The Darwin Initiative

Sally CunninghamDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs

(Defra), UK Government

What is the Darwin Initiative?

• A UK Government-funded grant scheme

• Funds biodiversity projects around the globe

• Launched in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit

• Aimed to help developing countries implement CBD

Evolution of the Darwin Initiative

• 1993 - Originally main projects (over three years)• 2003 - introduced post-projects, scoping awards and

fellowships.• 2008 - widened scope to include other MEAs• 2010 - focus on development and poverty alleviation• 2013 – focus on illegal wildlife trade

Snapshot of Darwin’s success

• Over £106m invested since 1992 in 908 projects working in 159 countries

• Over 1500 species or habitat management plans• Over 2000 peer review papers• Around 700 species reference collections• Around £5m value of physical assets handed over to

host countries• Over £50m resources leveraged as a result of

Darwin projects

Contribution to the Aichi targets

Since 2011 the Darwin Initiative has funded 109 projects that are directly working towards achievement of the Aichi targets

Strategic Goal Projects % of projects

A (Mainstreaming) 77 71%

B (Sustainable Use) 79 72%

C (Management) 68 62%

D (Benefits to all) 57 52%

E (Capacity building) 71 65%

Cameroon

Developing a pro-poor, sustainable bushmeat harvesting model in Cameroon

India

Reviving socio-ecological landscapes for biodiversity conservation and climate change adaptation

Kenya

Strengthening the capability of Kenyan communities

to conserve coral reefs

Key benefits of Darwin

• Building partnerships• Sharing knowledge and expertise• Filling knowledge and data gaps• Informing national decision-making• Capacity building• Value-for-money• Leveraging other funding• Leaving a legacy

For more information….

• For project information: • http://www.darwininitiative.org.uk/ • How to apply:

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/darwin-initiative-funding-schemes-and-how-to-apply

• General information:• E-mail: darwin@defra.gsi.gov.uk