Stories

This is a collection of stories on local action for global impact, shared by partners from around the world as a contribution to the IDB 2026 campaign. The views expressed in the articles listed below are those of the authors and the protagonists. They do not necessarily represent the views of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Towards a whole-of-society push for biodiversity 

The CBD Secretariat has recently activated a new feature in the Online Reporting Tool (ORT) allowing actors other than national governments to submit their commitments to the global endeavor to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. Representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities, subnational governments, cities and other local authorities, intergovernmental organizations, other multilateral environmental agreements, non-governmental organizations, women, youth, research organizations, the business and finance community, and representatives of sectors related to or dependent on biodiversity are invited to contribute.. Learn more
 

From your neighbourhood to global policy: the power of citizen science  

What if a walk in your neighbourhood could contribute to global science? Through citizen science, people everywhere are documenting species, tracking environmental change, and generating data that supports conservation research and policy. These everyday observations are helping fill critical knowledge gaps about the natural world. Learn how you and others around the world can get involved.
 

GEF-SGP: supporting local action for global impact since 1992 

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) supports community-led initiatives in addressing global environmental issues, including biodiversity loss, through a decentralized, country-level delivery mechanism. Since 1992, the SGP has allocated $1.5 billion in grants to local actors, including representatives of indigenous peoples and local communities, in 136 countries. Full story
 

Connecting youth to learn and take action on biodiversity loss and climate change

Education Nature Nexus (ENN) is a new global initiative that will launch on 22 May 2026. Led by the Centre for Global Education in partnership with WWF, ENN connects students aged 12-18 from more than 80 countries to learn, collaborate and take action on biodiversity and climate issues. The program includes exchanges, dialogues, art projects, and activities aimed at helping young people engage meaningfully with global biodiversity challenges, including efforts to achieve the targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework by 2030. Learn more 
 

A global civil society mobilisation for freshwater

In partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme, a network of Rotary and Rotaract clubs lead efforts to protect, restore, and sustain freshwater ecosystems through the initiative Community Action for Fresh Water.  Over 200 clubs are coming forward with initiatives covering citizen science, watershed restoration, clean-ups, and advocacy to protect local streams, rivers, lakes and wetlands. Learn more

Working with nature in Kenya’s drylands

Farmers in the drylands of Kaani, Machakos County, Kenya, have a powerful ally: agroecology. A community-led land restoration initiative is helping them experiment with various methods to grow crops sustainably by working with nature. From digging zaï pits to recycling wastewater for irrigation and structuring gardens for drought resilience, the farmers are leveraging the power of healthy soil biodiversity. Full story

Living in harmony with nature near Mount Cameroon

In the Bonavada community, animal hunting, timber exploitation, and farming have long been central to local livelihoods. Over time, these practices became unsustainable. A group of youth comprising members of indigenous peoples and local communities took action to restore the local ecosystem. The “Resilience and Restoration” initiative includes training on sustainable land-use practices, climate-smart agriculture, and the integration of conservation into livelihoods. Full story

Local wisdom guiding seagrass restoration (video story)

In the Indonesian island of Bali the “Nyawiang Segara” initiative is about conserving and restoring seagrass meadows in accordance with the values and wisdom that have long been passed down through the local tradition. Watch the video

Communities are restoring Hawaii’s emblematic fishponds

Loko i‘a are traditional techniques of sustainable aquaculture unique to Hawai‘i. They harness coastal ecology and tidal cycles to provide algae that feed herbivorous fish. Local kia‘i loko (fishpond guardians) have been working since 2004 to restore Loko i‘a, protecting them from degradation drivers that include invasive alien species. Full story

Sustainable forest management in Northen Romania

Local communities in the Maramureș region of northern Romania have depended on forests for centuries. Acting on their deep-rooted bond with nature, they have developed sustainable practices grounded in traditional knowledge. Their effective stewardship has helped protect some of Europe’s last remaining primary and old-growth forests. Full story

Farmers working with nature in the English countryside

In Norfolk, a group of farmers are rethinking how to use their land and exploring ways to make their farms thrive in harmony with nature. Through the Wendling Beck Environment Project — a habitat creation and regenerative agriculture initiative — the four farmers are piloting synergistic solutions to the impacts of biodiversity loss, climate change and land degradation. Lean more

Local conservation in action in the Andes

In Peru, community-led conservation and restoration actions are leveraging traditional knowledge of indigenous peoples and local communities. In the Huascarán National Park (Ancash), local youth are participating in the restoration of the iconic queñual forests. 680 kilometers to the North, in Salas, Lambayeque, women from the San Francisco de Asís community protect native bees, restore ecosystems, and build sustainable livelihoods; they are known as the “women guardians of native bees”

Communities tackle coastal pollution in Antigua and Barbuda

Two local initiatives aimed at turning the tide on coastal pollution have sought to bring about behavioral change and mobilize youth commitment to safeguarding nature. The “Adopt a Coastline” initiative included education for the protection of the marine and coastal ecosystems of the twin-island nation. The “Youth Stewardship” programme blended communication, education and public awareness with citizen science. Learn more

Academia and Mexican local authority join forces for environmental education 

Working with the municipality of Zapopan in Mexico, the University Center for Economic and Administrative Sciences of the University of Guadalajara took action to enhance environmental education. Launched in 2023, this local initiative supported by the Educational Partnerships for Innovation in Communities - Network (EPIC-N) brought together faculty and undergraduate students studying environmental management and economics to help expand local environmental education.  Full story