GERMANY Since the launch of the LifeWeb Initiative in May 2008, the Government of Germany has provided financial support to 27 projects in partner countries totaling over €80 million Euros, including funding the operations of the LifeWeb Coordination Office. Germany will considerably increase its support for conservation of biodiversity in the coming years and target needs of partner countries profiled through the LifeWeb Initiative clearing-house.
FINLAND The Finnish Government pledged half a million Euros for the LifeWeb Initiative at the 9th meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Minister of Environment Paula Lehtomäki stated that “The LifeWeb Initiative will have a great impact worldwide. Losing biological diversity is a threat comparable to climate change and we must fight against it. Biologically diverse forests form a crucial piece of the solution in the battle against climate change and natural disasters. Preserving biological diversity is also a lifeline for local communities.” In March 2010, the government of Finland stated that it will look for further opportunities to support nature conservation projects through the LifeWeb Initiative.
SPAIN The government of Spain has committed €5 million to support the implementation of the CBD’s Programme of Work on Protected Areas in 2010-11. Projects have been selected by the United Nations Environmental Programme.
OTHER DONORS A number of other public and private donors are increasingly exploring opportunities to support LifeWeb Expressions of Interest for the multiple benefits to ecosystem health, climate change solutions and livelihoods they generate.