BackCategories
All News
We always love hearing about the work that our projects get up to! If you have any stories or communication materials about your projects that you would like to share with us, please contact our Comms Team on BCF-Comms@niras.com.
For more information relating to specific articles, or to ask for relevant contact details, contact us at BCF-Comms@niras.com. Please be sure to include a link to the article you're referring to.
To subscribe to our newsletter, sign up here or at the bottom of the page.
Sunday, 25 May 2025
Challenging gender norms in conservation
Discover what happened when two community conservancies explore equitable alternatives to conservation leadership and governance in Kenya.
Read Article 
Saturday, 24 May 2025
Transformation for communities and otters
Inclusive project engaging marginalised communities in Smooth-coated otter conservation in Nepal preserves cultural identities and enhances livelihoods.
Read Article
Friday, 23 May 2025
Improving farming and conserving forests
A vulnerable group of women in rural Madagascar have been breaking gender norms and laying 15 km of stock-proof hedges to protect valuable crops.
Read Article
Thursday, 22 May 2025
Sewing threads of change with handlooms
Specialised training to enhance the traditional weaving skills of 196 Changpa women in India’s rangeland ecosystem delivers transformative outcomes.
Read Article
Wednesday, 21 May 2025
Women-led marine management
Locally Managed Marine Areas provide sustainable fishing opportunities and strengthens marine conservation in Kenya’s coastal communities.
Read Article
Tuesday, 20 May 2025
Shining a light on the women of Indonesia
Equipping communities in Borneo with micro-hydropower enables local women to generate sustainable incomes through traditional woven fabrics.
Read Article
Monday, 19 May 2025
Safeguarding vulture populations
Wildlife awareness activities and sustainable business loans reduce direct threats to vulnerable African vulture populations in Tanzania and Kenya.
Read Article
Sunday, 18 May 2025
Weaving a way to brighter, safer future
Mitigating human-elephant conflict, alleviating poverty, and transforming livelihoods of women in India through the creation of traditional handicrafts.
Read Article
Saturday, 17 May 2025
Resilient women of the Ruvuma Landscape
Agricultural projects, microloans and natural resource management initiatives provide valuable opportunities for marginalised women in Tanzania.
Read Article
Friday, 16 May 2025
Reducing wildlife conflict with coffee
Elephant-friendly business models in Thailand, including coffee farming, offer alternative livelihoods for communities impacted by human-wildlife conflict.
Read Article
Thursday, 15 May 2025
Guatemalan caretakers of home and nature
Women and Indigenous groups are becoming agents of change by greater participation, decision-making, and sustainable income opportunities.
Read Article
Wednesday, 14 May 2025
Gender-inclusive mangrove restoration
Restoring degraded ponds empowers women through sustainable shrimp and milkfish farming, while bolstering conservation efforts in Indonesia.
Read Article
Tuesday, 13 May 2025
Thriving edible mushroom cultivation
90 women from 10 remote villages in Benin explore an innovative approach to fungi farming that restores crucial habitats whilst reducing local poverty.
Read Article
Monday, 12 May 2025
Buffalo, biodiversity, and breaking barriers
Once excluded from conservation work, women in Cambodia are proving that restoring ecosystems and strengthening livelihoods go hand in hand.
Read Article
Sunday, 11 May 2025
Inclusive stewardship of tree nurseries
Conservation efforts in Kenya have been male dominated and women were prohibited from planting permanent trees, but this project is driving change.
Read Article
Saturday, 10 May 2025
Enhanced livelihoods with sea cucumbers
Aquaculture activities centred on female economic empowerment provide coastal communities in Indonesia with a sustainable, supplementary income.
Read Article
Friday, 9 May 2025
Historic moment for primate conservation
Conservationists in Nigeria have achieved ground-breaking success with the first-ever camera-trap footage of the Critically Endangered red colobus
Read Article
Thursday, 8 May 2025
Communities unite to preserve forests
In Laos, 12 remote villages are striving to enhance biodiversity and improve livelihoods, spearheading a pioneering project to plant 200,000 new trees.
Read Article
Wednesday, 7 May 2025
Empowering the best in conservation
Human-Wildlife Conflict (HWC) mitigation while promoting gender inclusivity strengthens conservation and empowers Mozambican communities.
Read Article
Tuesday, 6 May 2025
Inclusive conservation leadership
Building inclusive futures in conservation by avoiding a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach in conservation fellowship opportunities in the Global South.
Read Article
Monday, 5 May 2025
Training the next generation of botanists
Equipping locals in the Republic of Guinea with the skills to identify more than 30 tropical plant families, ensuring a bright future for endangered flora.
