Demonstration Projects

Proponent
Subsecretary of Environment of Argentina

Collaborators
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (Brazil)

This project is designed to help restore the population of the brown howler monkey (Alouatta Guariba) in the Argentine Atlantic Forest with the technical cooperation of Brazil. While the five primate species found in Argentina are threatened with extinction, the brown howler monkey is at extreme risk. Reintroduction of the species is considered as a priority and could be carried out in ten potential areas of the Misiones region. Since there is no brown howler monkey in captivity in Argentina, the individuals to be reintroduced must be imported from Brazil, the only other country where the species inhabits. The project will entail carrying out training of Argentine technicians and scientists on ex situ management and engagement with local community members on the importance of the conservation of the species.

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Status: Selected

Proponents
University of Bamenda
and
College of Technology

Collaborators
BOZ Life Science Research and Teaching Institute (USA)

This collaborative research project aims to investigate the effects of potential pollutants and bycatch on the genetic diversity of shark and ray populations along the Cameroon coastline, the two major threats affecting the species’ population structures. The region faces challenges due to increasing anthropogenic activities leading to environmental degradation. In particular, pollution from various sources poses a significant risk to the health and genetic diversity of shark and ray populations. Additionally, bycatch incidents in fishing activities result in further exacerbating population decline and genetic vulnerabilities. The study will consist in conducting data collection in bycatch hotspots on the Cameroon coastline, to then carry out genetic analysis and tissue-specific targeted analysis of 153 primary pollutants. Working with local fishing communities, the data will be used to develop relevant evidence-based conservation strategies.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Corales de Paz

Collaborators
Reef Check (Dominican Republic)

The goal of this project is to build on the work developed during the BBI-funded project under Round 4, focusing on increasing reef surveys and real-time reporting, fostering environmental stewardship, and supporting decision-making for coral reef conservation through the training of individual divers. Coral reefs face numerous challenges, including diseases and bleaching events. Due to limited resources, many reef areas are not adequately monitored, resulting in critical gaps in data collection and reporting. Citizen science serves as a valuable tool provide early warnings of events for environmental organizations to take action. Reef Check is a standardized protocol utilized for monitoring the health of coral reefs globally. The project aims to help expanding the number of certified Reef Check trainers in both Colombia and the Dominican Republic to broaden the impact areas of coral reef monitoring efforts.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
TBC

Collaborators
Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama); Re:Wild (Costa Rica); Nicaragua Tapir Project (Nicaragua); Tapir Panama (Panama); Conservando al Danto Honduras (Honduras); Guatemala Baird's Tapir Conservation Program (Guatemala)

This project is designed to foster technical and scientific cooperation among like-minded organizations in Mesoamerica working on the protection of Baird’s tapirs through capacity building, research, direct conservation actions, and awareness campaigns. The Baird’s tapir plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of neotropical forest ecosystems of Mesoamerica, which constitutes a biodiversity hotspot, but various human-caused factors have resulted in the endangered status of the species. This project will focus on compiling and organizing previously collected data, conducting and publishing a Green Status assessment for the Baird's tapir, and further developing the Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance’s Theory of Change to inform future priorities for collaboration based on the results of the Green Status assessment.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Grupo Jaragua

Collaborators
BirdsCaribbean (USA)

This project is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the capacity of seabird conservationists throughout the Caribbean region using training, a collaborative survey, and technical assistance. There are only about 100 practitioners directly engaged in seabird conservation across the Caribbean. They are concerned with meta-populations of over 20 species that move across 30 political territories and seek out remote areas to breed, making their study difficult and expensive. The region is globally important to seabird populations, which play a vital role in sustaining the local ecology. Yet Caribbean seabirds are highly vulnerable to the threats of coastal development, invasive species, and climate change. The goal of the project is to help empower territories to generate and utilize data to inform their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, including the designation of Key Biodiversity Areas.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Institute of Forest Biodiversity (ICFRE)

Collaborators
Armale Innovation Pvt. Ltd (Nepal)

This project focuses on developing research on potential natural regeneration after a wildfire, with a view to improving the functional restoration of deciduous forests. Existing knowledge on fire occurrences and modern tools and techniques help determine the response to fire of different landscapes through indicators such as forest cover and canopy density. However, these focus mainly on plant communities, with the assumption that maintaining flora maintains fauna. The response of fauna to fire regimes is poorly known, which makes it difficult to predict the overall recovery of ecosystem processes. The team will prepare a Success Likelihood Index to infer success probability of passive recovery under various fire regimes and site characteristics and validate the Index through ground surveys so that it can be integrated in forest governance plans.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Indonesia Biru Foundation

Collaborators
Reef Support (Netherlands)

