People, Nature, and Resilience: Launching the ILWGAWS Project in Ghana’s Coastal Wetlands

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People, Nature, and Resilience: Launching the ILWGAWS Project in Ghana’s Coastal Wetlands

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People, Nature, and Resilience: Launching the ILWGAWS Project in Ghana’s Coastal Wetlands

Published 17 Jun 2025

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The Integrated Land and Water Management of the Greater Amanzule Wetland System (ILWGAWS) is an environmental conservation initiative focused on conserving and restoring biodiversity within the Greater Amanzule Wetland, located in Ghana’s Western Region. This critical ecological zone spans over 50,000 hectares and plays a vital role in supporting biodiversity, enhancing coastal resilience, and sustaining local livelihoods.

However, the region faces significant challenges due to increasing pressures such as climate change, changes in land use and land cover, and hydrological and socio-economic dynamics. Funded by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) through the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC), the project is being implemented by the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), in partnership with Hen Mpoano and the CSIR-Water Research Institute.

Project Launch: A Vision for People and Nature

The ILWGAWS project launched in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region of Ghana, marking a critical step in the project’s broader commitment to environmental sustainability and biodiversity conservation. Led by Dr. Adams Osman, the ILWGAWS project adopts a multidisciplinary, community-led approach that integrates scientific research with local knowledge systems to promote long-term environmental health and economic well-being for communities living within the wetland landscape.

The launch brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including government officials, traditional leaders, community members, development partners, researchers, and civil society organisations. Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, Vice-Chancellor of UEW,  delivered a compelling keynote address, emphasising the urgent need for sustainable development that enhances both the environment and human livelihoods.

Professor Mitchual stated, “Our innovations must be directed toward improving human life without compromising nature. As we build faster systems of communication and transport, we must also ensure we protect the very ecosystems that sustain us.”

Dr. Adams Osman provided an overview of the project’s core objectives: to assess the changes in the hydrological systems of the Greater Amanzule Wetlands, evaluate their impacts on ecosystem services and local livelihoods, and co-develop community-based solutions that support both biodiversity and socio-economic resilience.

Mr. Samuel Obosu, the Planning Officer of the Jomoro Municipal Assembly, emphasised the significance of the project to the district’s future, highlighting the value of the multidisciplinary nature of the project and the stakeholders involved in informing comprehensive policy decisions and community-driven restoration efforts.

 

Reconnaissance Survey: Mapping the Landscape, Understanding the Issues

As part of the initial field activities, the ILWGAWS team embarked on a reconnaissance survey across several wetland communities, to assess baseline ecological and socio-economic conditions and identify hotspots for intervention. The survey began with a visit to the Ankobra River estuary, where pollution from illegal mining and waste disposal is severely impacting water quality. At the Asanta community, the team visited a mangrove nursery and conducted a walk-through of the adjacent mangrove forest, documenting signs of degradation and opportunities for restoration. Conversations with local fishers revealed how mangrove loss is affecting fish populations and, by extension, their livelihoods.

At Kamgbunli, the team engaged with traditional authorities and community leaders on the sustainability of fishing practices and their openness to adopting climate-resilient approaches. There were strong expressions of support for the project, particularly regarding mangrove restoration, pollution control, and environmental education. In Old Kabenla Suazo and Ezilinbo, further assessments were conducted, including visits to a lagoon site and the surrounding areas of a naval base under construction. These visits offered insight into the potential land-use conflicts and the need for multi-stakeholder coordination to align development with conservation.

Stakeholder Engagement: Strengthening Local Partnerships

Following the launch, the project team engaged key community leaders and institutional partners in a series of discussions. These engagements focused on identifying existing environmental challenges, possible solutions, refining project objectives and collective responsibilities. Stakeholders expressed concerns about uncontrolled logging, illicit mining, mangrove harvesting, pollution from agrochemicals and plastics, and the impact of infrastructural development on the wetland ecosystem. The dialogue reinforced the project’s commitment to a participatory governance model where communities are not just beneficiaries, but co-implementers of conservation action.