Read Article
Sunday, 4 May 2025
Breaking barriers in marine conservation
Training, leadership opportunities and inclusive representation fosters more diverse, resilient, and inclusive sea turtle conservation efforts in Indonesia.
Read Article
Saturday, 3 May 2025
Waterbird conservation project takes flight
Improving community livelihoods and strengthen biodiversity conservation in Malawi through sustainable hunting methods, avitourism and microloans.
Read Article
Friday, 2 May 2025
Improving incomes and food security
Discover how 20,000 harvesters in Nepal are safeguarding their futures through sustainable farming and trading of high-value medicinal plants and fungi.
Read Article
Thursday, 27 March 2025
UK Prime Minister’s ODA Announcement
The UK remains committed to playing a significant role in the world, in our national interest, in the interests of the poorest, and to ensure a liveable planet.
Read Article
Monday, 17 February 2025
2025 DEC Chair Recruitment
Exciting news - we're recruiting for a Chair for the Darwin Initiative Expert Committee (DEC). Find out how to apply by clicking below.
Read Article
Friday, 31 January 2025
BCFs 2025 Expert Recruitment
Exciting news - we're recruiting Experts for the Biodiversity Challenge Funds Expert Groups. Find out how to apply by clicking below.
Read Article
Friday, 11 October 2024
Announcing BCFs COP-16 Side Event
Join us on 21 October 2024 at 18:00 COT for an engaging panel discussion showcasing the Biodiversity Challenge Funds.
Read Article
Friday, 11 October 2024
Concern Reporting for BCFs projects
All BCFs projects are required to report all instances of suspected or actual fraud, bribery, and corruption.
Read Article
Tuesday, 8 October 2024
Protecting orangutans and forest communities
A community-centred approach to protecting orangutans and their habitats in Indonesia ensures both wildlife and local communities thrive together.
Read Article
Monday, 7 October 2024
Engaging communities for lasting development
Sustainable development initiatives tailored to local needs, leveraging traditional knowledge, and fostering long-term impact in Morocco.
Read Article
Friday, 27 September 2024
Living in harmony: Stories from Nepal
Addressing challenges and mitigating human-wildlife conflict through community initiatives, sustainable livelihoods, and habitat conservation.
Read Article
Thursday, 26 September 2024
African-led solutions to human-elephant conflict
Strengthening local wildlife authorities in Kenya through partnerships and training on innovative strategies for coexistence with elephants.
Read Article
Wednesday, 25 September 2024
Community-driven solutions in Guatemala
Addressing poverty and food insecurity while protecting biodiversity to enhance local capacity for inclusive governance and sustainable management.
Read Article
Tuesday, 24 September 2024
Beekeeping revives forests in Ghana
Nature-based beekeeping is helping communities restore forests, protect biodiversity, and create sustainable livelihoods through honey production.
Read Article
Monday, 23 September 2024
Safeguarding marine resources
Empowering Cabo Verde's fishing communities to actively engage in marine conservation, reducing bycatch and protecting vulnerable species.
Read Article
Sunday, 22 September 2024
Youth empowerment for lemur conservation
A participatory approach actively involving local communities and youth in sustainable farming, lemur conservation, and community development in Madagascar.
Read Article
Saturday, 21 September 2024
Ecosystem restoration in Ethiopia
Community-led practices for frankincense harvesting and forest management combat biodiversity loss, increase farmland productivity, and enhance local livelihoods.
Read Article
Friday, 20 September 2024
An educational and collaborative community
School network fosters nature-based learning in Colombia, empowering students and teachers to protect biodiversity and transform communities.
Read Article
Thursday, 19 September 2024
Farmers commit to forest conservation in Comoros
Thirty farmers sign agreements to conserve and restore forests on their land - a significant step toward reversing deforestation and protecting biodiversity.
Read Article
Wednesday, 18 September 2024
Connecting to create living landscapes
Protecting elephants and supporting vulnerable communities in Mozambique by fostering coexistence, conservation, and sustainable development.
Read Article
Tuesday, 17 September 2024
Protecting Smooth-coated otters in Nepal
Community-based conservation to safeguard otters and their habitats while enhancing local livelihoods through sustainable practices.
Read Article
Monday, 16 September 2024
Sweetpotato project strengthens communities
Enhancing food security and biodiversity conservation in Madagascar and Zambia through collaborative efforts with local communities and organisations.
Read Article
Sunday, 15 September 2024
Biocultural landscapes for livelihoods
Empowering cooperatives in Guatemala to protect their heritage, foster sustainable livelihoods and conserve biodiversity through community-driven guidelines.
Read Article
Saturday, 14 September 2024
Inclusive conservation finance models
Integrating economic development with environmental sustainability to drive grassroots conservation and biodiversity efforts in Uganda and Tanzania.