This project aims to integrate community efforts from the Indonesia Biru Foundation with advanced technological solutions developed by Dutch-based Reef Support to monitor and enhance the conservation and sustainable management of the Cemare Mangrove ecosystem in Lombok. Indonesia boasts extensive coastlines and marine territories, contributing to its status as home to the world's largest mangrove forest. These mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in supporting various life forms, among other benefits. Unfortunately, illegal logging, coupled with insufficient public awareness and the broader challenge of waste management, have led to significant ecological harm, even resulting in the extinction of certain mangrove species. The partners will work together to implement advanced remote sensing and computer vision technologies to enable more accurate and efficient data collection, analysis, and environmental management, crucial for understanding ecosystem health, detecting changes, and guiding restoration efforts.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

Collaborators
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

A joint initiative of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in Iran and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, this project focuses on identifying environmental factors harming rohida (Tecomella Undulata) habitat and assessing the severity of these impacts. Rohida is a flowering tree that is restricted to endangered thin forest habitats in Oman, Iran and India. In addition to numerous ornamental, industrial and agroforestry applications, rohida is considered a valuable medicinal species due to active ingredients, which have proven effects in the treatment of major diseases. The project partners will model suitable habitats of rohida to predict effects of global change, investigate environmental constraints and determining potential cultivation in other suitable areas, educate local communities on sustainable exploitation and conservation, and mobilize local volunteer conservation groups to preserve vital habitat.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Royal Scientific Society

Collaborators
Environment Authority (Oman); EcoHealth Alliance (USA)

The goal of this project is to build on the work developed during the BBI-funded project under Round 4, focusing on studying the biodiversity and bio distribution of bat species across Jordan and Oman using bat echolocation instruments. Bats use ultrasound waves to locate and prey. Each species has a distinctive frequency that differ from the ones produced by other species. Wildlife specialists use this feature to identify bat species without capturing, handling, or taking samples. By monitoring bat activity through acoustic readings, scientists can assess the health and integrity of ecosystems and detect changes that can indicate broader environmental shifts. The partners will receive training on how to use Echo Meter devices to collect and analyze acoustic readings. The data thus obtained will be made available to relevant stakeholders, including authorities, wildlife researchers, and ecologists.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
National Museums of Kenya

Collaborators
University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); SEOSAW: A Socio-Ecological Observatory for the Study of African Woodlands (UK)

This project seeks to strengthen the capacity of local communities and other stakeholders in the coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania to conserve threatened species. The coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania belong to the Zanzibar- Inhambane ecosystem, which is ranked among the 35 biodiversity hotspots of the world. However, accelerated anthropogenic disturbances, including agriculture, logging, human settlement, and mining, experienced in these forests have resulted in conspicuous alterations of the ecosystems in the region. This project endeavors to document and monitor the status of threatened species through the establishment of Permanent Sampling Plots in cultural communities based on established protocols; strengthen locally-led community conservation through capacity building and benchmarking and demonstrations of alternative sources of income; and restore the degraded coastal habitat through tree planting to enhance connectivity and improve genetic diversity.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic

Collaborators
National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (Belarus)

The purpose of this project is to establish, under the guidance of the Belarus National Academy of Sciences, a Coordination Resource Biosafety Centre whose purpose will be to provide technical guidance and assistance on biosafety matters, with a view to ensuring the safe use of modern biotechnological products in the country. The Kyrgyz Republic accessed the Cartagena Protocol in 2005. Since then, efforts have been made to draft laws related to its obligations under the Protocol, but limited institutional, technical and human resources have hindered their adoption. The creation of a dedicated Centre will allow to mobilize experts in different fields related to biosafety to support the development of sound decision-making processes and a regulatory enforcement mechanism, specifically pertaining to Living Modified Organism (LMO) identification, risk assessment and socio-economic assessment.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Saint Joseph University of Beirut

Collaborators
National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (Tunisia); Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (Cote d'Ivoire); iBOL (Canada); European Forest Institute-Mediterranean Facility (Spain)

In partnership with International Barcode of Life, this project focuses on providing technical support on DNA barcoding and metabarcoding to three countries, in an effort to democratize access to these technologies. DNA barcoding and metabarcoding have revolutionized conservation efforts by enhancing species identification, understanding ecosystem dynamics, conserving endangered species, and facilitating ecological restoration. However, the widespread adoption of these technologies has been limited due to the technical expertise required and the need for extensive reference libraries tailored to different ecosystems. The project will offer an intensive training program on DNA barcoding, blending theoretical knowledge and practical field experience, to key stakeholders of Lebanon, Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia and facilitate the establishment of a collaborative network of knowledge and practice spanning across borders.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Instituto Politécnico Nacional

Collaborators
University of Saskatchewan (Canada); University of Vermont (USA)

