The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) is pleased to announce the award of 12 new research projects through its third Research Grant Competition (RGC3), with a total investment of just over £10 million.
Together, the 12 new projects will support researchers, communities, policymakers and practitioners across Sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean, to develop and test solutions that deliver benefits for people, nature and climate.
From strengthening sustainable cattle production in South Africa and restoring mangrove ecosystems in Malaysia, to advancing climate-resilient agroforestry in Timor-Leste and Montserrat and improving food security through sustainable aquaculture in São Tomé and Príncipe, the projects will generate critical evidence on how biodiversity can underpin resilient livelihoods, sustainable economic development and climate adaptation in some of the world’s most vulnerable regions.
The new cohort represents the third round of funding under GCBC, a UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme funded by the UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). The programme, announced at COP26 in 2021, supports developing countries to generate the evidence needed to inform policies and decisions that better value, protect, restore and sustainably manage biodiversity, while strengthening climate resilience and contributing to poverty reduction.
Through these investments, GCBC continues to strengthen the global evidence base needed to support biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation and sustainable development. The new projects will contribute knowledge and practical solutions that can inform policy, guide investment and support communities most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss.
This announcement comes ahead of the next round of funding, Research Grant Competition 4 (RGC4), with a themes launch planned for the near future.
The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate is an important international programme generating the evidence we need to understand how biodiversity can support climate resilience and sustainable development. The 12 projects announced in this latest funding round build on that strong foundation, deepening our understanding of how nature can underpin resilient livelihoods, healthy ecosystems and effective climate adaptation. Collectively, they will strengthen the evidence base and partnerships needed to inform policy and drive practical action globally
Professor Anjali Goswami, Defra, Chief Scientific Adviser and Director General for Science, Data and Analysis.
It is particularly exciting that we have several grants supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The particular challenges these islands face under climate change threatens both livelihoods and unique biodiversity. We urgently need research to develop solutions to this huge challenge.
Dr Jamie Gordon, Biodiversity Lead, GCBC
Please see the full list of RGC3 projects below, with links to further details. To get in touch, contact GCBC at infogcbc@gcbc.org.uk
Newly Awarded Projects
Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RG3-012637):
‘Thriving Ecosystems and Communities in Montserrat: Agroforestry and Sustainable Land Management Solutions’
An investigation into the challenges of restoring forests and integrating climate-smart agriculture in degraded tropical forest landscapes in this small island developing state. Read more
Coventry University (RG3-012624):
‘Enhancing biodiversity, climate resilience and livelihoods through more sustainable and equitable cattle value chains in communal rangelands of South Africa’
Generating research into how Nature-based Solutions can be optimised socially and ecologically in the Maputaland-Pondoland-Albany biodiversity hotspot. Read more
University of Greenwich (RG3-012644):
‘Scaling Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Resilience, Biodiversity Conservation, and Sustainable Livelihoods in Ethiopia’s Drylands: A Participatory Systems Approach’
Generating robust evidence on dryland agriculture transformation through co-design of pathways to deliver enhanced biodiversity, to build climate resilience, and to reduce poverty. Read more
University of Leeds (RG3-012645):
‘AquaRoots: Rooting Shrimp Farming in Biodiversity for Climate Resilience and Food Security’
Piloting sustainable silvo-aquaculture system in northern Mexican mangroves, integrating microecosystem management and biodiversity-based solutions for eco-social and economic resilience. Read more
The University of Manchester (RG3-012619):
‘REVIVE – Just Restoration and Equitable Value Chains for Inclusive, Viable Mangrove Ecosystems: The case of Malaysia’
Development and testing of hybrid co-governance that couples community participation in decision making, monitoring and grievance redress with improved value chains for higher value products and services. Read more
Bioversity International (RG3-012643):
‘Regenerative Island Futures: Unlocking sustainable food-system opportunities for Ecotourism in Fiji’
An investigation into evidence-based approaches to leveraging the expanding ecotourism market to catalyse the restoration of native forest biodiversity and climate smart agriculture in this small island developing state. Read more
International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (RG3-012630):
‘Fallow Agroecology Biodiversity and Resilience through Integrating Knowledge Systems in the Peruvian Amazon (FABRIKs)’
The application of systems science to Amazonian landscape transformation by demonstrating how fallow management can drive climate resilience, biodiversity gains, and poverty reduction at system, ecosystem, and market levels. Read more
Sokoine University of Agriculture (RG3-012648):
‘Human-Wildlife Interactions: Building Climate Resilience in the Selous-Niassa Wildlife Corridor, Tanzania’
The trial of an innovative, off-grid, AI-powered early warning system integrating indigenous ecological knowledge to reduce conflict and enhance climate resilience in the diverse habitats of this key regional corridor. Read more
Instituto Superior de Economia e Gestão (RG3-013874):
‘Sustainable Aquaponics for Food Security and Community Empowerment in São Tomé and Príncipe’
The identification and establishment of the technical, socio-economic and institutional enablers of freshwater aquaponics needed for long-term community ownership in the tropical landscapes of this small island developing state. Read more
International Centre for Research in Agroforestry (RG3-012646):
‘Timor-Leste’s Living Landscapes: Agroforestry for Biodiversity and Resilience (AFBIO)’
An investigation into a landscape-to-seascape approach for establishing a resilient ecological matrix of climate-smart agroforestry and silvofishery systems to support livelihoods and biodiversity in this small island developing state. Read more
National Audubon Society (RG3-012618):
‘Birds for Sustainable Agrifood Systems: strengthening biodiversity, climate resilience, and rural prosperity in Colombia’
Research to align farmer-led solutions with policies and incentives in mixed landscapes of cattle pasture, dryforest, montane forest and wetlands. Read more
University of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences (UAES) Umuagwo (RG3-012620):
‘Enhancing Pollinator Biodiversity for Sustainable Agriculture and Climate Resilience’
An investigation into the restoration of agro-ecosystems for pollinator diversity in humid forest zone and in savannah areas of Imo, Ogun and Nasarawa States, Nigeria. Read more
The Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) is supporting a diverse portfolio of initiatives worldwide. Visit our Projects page to explore our research and see where we’re making an impact.