Looking Ahead: Building a Greener Future

The ILWGAWS project is envisioned not as a one-off intervention but as a long-term commitment to ecosystem restoration and climate adaptation. Over the coming weeks, the project will roll out activities in environmental education, hydrological profiling, biodiversity monitoring, mangrove and tree planting, pollution control, and sustainable livelihood training, including beekeeping for local farmers.

Intending to plant 60,000 trees within the Greater Amanzule Wetlands and train communities in sustainable practices, ILWGAWS aims to serve as a model for integrated wetland management in Ghana and beyond. As environmental threats intensify globally, initiatives like ILWGAWS underscore the power of collaboration, science, and community engagement in restoring ecological integrity and improving lives.

The journey has begun, and its success will be shaped by every voice, every tree planted, and every action toward a more resilient coastal ecosystem.

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Potatoes, People, and Photobooks: CIP’s Climate Response in the Andes

Published 29 May 2025

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As climate extremes increasingly challenge Andean agriculture, the International Potato Center (CIP) is working closely with communities in Peru and Ecuador to strengthen resilience and preserve agrobiodiversity.

At the heart of this effort is the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) project – a multi-faceted initiative that brings together scientific innovation, traditional knowledge, and local engagement to equip farming systems for a changing future.

Mashua plants as natural pest management to protect potato fields from potato weevils in the Andes Potato harvest in Peru. Experimental plots have been protected by a traditional pest management strategy – the use of mashua plants as weevil repellent Potato harvest in Peru. Experimental plots have been protected by a traditional pest management strategy – the use of mashua plants as weevil repellent Potato harvest in the Central Andes of Peru. Experimental plots have been protected by a traditional pest management strategy – the use of mashua plants as weevil repellent (the orange spots are the mashua plants that are left in the fields slightly longer since mashua has a longer maturation period than potato) Participatory trial evaluation at harvest time in the Central Andes of Peru. Farmers rate their preferences based on drought tolerance, yield, and other factors such as texture, taste, cooking time, or pest & disease (late blight) resistance and tolerance to frost. (Farmer vote with seeds and deposit the seeds in little plastic containers which you may see on the potato sacks. Gender preferences are usually captured by using different seed types. The results are then discussed among farmers.)
The images show potato harvesting in Peru’s Central Andes, featuring mashua plants used as natural pest control against potato weevils. During participatory trials, farmers evaluate varieties at harvest based on drought tolerance, yield, taste, cooking time, pest and disease resistance, and frost tolerance. They “vote with seeds,” placing their preferred seeds in small containers on potato sacks. Gender preferences are captured using different seed types, and results are then discussed collectively.

 

CIP’s work begins in the field, where trials are underway to identify native potato varieties that can withstand prolonged drought. These drought-tolerant potatoes offer more than just resilience – they help safeguard the region’s rich potato heritage by keeping a diverse range of varieties in cultivation, even under stress. At the same time, researchers are exploring the promise of mashua, a lesser-known Andean root crop valued for its pest-repelling qualities and nutritional profile. As both a traditional food and a potential ingredient for modern food markets, mashua represents a link between heritage and innovation.

Beyond crop trials, CIP is leading efforts to restore lost agrobiodiversity. Through the repatriation and in vitro propagation of native potato varieties, communities in Peru are reconnecting with crops that had disappeared from their fields. This restoration work is already laying the foundation for community-managed in vitro laboratories – local hubs for conserving potato diversity and advancing climate-adaptive agriculture.

Equally important is building local capacity. CIP supports farmers, students, and indigenous technicians with hands-on training to ensure that scientific advances translate into real-world resilience. One standout initiative is the youth photobook project, which equips young people with cameras and storytelling tools to document the impact of climate change on their lives. These visual narratives elevate local voices, while farmers’ concerns have separately influenced policy and contributed to shaping Ecuador’s national biodiversity policy – an example of how community-centered initiatives can influence broader systems.