The objective of this project is to achieve the formalization of a set of community-based conservation areas in the Oaxaca region and the preparation of a framework for their participatory management by local actors. A social inclusive model for conservation, consisting of officially certified Voluntary Conservation Areas (VCA), has been implemented in Mexico since 2008. VCAs currently cover parts of the lands of 19 ethnic groups in the country but are lacking in other high-biodiversity regions such as Oaxaca. With the support of Canadian and American specialists, the project will generate integral technical diagnostics on nine indigenous and Afro-Mexican common properties with conservation potential, with a view to requesting their certification as VCAs. This will include a training strategy for community members and the establishment of a platform sharing information on the regional conservation context, opportunities and progress.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Association for Ecology EKOMENLOG Ohrid

Collaborators
Albanian Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development (Albania)

This collaborative pilot initiative focuses on establishing a Biodiversity Genetic Database and implementing DNA barcoding technology for the identification of a select group of alien and endangered species in Lake Ohrid, with a view to testing the viability of these innovative, cross-border approaches and fostering a foundation for potential future expansion. Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site shared between North Macedonia and Albania, faces pressing biodiversity-related challenges that demand urgent interventions. Specific problems and gaps previously identified include a lack of comprehensive biodiversity data in the region, the threats posed by invasive alien species, and the status of endangered species and ecosystem vulnerability. These problems are compounded by limited institutional and technological capacities and the absence of strategic cross-border collaboration, which the project seeks to address.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Al-Quds Open University

Collaborators
Siirt University (Türkiye)

This project will bring together two universities from Palestine and Türkiye to support the conservation of two endangered species of iris flowers (Iris lortetii and Iris pseudo caucasia). Türkiye hosts significant plant biodiversity and stands out for its natural ornamental plants. However, developing standardized varieties through breeding is a new initiative, and traded species are often harvested from the wild, leading to a gradual decline in populations. Palestine hosts the Iris lortetii, considered endangered, as it is impacted by overcollection from the wild in habitats threatened by climate change. This indicates a need to scale up ex situ conservation efforts to support in situ activities in both countries. To do so, the project partners will receive training on micropropagation. They will also promote public awareness, organize field visits to local communities, and establish iris collection sites on campus.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Kunua Conservation Network

Collaborators
University of Melbourne (Australia); Gardiens Des Iles (New Caledonia, France); Baru Conservation Alliance (Solomon Islands); Solomon Islands National University (Solomon Islands); Vanuatu Government (Vanuatu); Learn to Serve Vanuatu (Vanuatu); Monash University (PNG)

This project is designed to foster cooperation among Melanesian countries to advance insights into the status, structure, efficacy, strengths, and weaknesses of customary management protocols in tropical island systems, with a specific focus on tambu or tabu areas currently practiced across many islands in the Pacific region. Traditional conservation practices, known as tambu or tabu areas, are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Melanesian communities. These customary management practices usually incorporate seasonal bans on harvesting, temporary closed areas, and restrictions on harvests at certain times, places, species or by certain people. Despite their importance, there is limited literature guiding the integration of these systems with Western conservation models. A four-day symposium will be organized to allow Indigenous researchers and practitioners, including young and emerging leaders, to meet, share ideas and experiences, and form international collaborations.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Amazon Research Internacional

Collaborators
Earth Law Center (USA)

This project aims to safeguard the biodiversity of the Amazon by creating the first species map of stingless bees, conducting comprehensive threat assessments, and implementing mitigation strategies. Amazonian stingless bees have been a cornerstone for ecological, social and cultural practices among Peruvian Amazonian communities for centuries. Though they play a pivotal role in pollination and regeneration of degraded ecosystems, their existence is under threat due to escalating environmental and human pressures. Collaborating with indigenous communities, the project will create a species map using GPS tracking and species identification, while correlating findings with environmental data to understand the impact of deforestation on bees. It will also generate the first national biocultural community protocol to guarantee the protection of indigenous traditional knowledge regarding stingless bees and empower local communities through capacity-building programs.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority

Collaborators
WildLandscapes International (USA); 51 Degrees Ltd. (Kenya)

This collaborative initiative aims to address critical challenges in the Seychelles' ecosystems by leveraging advanced technology. The Seychelles, celebrated for its biodiversity and unique ecosystems, is confronted with many conservation challenges that threaten its delicate ecological balance. These include habitat loss, the proliferation of invasive species, the impacts of climate change, illegal wildlife trade, and a deficit in comprehensive monitoring systems. The installation of a software ecosystem allowing real-time visualization of field reporting, asset tracking, and comprehensive management capabilities will enable the creation of an integrated protected area management platform and monitoring system in the country. This, in turn, will allow the implementation of data-driven conservation strategies, policies, and protocols, and improved knowledge-sharing and collaboration between local communities and government authorities to contribute towards conservation efforts.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI)