Read Article
Friday, 13 September 2024
Communities unite for marine conservation
Coastal communities in Timor-Leste unite to protect marine biodiversity and revive traditional laws through locally managed marine areas.
Read Article
Thursday, 12 September 2024
Community forest engagement in Thailand
Equipping local leaders with the skills to collect, analyse, and utilise data for sustainable forest management, ensuring ecosystems thrive for future generations.
Read Article
Wednesday, 11 September 2024
Protecting Tanzania's Tarangire Ecosystem
Integrating sustainable rangeland management, eco-tourism, and community-led conservation to safeguard wildlife and enhance livelihoods.
Read Article
Tuesday, 10 September 2024
Safeguarding livelihoods from invasive species
Empowering communities in the Soloman Islands to tackle invasive species and provide sustainable solutions for the future of this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Read Article
Monday, 9 September 2024
From smoke to smiles in the Himalayas in Nepal
Improved cooking stoves are reducing deforestation, enhancing community health, and empowering women by saving time and resources.
Read Article
Sunday, 8 September 2024
Women leading the greening of Mali
Empowering local women as environmental stewards committed to reversing the adverse effects of climate change and human actions on their environment.
Read Article
Saturday, 7 September 2024
Overcoming seasonal challenges in Indonesia
Innovative sea cucumber ranching combines local knowledge and sustainable practices to conserve seagrass habitats and provide income for coastal communities.
Read Article
Thursday, 5 September 2024
Improving co-management of coastal fisheries
A collaborative beach management unit network is striving to improve sustainable fishing and support over 4,500 local fishers in Kilifi County, Kenya.
Read Article
Wednesday, 4 September 2024
Sowing seeds of change through storytelling
Transforming conflict with elephants into peaceful coexistence in India by rewilding fields and protecting farmers crops through community-driven solutions.
Read Article
Tuesday, 3 September 2024
Citizen science to build climate resilience
Community-driven research in Northern Benin helps design agroforestry systems, boosting biodiversity, climate resilience, and livelihoods.
Read Article
Monday, 2 September 2024
Indigenous stewards of sacred marine areas
Establishing over 1,000 ha of Indigenous marine managed areas in the Philippines, while revitalising ancestral culture and traditions.
Read Article
Sunday, 1 September 2024
Cabo Verde marine ecosystem monitoring
Enhancing capacity to monitor marine ecosystems through training in camera system use and data analysis, fostering long-term marine biodiversity protection.
Read Article
Saturday, 31 August 2024
Joint conservation for snow leopards in Nepal
Integrating local government and community capacity for conservation to protect both wildlife and livelihoods through collaborative solutions.
Read Article
Friday, 30 August 2024
Conserving amphibians of Madagascar
A comprehensive conservation strategy to safeguard an Endangered amphibians from ongoing threats such as habitat degradation and climate change.
Read Article
Thursday, 29 August 2024
Fishing for a sustainable future in Lebanon
Empowering Lebanon’s coastal communities through sustainable fishing practices, providing vocational training, and fostering hope amidst economic crises.
Read Article
Wednesday, 28 August 2024
Amplifying community voices in conservation
Empowering local communities in Zimbabwe through training, advocacy, and mobilisation to ensure inclusive, community-driven decision making.
Read Article
Wednesday, 14 August 2024
New Darwin Initiative projects announcement
Congratulations to our 52 newly funded projects from Round 30!
Read Article
Sunday, 28 July 2024
Celebrating a Darwin Initiative legacy
Mount Mabu, a "Sky island" in northern Mozambique full of unique fauna and flora, is to be declared a community protected area.
Read Article
Wednesday, 3 July 2024
Himalayan harvesters who move mountains
A resilient single mother in the Nepalese Himalayas transforms her wild plant business, ensuring sustainable trade and conservation.
Read Article
Wednesday, 22 May 2024
Next round of funding launched!
We're pleased to announce that applications for Round 31 are now open! Find out how to apply by clicking below.
Read Article
Wednesday, 31 January 2024
Food sustainability: Word from the BCFs
Explore the crucial intersection of food, biodiversity, and livelihoods in the inaugural Biodiversity Challenge Funds newsletter.
Read Article
Tuesday, 30 January 2024
Sustainable food system case study
Using sustainable pole-and-line methods to address overfishing challenges: Live bait alternatives for ocean conservation and efficiency.
Read Article
Monday, 29 January 2024
Giving fungi a place at the table
Fungal conservation addresses vital roles in Earth's ecosystems, ensuring sustainability and protecting miombo woodlands for rural livelihoods.