Together, these activities form a cohesive strategy grounded in science, collaboration, and cultural respect. CIP’s work through the GCBC project demonstrates that resilience is not just about enduring climate stress – it’s about transforming challenges into opportunities for growth.

By connecting agricultural research with lived experience, CIP is helping Andean communities not only adapt, but thrive.

 

This report was prepared by Dr Bettina Heider, Project Lead and Genetic Resources Specialist, CIP and Joel Ranck, Head of Communications, CIP.

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GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR: New Landmark Report Outlines Threat to Global Seaweeds

Published 16 May 2025

Tracey Hearn

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GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR, funded by the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC) and led by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) in Oban has recently released a landmark report outlining the threats facing global seaweed habitats.

The report highlights how human-induced threats, including global climate change, overfishing, pollution and an increase in invasive non-native species, could result in dramatic changes in distribution and diversity of seaweed species and their habitats and what this could mean for both ocean and human health.

Read on to access the report, watch the new GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR film, and learn more about their recent call for experts to help develop the UN Seaweed Breakthrough Targets.

The State of the World’s Seaweeds report combines the most up-to-date scientific evidence and emphasises that despite the importance of seaweeds, and the severity of the threats they face, they are afforded inadequate conservation measures. Authors of the report call for these major gaps to be addressed.

Lead author of the report, Dr Sophie Corrigan, from the Natural History Museum, London said: “Seaweeds are often the unsung heroes of the marine world. They form some of the largest marine habitats we have and underpin so many marine resources, as well as playing an important role in the function of other marine habitats such as cementing coral reefs together and protecting them from wave damage. Food, medicines and even the cosmetics industry rely on seaweed for the properties they can offer.

“While interest in kelp forests is rightfully building, other seaweeds have been left behind. This is something we want to change, and we’re hoping that all seaweeds will benefit from the Global Biodiversity Framework’s 30by30 initiative as more protected areas are created or expanded in the coming years.

“Safeguarding the future of seaweeds and realising the full potential of seaweeds and their uses will require a global movement to unite governments, researchers, industries, charities, Indigenous Peoples and local communities in protecting seaweeds. This report is an important step in that process.”

Seaweeds are red, green and brown macroalgae. The ancestors of the reds lived on the Earth over 1.6 billion years ago. Collectively seaweeds cover an area the size of Australia, making them the largest of the planet’s vegetated marine habitats which many other species depend on.

They play a significant role in cleaning up our world and absorb carbon dioxide at a far greater rate than many plants on land do and can help to absorb pollution from the oceans as well.

There are also millions of seaweed farmers in 56 countries worldwide who rely on seaweed for their livelihoods. The vast majority of farmers are in Asia, which accounts for more than 95% of global seaweed farming.

However, seaweeds face an uncertain future: they are threatened by many pressures but the necessary data to determine the rate at which seaweed habitats are being lost globally does not exist. It is predicted that the majority of seaweeds will experience a high degree of local extinction and poleward expansions by the end of the century, with overall global declines in coverage and diversity.

Prof. Juliet Brodie of the Natural History Museum, London, along with GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR programme leader Prof. Elizabeth Cottier-Cook of SAMS and Prof. Lim Phaik Eem from the University of Malaya are co-authors on the State of the World’s Seaweeds report.

Prof. Cottier-Cook said: “The State of the World’s Seaweeds is a landmark report, providing a robust knowledge base for the development of a global conservation strategy. A strategy that will not only protect wild seaweeds, but sustain the future livelihoods of the millions of farmers dependent on this invaluable resource.”

GlobalSeaweed-SUPERSTAR have recently launched a call for experts to develop the UN Seaweed Breakthrough Targets. For more information on the project and the call, please visit the Global Seaweed Superstar website

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EMBRACE: Reviving Forgotten Food Crops, Securing the Future

Published 16 Apr 2025

Tracey Hearn

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In the second quarter of our project, we set out to achieve two major milestones:

  • Identification and Collection of Seeds of Minor and Indigenous Crops and Endangered Tree Species that are threatened with extinction within our project communities.
  • Mapping of All Project Working Areas across the selected regions.