This cross-border project seeks to establish a sustainable conservation approach for the Asiatic cheetah through the active engagement of local communities. The Asiatic cheetah subspecies is on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 30 individuals remaining in one region of Iran. Despite two decades of conservation efforts, most of the population has vanished from their historical ranges. Human-wildlife conflicts, including ranching, mining, and urban development, continue to pose significant threats to its habitats. Iran has had limited access to international experience in biodiversity conservation, which has hindered progress. With the support of experts from South Africa, this participatory action research initiative will assist local organizations to deepen the understanding of local communities on the importance of conservation and encouraging active participation in devising solutions, including through the generation of shared benefits for residents.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
South Sudanese Youth Biodiversity Network

Collaborators
Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network (Kenya); Austrian Youth Biodiversity Network (Austria)

The objective of the project is to build the capacity of young people, government officials, women groups, and indigenous people to understand the importance of conservation and biodiversity and engage in public action, joint research, and international technical cooperation on halting biodiversity loss. South Sudan is home to the world’s second-largest land mammal migration and to one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems, hosting many endangered mammalian species, migratory birds, and fish populations. However, the country has not taken advantage of economic opportunities that could arise from biodiversity, such as tourism. The South Sudanese Youth Biodiversity Network, a newly established national chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network is seeking the technical and knowledge assistance of the Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network and the Austrian Youth Biodiversity Network to conduct the training.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Ynanch-Vepa

Collaborators
National Water Partnership of Georgia; Batumi State University (Georgia)

The present initiative is part of a program aimed to build the capacity of Turkmenistan to promote the rational use of nature resources and support the development of environmentally friendly business. While Turkmenistan hosts reserves and nature sanctuaries, the country does not have any national park, which would allow to reconcile the interests of environmentalists and of local communities by gaining benefits from nature via the development of eco-friendly business. Turkmenistan is poorly informed on the day-to-day operations of national parks, including activities and financial arrangements needed for them to be self-sustainable. Turkmenistan is partnering with Georgia to organize a study tour to Kolkheti National Park for specialists to acquaint themselves with international best practices in terms of the establishment and operations of national parks through tri-partite partnerships (state organizations, scientific communities and expert organizations).

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Status: Selected

Proponent
National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI)

Collaborators
Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tanzania)

The objective of this project is to build capacity on environmental metabarcoding (eDNA) and pilot a collaborative transboundary working group for the conservation, management, and research of aquatic ecosystems in East Africa. Owing to recent advances in sequencing and bioinformatics, the use of eDNA has developed into a cost-effective, rapid, and non-invasive method for collecting and analyzing biological samples from large portions of the environment without the necessity of isolating the target species. Uganda and Tanzania will partner up to set up a working group composed of researchers from both countries, who will then receive technical training on eDNA metabarcoding and collect data on threatened fish species, aquatic invasive species and diseases vectors. Members of the working group will share knowledge and experience with a view to developing long-term collaborative research projects.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Fujairah Research Centre

Collaborators
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (India)

This project will focus on ocean acidification monitoring in the Gulf of Oman. Data on critical ocean chemistry parameters will be collected in real time to understand ocean acidification trends, identify vulnerable species, track impacts on fisheries and aquaculture, and develop adaptive strategies. India and the United Arab Emirates share the same concerns over the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and livelihoods of coastal communities in the Indian Ocean. In particular, the region is home to a high diversity of corals and oyster reefs, which are now in decline. Project partners will establish a readily accessible and standardized ocean acidification monitoring system, providing open-source data crucial for researchers, policymakers, and the public, with a view to guiding the development and implementation of effective ocean conservation and adaptation strategies.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Vietnam National University

Collaborators
Pukyong National University (South Korea)

By leveraging cutting-edge molecular techniques and fostering scientific cooperation, this project aims to generate insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of fishes in Vietnam, with a view to informing conservation strategies, facilitate sustainable management practices, and promote the responsible utilization of freshwater resources. Determining the distribution of species plays an important role in resource management and species conservation. Moreover, fish biodiversity is a reliable bioindicator of ecosystem status because of their sensitivity to environmental changes such as pollution, and climate change. Cooperation will entail the development and standardization of environmental DNA (eDNA)-based screening techniques as basis for assessing biodiversity through non-invasive sampling methods and the establishment of a DNA library of fishes from the Mekong and Red River basins to obtain a comprehensive understanding of fish diversity at the national level.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Subsecretary of Environment of Argentina

Collaborators
Ministry of Environment and Climate Change (Brazil)

This project is designed to help restore the population of the brown howler monkey (Alouatta Guariba) in the Argentine Atlantic Forest with the technical cooperation of Brazil. While the five primate species found in Argentina are threatened with extinction, the brown howler monkey is at extreme risk. Reintroduction of the species is considered as a priority and could be carried out in ten potential areas of the Misiones region. Since there is no brown howler monkey in captivity in Argentina, the individuals to be reintroduced must be imported from Brazil, the only other country where the species inhabits. The project will entail carrying out training of Argentine technicians and scientists on ex situ management and engagement with local community members on the importance of the conservation of the species.

