
2. Connect partners to support implementation of commitments;
   
3. Promote collaboration and exchanges among islands;
   
4. Engage in joint communication strategies on island issues;
   
5. Track progress on GLISPA commitments (monitor results);
   
6. Build linkages between island nations and nations with islands;
   
7. Facilitate increased public and private funding for island priorities by:
   
• helping partners secure local and international funding from public and private sources for the sustainable financing of GLISPA commitments;
  
• working with the GEF, CBD Parties, and other donors and co-financers to structure effective projects to support globalleadership in island invasive species management, resilient marine protected area (MPA) networks, adaptation to climate change and the implementation of the CBD Programme of Work on Island Biodiversity;
  
• working with the GEF, the World Economic Forum, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, other trade organizations and voluntary initiatives, and interested private sector partners to catalyze support for conservation and climate positive investment;
  
• establishing a global island fundraising campaign by early 2010.
  

Principles

• GLISPA is an open partnership, available to any country or organization that shares its mission and values;
• Commitments are based on national and/or organisational priorities;
• Collaboration is encouraged but voluntary;
• GLISPA adds value to existing networks and initiatives;
• Implementation and funding is by partners – not GLISPA;
• Mechanism for accelerating action on island issues (e.g., island POW and related policies);
• Focus is on helping countries implement existing policy framework on islands;
• GLISPA does not engage in policy advocacy; this is a role for individual countries, organizations or coalitions.

Target Audience

Leaders	Implementing organizations	Donors
Political Institutional Private Sector	Government NGO Business	Public Private