We are excited to report significant progress toward these goals, marked by deep community collaboration, invaluable traditional knowledge, and a growing sense of shared purpose.

Seeds of Heritage: A Journey with Communities
Working hand in hand with local communities, we embarked on a journey of rediscovery; identifying and collecting indigenous minor crops and endangered tree species. These are not just plants; they are living legacies. Once vital components of local food systems, these species are now teetering on the edge of obscurity, overshadowed by the dominance of commercial agriculture and changing land-use patterns.

Yet, hidden within these seeds is immense potential for nutrition, climate resilience, and biodiversity conservation. For many of the farmers and families we met, these crops represent far more than food. They are cultural treasures, passed down through generations, entwined with identity, tradition, and community memory.

Regional Coverage and Species Collected
Our field teams successfully visited fifteen communities across three regions namely Ahafo, Ashanti, and Western North. In these communities, we collected over 100 different species of minor crops, including:

  • Vegetables
  • Legumes and Oilseeds
  • Roots and Tubers
  • Cereals

Each collection was accompanied by the rich traditional knowledge surrounding their cultivation, culinary and medicinal uses, seed systems, and perceived changes in availability and use over time. These insights are not just data points; they are the stories, wisdom, and lived experiences of the communities themselves.

To preserve and share this knowledge, a comprehensive database is being developed to make this information accessible to researchers, policymakers, and development partners.

Gender Equality and Social Inclusion: A Core Commitment of the EMBRACE Project
One of the most impactful lessons from our community engagements was the need to elevate every voice, especially those of women. In nearly every community we visited, women emerged as custodians of seed knowledge, responsible for seed selection, preservation, and the intergenerational transfer of agricultural wisdom.

However, these same women are often left out of decision-making processes. That’s why Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) is not a side note; it is central to our work. We believe that true agricultural progress only happens when all farmers, regardless of gender or background, have equal access to resources, opportunities, and leadership.

More Than Seeds: Co-Creation and Conservation
The EMBRACE Project goes far beyond conservation. Through Project EMBRACE, we are not just preserving seeds, we are:

  • Reviving traditions
  • Reinforcing community resilience
  • Reclaiming food sovereignty
  • Reconnecting science with indigenous knowledge

We’re co-creating solutions with the very communities who have nurtured these crops for centuries. By listening and learning from them, we are reshaping how conservation and agriculture intersect; grounded in mutual respect, shared learning, and lasting impact.
Some of the collected seeds will be stored in community seed banks, ensuring long-term access and preservation. Others will be reintegrated into farms, gardens, and agroforestry systems, where they can continue to grow, adapt, and nourish generations to come.

Looking Ahead: Resilience Rooted in Diversity
In a world grappling with climate uncertainty, rising food insecurity, and biodiversity loss, the path forward must be one of resilience through diversity. Every seed we save, every species we protect, is a step toward a more sustainable, inclusive, and food-secure future. Let us continue to celebrate the diversity that strengthens our food systems. Let us honour the stewards of traditional knowledge and preserve the heritage that gives us not just food, but identity, resilience, and hope.

We are Listening. Learning. Preserving.
Together, we are EMBRACING the future, one seed at a time.

Dr. Hillary Mireku Botey
EMBRACE Communications

This report was reviewed and edited by: EMBRACE TEAM: Dr. Hillary Mireku Botey, Dr. Clement Oppong Peprah, Dr. Jeannette Aduhene-Chinbuah, Dr. agr. Felix Frimpong, Dr. Kwesi Atta Snr. Aidoo, Dr. Eric Owusu Danquah

Find out more on the EMBRACE website

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Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity: Can adaptive governance improve fisheries management?

Published 16 Apr 2025

Tracey Hearn

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Dyna Mapeto and Nevarson Msusa of the Community Outreach Unit of the Malawi College of Fisheries worked with the project team in Malawi and fishing communities to produce a short film introducing the idea and relevance of adaptive fisheries governance.