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Status: Selected

Proponents
University of Bamenda
and
College of Technology

Collaborators
BOZ Life Science Research and Teaching Institute (USA)

This collaborative research project aims to investigate the effects of potential pollutants and bycatch on the genetic diversity of shark and ray populations along the Cameroon coastline, the two major threats affecting the species’ population structures. The region faces challenges due to increasing anthropogenic activities leading to environmental degradation. In particular, pollution from various sources poses a significant risk to the health and genetic diversity of shark and ray populations. Additionally, bycatch incidents in fishing activities result in further exacerbating population decline and genetic vulnerabilities. The study will consist in conducting data collection in bycatch hotspots on the Cameroon coastline, to then carry out genetic analysis and tissue-specific targeted analysis of 153 primary pollutants. Working with local fishing communities, the data will be used to develop relevant evidence-based conservation strategies.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Corales de Paz

Collaborators
Reef Check (Dominican Republic)

The goal of this project is to build on the work developed during the BBI-funded project under Round 4, focusing on increasing reef surveys and real-time reporting, fostering environmental stewardship, and supporting decision-making for coral reef conservation through the training of individual divers. Coral reefs face numerous challenges, including diseases and bleaching events. Due to limited resources, many reef areas are not adequately monitored, resulting in critical gaps in data collection and reporting. Citizen science serves as a valuable tool provide early warnings of events for environmental organizations to take action. Reef Check is a standardized protocol utilized for monitoring the health of coral reefs globally. The project aims to help expanding the number of certified Reef Check trainers in both Colombia and the Dominican Republic to broaden the impact areas of coral reef monitoring efforts.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
TBC

Collaborators
Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance (Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama); Re:Wild (Costa Rica); Nicaragua Tapir Project (Nicaragua); Tapir Panama (Panama); Conservando al Danto Honduras (Honduras); Guatemala Baird's Tapir Conservation Program (Guatemala)

This project is designed to foster technical and scientific cooperation among like-minded organizations in Mesoamerica working on the protection of Baird’s tapirs through capacity building, research, direct conservation actions, and awareness campaigns. The Baird’s tapir plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of neotropical forest ecosystems of Mesoamerica, which constitutes a biodiversity hotspot, but various human-caused factors have resulted in the endangered status of the species. This project will focus on compiling and organizing previously collected data, conducting and publishing a Green Status assessment for the Baird's tapir, and further developing the Baird’s Tapir Survival Alliance’s Theory of Change to inform future priorities for collaboration based on the results of the Green Status assessment.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Grupo Jaragua

Collaborators
BirdsCaribbean (USA)

This project is part of an ongoing effort to enhance the capacity of seabird conservationists throughout the Caribbean region using training, a collaborative survey, and technical assistance. There are only about 100 practitioners directly engaged in seabird conservation across the Caribbean. They are concerned with meta-populations of over 20 species that move across 30 political territories and seek out remote areas to breed, making their study difficult and expensive. The region is globally important to seabird populations, which play a vital role in sustaining the local ecology. Yet Caribbean seabirds are highly vulnerable to the threats of coastal development, invasive species, and climate change. The goal of the project is to help empower territories to generate and utilize data to inform their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans, including the designation of Key Biodiversity Areas.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Institute of Forest Biodiversity (ICFRE)

Collaborators
Armale Innovation Pvt. Ltd (Nepal)

This project focuses on developing research on potential natural regeneration after a wildfire, with a view to improving the functional restoration of deciduous forests. Existing knowledge on fire occurrences and modern tools and techniques help determine the response to fire of different landscapes through indicators such as forest cover and canopy density. However, these focus mainly on plant communities, with the assumption that maintaining flora maintains fauna. The response of fauna to fire regimes is poorly known, which makes it difficult to predict the overall recovery of ecosystem processes. The team will prepare a Success Likelihood Index to infer success probability of passive recovery under various fire regimes and site characteristics and validate the Index through ground surveys so that it can be integrated in forest governance plans.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Indonesia Biru Foundation

Collaborators
Reef Support (Netherlands)

This project aims to integrate community efforts from the Indonesia Biru Foundation with advanced technological solutions developed by Dutch-based Reef Support to monitor and enhance the conservation and sustainable management of the Cemare Mangrove ecosystem in Lombok. Indonesia boasts extensive coastlines and marine territories, contributing to its status as home to the world's largest mangrove forest. These mangrove ecosystems play a crucial role in supporting various life forms, among other benefits. Unfortunately, illegal logging, coupled with insufficient public awareness and the broader challenge of waste management, have led to significant ecological harm, even resulting in the extinction of certain mangrove species. The partners will work together to implement advanced remote sensing and computer vision technologies to enable more accurate and efficient data collection, analysis, and environmental management, crucial for understanding ecosystem health, detecting changes, and guiding restoration efforts.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman

