Notification 2015-085

Dear Madam/Sir, I would like to draw your attention to the call from the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services for proposals and pledges of support for capacity-building projects and activities under the prototype IPBES Matchmaking Facility, as established by the IPBES Plenary in decision IPBES-3/1. This mechanism will aim to promote and facilitate dialogue and cooperation among institutions, organizations and individuals looking for technical and financial support, and those in a position to provide such support. Proposals and pledges should be in accordance with the IPBES priority capacity-building needs. The IPBES Matchmaking Facility comprises two components: a web-based tool bringing together those looking for support and those seeking to offer support for development and implementation of capacity-building activities in a common, searchable interface; and a set of enabling activities including regional dialogues, a Capacity-building Forum, and other face-to-face networking and support activities. When fully operational, it is envisaged that the IPBES Matchmaking Facility will receive pledges and project proposals on a continuous basis. This call for proposals and pledges is closely associated with the notification on the first IPBES Capacity-building Forum to be held in Dehradun, India, from 19 to 22 October 2015. During the Forum, examples of proposals and pledges resulting from this call will be presented to participants as a part of the launch of the prototype IPBES Matchmaking Facility. Considering the relevance of these IPBES deliverables for the work of the Convention on Biological Diversity, I encourage you to contribute to this process by filling out the form that can be found at: http://www.ipbes.net/news/686-call-for-proposals-to-the-prototype-ipbes-matchmaking-facility.html Please accept, Madam/Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

Executive Secretary

To: CBD National Focal Points, SBSTTA Focal Points and relevant organizations