Please watch the video and read the blog below for further insights on adaptive fisheries governance authored by Professor Fiona Nunan, Professor of Environment and Development at the University of Birmingham.

 

 

Malawi and Uganda are both hosts of Great Lakes of Africa, being Lake Malawi and, in Uganda, lakes Victoria, Albert and Edward. Lakes Malawi and Victoria in particular are significant water bodies, with Lake Victoria being the second largest freshwater body in the world and Lake Malawi the fourth. Inland fisheries therefore make a significant contribution to food security, livelihoods and government revenue in both countries.

Given such dependence on lake fisheries, there is significant fishing pressure, evident in the number of fishers, boats and gears, leading to declining stocks and degraded lake ecosystems. Use of illegal gears, often using nets and hooks that can catch smaller fish, and methods are also contributing to this decline in stocks and degraded shoreline habitats.

Due to concerns that government doesn’t have the capacity to effectively manage fisheries on its own and also due to recognition that resource users can play an important role in fisheries management, both countries adopted a co-management approach to governing the fisheries from the 1990s. A co-management approach to governance means that resource users, and sometimes others, such as the private sector and NGOs, are involved in decision-making with government. The introduction of co-management often involves the formation of structures to facilitate community involvement. In Malawi, this involved the formation of Beach Village Committees (BVCs) and in Uganda, Beach Management Units (BMUs).

In both countries, the performance of co-management has been patchy over time, with some BVCs and BMUs being more effective than others. Both countries have experienced debates and challenges, including about which powers and functions are shared by government, how the systems are financed and how illegal fishing, linked to bribery and corruption, undermine trust and accountability. In Uganda, the co-management system was suspended in late 2015, with an interim system put in place. The 2022 Fisheries and Aquaculture Act, however, commits the government to establishing fisheries co-management committees at all levels and in Malawi, a new fisheries policy is currently being finalised.

The Building Adaptive Fisheries Governance Capacity project is therefore timely for both countries, providing an assessment of governance capacity to inform the strengthening of co-management whilst also investigating how fisheries governance can better respond to the challenges of climate change.

How can adaptive governance build on the co-management experience?
To assess adaptive fisheries governance capacity, the project developed a framework that brings together insights from literature on natural resource governance, adaptive governance, fisheries and climate change, ecosystem-based approaches to fisheries management and methods and frameworks for assessing governance capacity. The framework was finalised at national multi-stakeholder workshops held in Malawi and Uganda with inputs from government, representatives of fishing communities and NGOs.

The theory and practice of adaptive governance puts a lot of emphasis on recognising different sources of knowledge (e.g. local and traditional, as well as scientific) and using knowledge and new information to make timely changes to management measures and practices. In this way, governance should be better informed and more responsive to change.

Assessing the capacity for adaptive fisheries governance also provides the opportunity to investigate how fisheries governance and management can be more holistic and integrated, i.e. take more account of the impacts of destructive fishing methods on the lake ecosystem and assess how biodiversity could be better protected and restored. The assessment has also involved studying the resourcing and performance of the existing governance systems, and how inclusive and fair the systems are, in particular for women and more marginalised groups.

Our assessment has involved interviews, focus group discussions, transect walks and document analysis, all carried out at national level, with district local governments and with a sample of communities at two lakes in each country, lakes Chilwa and Malawi in Malawi and lakes Victoria and Kyoga in Uganda.

Initial findings from the assessment have identified challenges in sustaining information generation, use and sharing, tackling the prevalence of fishing illegalities, a key driver of biodiversity loss in the lakes, and how a more integrated approach to fisheries governance could be developed.

Over the coming months, the project team will continue to work with government, fishing communities and NGOs to review the data and identify how governance can be strengthened, biodiversity better protected and capacity to cope with climate change improved. Through this, we will help develop plans and guidelines that will be shared with other sectors and countries, to inform the development of more integrated, responsive and inclusive governance approaches for fisheries and other natural resources across the world.