Collaborators
University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

A joint initiative of Shahid Bahonar University of Kerman in Iran and the University of Copenhagen in Denmark, this project focuses on identifying environmental factors harming rohida (Tecomella Undulata) habitat and assessing the severity of these impacts. Rohida is a flowering tree that is restricted to endangered thin forest habitats in Oman, Iran and India. In addition to numerous ornamental, industrial and agroforestry applications, rohida is considered a valuable medicinal species due to active ingredients, which have proven effects in the treatment of major diseases. The project partners will model suitable habitats of rohida to predict effects of global change, investigate environmental constraints and determining potential cultivation in other suitable areas, educate local communities on sustainable exploitation and conservation, and mobilize local volunteer conservation groups to preserve vital habitat.

---

Status: Selected

Proponent
Royal Scientific Society

Collaborators
Environment Authority (Oman); EcoHealth Alliance (USA)

The goal of this project is to build on the work developed during the BBI-funded project under Round 4, focusing on studying the biodiversity and bio distribution of bat species across Jordan and Oman using bat echolocation instruments. Bats use ultrasound waves to locate and prey. Each species has a distinctive frequency that differ from the ones produced by other species. Wildlife specialists use this feature to identify bat species without capturing, handling, or taking samples. By monitoring bat activity through acoustic readings, scientists can assess the health and integrity of ecosystems and detect changes that can indicate broader environmental shifts. The partners will receive training on how to use Echo Meter devices to collect and analyze acoustic readings. The data thus obtained will be made available to relevant stakeholders, including authorities, wildlife researchers, and ecologists.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
National Museums of Kenya

Collaborators
University of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania); SEOSAW: A Socio-Ecological Observatory for the Study of African Woodlands (UK)

This project seeks to strengthen the capacity of local communities and other stakeholders in the coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania to conserve threatened species. The coastal forests of Kenya and Tanzania belong to the Zanzibar- Inhambane ecosystem, which is ranked among the 35 biodiversity hotspots of the world. However, accelerated anthropogenic disturbances, including agriculture, logging, human settlement, and mining, experienced in these forests have resulted in conspicuous alterations of the ecosystems in the region. This project endeavors to document and monitor the status of threatened species through the establishment of Permanent Sampling Plots in cultural communities based on established protocols; strengthen locally-led community conservation through capacity building and benchmarking and demonstrations of alternative sources of income; and restore the degraded coastal habitat through tree planting to enhance connectivity and improve genetic diversity.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic

Collaborators
National Academy of Sciences of Belarus (Belarus)

The purpose of this project is to establish, under the guidance of the Belarus National Academy of Sciences, a Coordination Resource Biosafety Centre whose purpose will be to provide technical guidance and assistance on biosafety matters, with a view to ensuring the safe use of modern biotechnological products in the country. The Kyrgyz Republic accessed the Cartagena Protocol in 2005. Since then, efforts have been made to draft laws related to its obligations under the Protocol, but limited institutional, technical and human resources have hindered their adoption. The creation of a dedicated Centre will allow to mobilize experts in different fields related to biosafety to support the development of sound decision-making processes and a regulatory enforcement mechanism, specifically pertaining to Living Modified Organism (LMO) identification, risk assessment and socio-economic assessment.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Saint Joseph University of Beirut

Collaborators
National Research Institute of Rural Engineering, Water and Forests (Tunisia); Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (Cote d'Ivoire); iBOL (Canada); European Forest Institute-Mediterranean Facility (Spain)

In partnership with International Barcode of Life, this project focuses on providing technical support on DNA barcoding and metabarcoding to three countries, in an effort to democratize access to these technologies. DNA barcoding and metabarcoding have revolutionized conservation efforts by enhancing species identification, understanding ecosystem dynamics, conserving endangered species, and facilitating ecological restoration. However, the widespread adoption of these technologies has been limited due to the technical expertise required and the need for extensive reference libraries tailored to different ecosystems. The project will offer an intensive training program on DNA barcoding, blending theoretical knowledge and practical field experience, to key stakeholders of Lebanon, Cote d’Ivoire and Tunisia and facilitate the establishment of a collaborative network of knowledge and practice spanning across borders.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Instituto Politécnico Nacional

Collaborators
University of Saskatchewan (Canada); University of Vermont (USA)

