12 November 2020
12.11.2020 - As part of the implementation of the project "Regional Open Fund for South-East Europe - Biodiversity (ORF BD)", financed by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), several activities have been carried out aimed at advancing regional cooperation for the integration of biodiversity issues into development planning.
The project in question offers key recommendations aimed at further strengthening regional cooperation in the Western Balkans in terms of fulfilling international obligations for biodiversity conservation as well as obligations related to the EU. In cooperation with the Sectoral Program for the Implementation of the Convention on Biological Diversity approved by BMZ and implemented by GIZ, the Western Balkans has been selected for piloting the latest training on sustainable finance for biodiversity and the foundational knowledge provided to key regional actors.
In the component of ecosystem services evaluation, considering the urgent need to implement a comprehensive action regarding sustainable biodiversity financing, it was decided to move towards an integrated approach to biodiversity in multi-sectoral planning, and particularly in financial planning, as a necessity to initiate the process of developing the capacities of stakeholders to seek new options and mechanisms that can provide the necessary funds for biodiversity conservation.
Reflecting broad regional, European, and global issues, this resource book addresses the topic of why, how, and which financing mechanisms can be used to strengthen biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Aiming to provide environmental and economic planners in the public sector with information on approaches and instruments for sustainable financing as well as real-world case studies, this resource book also seeks to draw concrete lessons and recommendations for the needs, opportunities, and ways forward in advancing the financial sustainability of biodiversity, ecosystems, and protected areas in the Western Balkans.
This sourcebook also includes a Glossary of finance for biodiversity and protected areas, aiming to ensure that we all speak the same language – and fully understand what lies behind the terminology, what is important for the sectors involved, and, ultimately, how to raise awareness and harness the untapped potential of integrated approaches.
Sourcebook on sustainable financing for biodiversity
GLOSSARY: Key terms and definitions