With additional funding from the International Science Partnerships Fund, a short video has been produced on the project in Malawi which provides a great introduction to the fisheries of Malawi and to adaptive fisheries governance. In Uganda, an edition of The Fisher newspaper was sponsored by the project with the same additional funding, with hard copies of the newspaper distributed to district fisheries offices and fishing communities across Uganda.

You can review the newspaper here

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Blog: Balancing conservation and livelihoods – exploring local perspectives within the Indonesian seaweed industry

Published 05 Mar 2025

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By Shaun Beattie, Early Career Researcher, GlobalSeaweed SUPERSTAR

Indonesia is the world’s second-largest seaweed producer, and for more than 267,000 farming households, it’s more than just an industry – it’s a way of life. Nowhere is this more evident than in South Sulawesi, Indonesia’s largest seaweed-producing area, where vast coastal communities depend on seaweed farming for their livelihoods.

With low cultivation costs, short production cycles and minimal labour requirements, red seaweeds such as Kappapycus spp. and Eucheuma spp. have become extremely popular exports in the region. As global demand for seaweed-derived ingredients, such as carrageenan and agar continue to grow, Indonesian seaweed exports are set to rise. However, sustainable and lasting seaweed cultivation depends on healthy marine ecosystems and biodiversity-rich habitats, including those created by seaweeds themselves. Balancing conservation efforts with the industry’s rapid expansion presents a growing challenge, as this push for greater seaweed production risks putting pressure on these vital environments.

Recently, I – along with Cicilia Kambey (University of Malaya) – have been in Makassar, South Sulawesi, as part of the GCBC funded Global SeaweedSUPERSTAR project. Our goal? To explore local perspectives on the ecological and community value of seaweeds and uncover the key barriers impacting its sustainable management.

Insights and Generous Hospitality

Our goal was ambitious: to speak with and interview 100 local stakeholders, including seaweed farmers, manufacturers, aquaculture organizations, industry professionals, government officials, academic institutions, and NGOs.

As a result, these three weeks absolutely flew by as we met a number of great people, sharing conversations and insights on the current state and future of Indonesia’s seaweed industry.

What really stood out was the overwhelming support we received. Everyone we met was eager to contribute, generously sharing their time and thoughts. We were welcomed with incredible kindness, along with a nice cup of tea or coffee, as we discussed the aims of our research. On occasion, we were even treated to some incredible seaweed-based snacks and beauty products from fantastic independent business owners!

The seaweed farming communities were also eager to share their knowledge and showcase their daily routines. As we toured their farms, we often arrived to find groups of (mostly) women carefully tying individual seaweed seedlings to long lines before transporting them out to sea for cultivation. It was fascinating to see just how fast they could tie each seedling to the line at perfect intervals.

Economic Stability vs the Call for Conservation

It quickly became clear that many farmers understood the important ecological role that seaweeds played in marine ecosystems. They frequently mentioned how seaweed supports local fish stocks and acts as a nursery for juvenile fish. However, this awareness was often followed by a candid admission: that the protection of natural seaweed stocks was largely overlooked because they held little to no economic value. With the price of seaweeds fluctuating significantly in recent years, farmers were predominantly focused on securing sustainable incomes from cultivated seaweed. As a result, the protection of cultivated seaweeds was considered important, but the conservation for natural seaweed stocks was often an afterthought.

The mood for economic assurance was echoed by many of the other stakeholders we spoke with. Local NGO groups and government officials in the Department of Fisheries strongly emphasised the need for international investment to support the expansion and sustainable management of the seaweed industry. Without incentives or clear guidance, it was feared conservation would remain a lower priority for many in the industry.

Shifting Attitudes

So how can seaweed protection be implemented whilst also ensuring the needs of local communities are met?