The objective of this project is to achieve the formalization of a set of community-based conservation areas in the Oaxaca region and the preparation of a framework for their participatory management by local actors. A social inclusive model for conservation, consisting of officially certified Voluntary Conservation Areas (VCA), has been implemented in Mexico since 2008. VCAs currently cover parts of the lands of 19 ethnic groups in the country but are lacking in other high-biodiversity regions such as Oaxaca. With the support of Canadian and American specialists, the project will generate integral technical diagnostics on nine indigenous and Afro-Mexican common properties with conservation potential, with a view to requesting their certification as VCAs. This will include a training strategy for community members and the establishment of a platform sharing information on the regional conservation context, opportunities and progress.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Association for Ecology EKOMENLOG Ohrid

Collaborators
Albanian Center for Environmental Protection and Sustainable Development (Albania)

This collaborative pilot initiative focuses on establishing a Biodiversity Genetic Database and implementing DNA barcoding technology for the identification of a select group of alien and endangered species in Lake Ohrid, with a view to testing the viability of these innovative, cross-border approaches and fostering a foundation for potential future expansion. Lake Ohrid, a UNESCO World Heritage site shared between North Macedonia and Albania, faces pressing biodiversity-related challenges that demand urgent interventions. Specific problems and gaps previously identified include a lack of comprehensive biodiversity data in the region, the threats posed by invasive alien species, and the status of endangered species and ecosystem vulnerability. These problems are compounded by limited institutional and technological capacities and the absence of strategic cross-border collaboration, which the project seeks to address.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Al-Quds Open University

Collaborators
Siirt University (Türkiye)

This project will bring together two universities from Palestine and Türkiye to support the conservation of two endangered species of iris flowers (Iris lortetii and Iris pseudo caucasia). Türkiye hosts significant plant biodiversity and stands out for its natural ornamental plants. However, developing standardized varieties through breeding is a new initiative, and traded species are often harvested from the wild, leading to a gradual decline in populations. Palestine hosts the Iris lortetii, considered endangered, as it is impacted by overcollection from the wild in habitats threatened by climate change. This indicates a need to scale up ex situ conservation efforts to support in situ activities in both countries. To do so, the project partners will receive training on micropropagation. They will also promote public awareness, organize field visits to local communities, and establish iris collection sites on campus.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Kunua Conservation Network

Collaborators
University of Melbourne (Australia); Gardiens Des Iles (New Caledonia, France); Baru Conservation Alliance (Solomon Islands); Solomon Islands National University (Solomon Islands); Vanuatu Government (Vanuatu); Learn to Serve Vanuatu (Vanuatu); Monash University (PNG)

This project is designed to foster cooperation among Melanesian countries to advance insights into the status, structure, efficacy, strengths, and weaknesses of customary management protocols in tropical island systems, with a specific focus on tambu or tabu areas currently practiced across many islands in the Pacific region. Traditional conservation practices, known as tambu or tabu areas, are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage of Melanesian communities. These customary management practices usually incorporate seasonal bans on harvesting, temporary closed areas, and restrictions on harvests at certain times, places, species or by certain people. Despite their importance, there is limited literature guiding the integration of these systems with Western conservation models. A four-day symposium will be organized to allow Indigenous researchers and practitioners, including young and emerging leaders, to meet, share ideas and experiences, and form international collaborations.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Amazon Research Internacional

Collaborators
Earth Law Center (USA)

This project aims to safeguard the biodiversity of the Amazon by creating the first species map of stingless bees, conducting comprehensive threat assessments, and implementing mitigation strategies. Amazonian stingless bees have been a cornerstone for ecological, social and cultural practices among Peruvian Amazonian communities for centuries. Though they play a pivotal role in pollination and regeneration of degraded ecosystems, their existence is under threat due to escalating environmental and human pressures. Collaborating with indigenous communities, the project will create a species map using GPS tracking and species identification, while correlating findings with environmental data to understand the impact of deforestation on bees. It will also generate the first national biocultural community protocol to guarantee the protection of indigenous traditional knowledge regarding stingless bees and empower local communities through capacity-building programs.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Seychelles Parks and Gardens Authority

Collaborators
WildLandscapes International (USA); 51 Degrees Ltd. (Kenya)

This collaborative initiative aims to address critical challenges in the Seychelles' ecosystems by leveraging advanced technology. The Seychelles, celebrated for its biodiversity and unique ecosystems, is confronted with many conservation challenges that threaten its delicate ecological balance. These include habitat loss, the proliferation of invasive species, the impacts of climate change, illegal wildlife trade, and a deficit in comprehensive monitoring systems. The installation of a software ecosystem allowing real-time visualization of field reporting, asset tracking, and comprehensive management capabilities will enable the creation of an integrated protected area management platform and monitoring system in the country. This, in turn, will allow the implementation of data-driven conservation strategies, policies, and protocols, and improved knowledge-sharing and collaboration between local communities and government authorities to contribute towards conservation efforts.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
The Metapopulation Initiative (TMI)