Read Article
Sunday, 28 January 2024
Trees in cocoa-growing areas of Côte d’Ivoire
Restoring the Divo's Botanic Forest by promoting native species in cocoa agroforestry, addressing limited tree diversity and building capacity.
Read Article
Saturday, 27 January 2024
Growing the potential of planting baskets
Botanical garden providing seedling plant baskets for food security inspired an agroforestry project for habitat restoration and climate resilience.
Read Article
Friday, 26 January 2024
Tech secures food for fishers and dolphins
Pinger technology (acoustic deterrents) helps to protect river dolphins, securing livelihoods and fostering sustainable fishing practices.
Read Article
Thursday, 25 January 2024
Navigating avian influenza risk
Efforts to protect endangered waterbirds face challenges from HPAI outbreaks impacting wild and domestic birds, demanding One Health solutions.
Read Article
Wednesday, 24 January 2024
Re-greening Madagascar
Collaboration and private sector involvement in Madagascar's biodiversity aim to restore threatened landscapes.
Read Article
Tuesday, 23 January 2024
Unveiling the conservation chronicle
A project in Nigeria empowers locals to enhance conservation of endangered Cycad species through community engagement and awareness.
Read Article
Monday, 22 January 2024
Grabbing poverty by the horns
Restoring vital watering holes in Cambodia with community-led efforts, utilising buffalo herds to benefit the local ecosystem and livelihoods.
Read Article
Sunday, 21 January 2024
Cricket-based solutions for food insecurity
Protecting rainforests crucial for climate, health, and biodiversity; Empowering communities with regenerative agriculture.
Read Article
Friday, 19 January 2024
Revolutionising Ethiopian agriculture
Transforming Ethiopian agriculture with bee-focused sustainability, promoting Integrated Pest Management and reduced chemical pesticides.
Read Article
Thursday, 18 January 2024
Magical miombo larder on Mount Mulanje
Conservation efforts underway for Mount Mulanje which hosts a biodiverse miombo woodland, vital for food, medicine, and income.
Read Article
Wednesday, 17 January 2024
Conserving insect biodiversity
Kenya combats papaya mealybug, preserving biodiversity, reducing pesticides, enhancing crop yields, and empowering farmers.
Read Article
Tuesday, 16 January 2024
Nepalese agriculture: The buzz about bees
Embedding sustainable pollination management is crucial as insect pollinators are vital for crop production and livelihoods.
Read Article
Monday, 15 January 2024
Local stewardship in Myanmar
Community-led conservation project in the Upper Chindwin Basin focuses on wetland preservation, empowering locals for sustainable livelihoods.
Read Article
Friday, 12 January 2024
Facilitating human-elephant coexistence
Projects in Myanmar and North East India empower villagers to safeguard their livelihoods through community-driven solutions.
Read Article
Thursday, 11 January 2024
Protecting the Mara Wetlands
Safeguarding food security involves implementing sustainable fisheries practices, community engagement, and collaborative conservation efforts.
Read Article
Wednesday, 10 January 2024
Food access in small island ecosystems
In Busuanga, Palawan, Indigenous-led management of ecosystems aims at enhancing food security amid climate challenges.
Read Article
Tuesday, 9 January 2024
Working in the forests towards sustainability
Efforts in the Zunil – Atitlán – Balam Juyú corridor aim to sustainably support Mayan communities by conserving forests and enhancing livelihoods.
Read Article
Monday, 8 January 2024
Supporting custodians of biodiversity and food
Promoting biodiversity and food culture involves empowering households as conservationists, distributing diversity kits, and honouring custodians.
Read Article
Sunday, 7 January 2024
Scaling conservation via sustainable trade
Conserving Himalayan plant and fungi diversity through fair trade: Empowering communities, improving supply chains, and promoting sustainable practices.
Read Article
Friday, 5 January 2024
Trees for life: Agroforestry methods
Maliasili supports local organisations, focusing on agroforestry to combat food insecurity, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation.
Read Article
Thursday, 4 January 2024
Native plants: Food for people and biodiversity
Thirteen native Ugandan edible plants with high potential for development strategies benefiting both people and nature identified.
Read Article
Wednesday, 3 January 2024
Blue carbon sea cucumber ranching
A project empowers women in sustainable sea cucumber gleaning, safeguarding coastal ecosystems, and supporting communities.
Read Article
Monday, 1 January 2024
Recruiting for the BCFs Expert Groups
Exciting news - we're still recruiting Experts for the Biodiversity Challenge Funds Expert Groups. Find out how to apply by clicking below.
Read Article
Sunday, 26 October 2003
Darwin Initiative Newsletters
All Darwin Initiative newsletters published since 2003 can be accessed via the links found in this article.
Read Article