This cross-border project seeks to establish a sustainable conservation approach for the Asiatic cheetah through the active engagement of local communities. The Asiatic cheetah subspecies is on the brink of extinction, with fewer than 30 individuals remaining in one region of Iran. Despite two decades of conservation efforts, most of the population has vanished from their historical ranges. Human-wildlife conflicts, including ranching, mining, and urban development, continue to pose significant threats to its habitats. Iran has had limited access to international experience in biodiversity conservation, which has hindered progress. With the support of experts from South Africa, this participatory action research initiative will assist local organizations to deepen the understanding of local communities on the importance of conservation and encouraging active participation in devising solutions, including through the generation of shared benefits for residents.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
South Sudanese Youth Biodiversity Network

Collaborators
Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network (Kenya); Austrian Youth Biodiversity Network (Austria)

The objective of the project is to build the capacity of young people, government officials, women groups, and indigenous people to understand the importance of conservation and biodiversity and engage in public action, joint research, and international technical cooperation on halting biodiversity loss. South Sudan is home to the world’s second-largest land mammal migration and to one of the world’s largest freshwater ecosystems, hosting many endangered mammalian species, migratory birds, and fish populations. However, the country has not taken advantage of economic opportunities that could arise from biodiversity, such as tourism. The South Sudanese Youth Biodiversity Network, a newly established national chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network is seeking the technical and knowledge assistance of the Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network and the Austrian Youth Biodiversity Network to conduct the training.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Ynanch-Vepa

Collaborators
National Water Partnership of Georgia; Batumi State University (Georgia)

The present initiative is part of a program aimed to build the capacity of Turkmenistan to promote the rational use of nature resources and support the development of environmentally friendly business. While Turkmenistan hosts reserves and nature sanctuaries, the country does not have any national park, which would allow to reconcile the interests of environmentalists and of local communities by gaining benefits from nature via the development of eco-friendly business. Turkmenistan is poorly informed on the day-to-day operations of national parks, including activities and financial arrangements needed for them to be self-sustainable. Turkmenistan is partnering with Georgia to organize a study tour to Kolkheti National Park for specialists to acquaint themselves with international best practices in terms of the establishment and operations of national parks through tri-partite partnerships (state organizations, scientific communities and expert organizations).

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Status: Selected

Proponent
National Fisheries Resources Research Institute (NaFIRRI)

Collaborators
Tanzania Fisheries Research Institute (Tanzania)

The objective of this project is to build capacity on environmental metabarcoding (eDNA) and pilot a collaborative transboundary working group for the conservation, management, and research of aquatic ecosystems in East Africa. Owing to recent advances in sequencing and bioinformatics, the use of eDNA has developed into a cost-effective, rapid, and non-invasive method for collecting and analyzing biological samples from large portions of the environment without the necessity of isolating the target species. Uganda and Tanzania will partner up to set up a working group composed of researchers from both countries, who will then receive technical training on eDNA metabarcoding and collect data on threatened fish species, aquatic invasive species and diseases vectors. Members of the working group will share knowledge and experience with a view to developing long-term collaborative research projects.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Fujairah Research Centre

Collaborators
Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata (India)

This project will focus on ocean acidification monitoring in the Gulf of Oman. Data on critical ocean chemistry parameters will be collected in real time to understand ocean acidification trends, identify vulnerable species, track impacts on fisheries and aquaculture, and develop adaptive strategies. India and the United Arab Emirates share the same concerns over the impacts of ocean acidification on marine ecosystems and livelihoods of coastal communities in the Indian Ocean. In particular, the region is home to a high diversity of corals and oyster reefs, which are now in decline. Project partners will establish a readily accessible and standardized ocean acidification monitoring system, providing open-source data crucial for researchers, policymakers, and the public, with a view to guiding the development and implementation of effective ocean conservation and adaptation strategies.

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Status: Selected

Proponent
Vietnam National University

Collaborators
Pukyong National University (South Korea)

By leveraging cutting-edge molecular techniques and fostering scientific cooperation, this project aims to generate insights into the genetic diversity and evolutionary history of fishes in Vietnam, with a view to informing conservation strategies, facilitate sustainable management practices, and promote the responsible utilization of freshwater resources. Determining the distribution of species plays an important role in resource management and species conservation. Moreover, fish biodiversity is a reliable bioindicator of ecosystem status because of their sensitivity to environmental changes such as pollution, and climate change. Cooperation will entail the development and standardization of environmental DNA (eDNA)-based screening techniques as basis for assessing biodiversity through non-invasive sampling methods and the establishment of a DNA library of fishes from the Mekong and Red River basins to obtain a comprehensive understanding of fish diversity at the national level.

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Status: Selected