Despite their lack of immediate ‘economic value’, corals and seagrass conservation efforts have gained significant traction in recent years. Coastal communities have become champions of their restoration and protection, largely because they now better understand healthier ecosystems benefit their livelihoods, particularly in relation to fish farming. A similar shift in attitudes could occur for seaweeds through targeted educational awareness and capacity building programmes. Many community members we spoke to were open to conservation efforts, provided they could see tangible benefits to their own lives.

One promising approach would be preliminary financing for sustainable cultivation that nudges farmers away from overharvesting practices, whilst promoting long-term sustainability. If farmers could see the economic and environmental advantages of protecting both cultivated and natural seaweed stocks, attitudes and practices may begin to shift.

Looking Ahead

These are just a few of the early observations from our time in Makassar, but one thing was clear: the immense passion and energy people have for seaweeds in South Sulawesi. I look forward to diving deeper into the responses and perspectives gathered from our interviews.

I will be presenting the results of this research at the One Ocean Science Congress (OOSC) conference in Nice, France in June 2025. I hope to discuss how these local views and practices align or contrast with global priorities in seaweed conservation, and aim to provide actional insights for advancing the sustainable management of seaweeds, that both safeguard marine biodiversity and local livelihoods.

On a final note, this research trip has reaffirmed a crucial point: harmony between conservation and economic stability remains necessary for a sustainable and successful seaweed farming industry and with the right strategies in place, this balance can start to be achieved.

 

 

 

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The GCBC 2025 Research Symposium Open Day

04 Mar 2025

10:00 - 17:00 Hrs UTC

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Each year, the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate hosts a research symposium focused on sharing big ideas, transformative practice and stories of impact.

This year, we invited the entire GCBC community to participate in the event through an online Open Day on Tuesday 4 March 2025.

The Open Day programme included four engaging sessions with speakers from around the world. You can access the session recordings below.

Additionally, the key takeaways from each panel session have been beautifully brought to life through the illustrations of Elly Jahnz.
 

Opening Session: Why supporting innovative research at the intersection of climate change, biodiversity loss, and poverty alleviation matters.


 

Panel Discussion 1: Contributing to global goals – Exploring the science behind national and global frameworks and targets.


 

Panel Discussion 2: Strengthening the connection between evidence and policy with a focus on practice from across the GCBC community.


 

Panel Discussion 3: Harnessing private sector investment in Nature-based Solutions.


 
For more information, read our blog on the Symposium, written by Samantha Morris, to explore the key outcomes from the full three-day event.

Thank you so much to all members of our GCBC research community who joined us in person and online for the symposium, and to our wonderful speakers, panelists, and chairs for your insight, expertise, and for generously giving your time to be with us.

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The GCBC Research Grant Competition 3 (RGC3) Concept Note application has CLOSED

Published 04 Feb 2025

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The GCBC Opportunities Portal for Concept Note submissions for the Third Research Grant Competition (RGC3) CLOSED at 23:00 hrs UTC, on Sunday, 16 March, 2025. Any applications submitted after that time and date will not be accepted or considered for the full proposal stage. 

The GCBC extends grateful thanks to all applicants who made submissions through the Opportunities Portal. We have been delighted with the responses to this grant call, particularly from the Global South.

Over the next few weeks we will be working through the applications, carrying out eligibility checks, technical evaluations, moderation and scientific meetings to establish the most suitable Concept Notes to take forward to the next round. 

RGC3 Themes

The two research themes of this RGC3 are:  

  • Theme 1: Using biodiversity to improve the climate resilience of agricultural, food and bioeconomy value chains – Transforming agrifood systems at scale to incorporate nature-based solutions that build biodiversity back into production landscapes to boost climate resilience and reduce poverty (open to all GCBC focus regions). 
  • Theme 2: Biodiversity hotspots in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – Building sustainable businesses from nature to adapt to climate change, protect biodiversity, and tackle poverty (focused in SIDS). 

The GCBC, a UK Official Development Assistance (ODA) programme funded by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), aims to fund a mixed portfolio of up to twenty grants in RGC3, covering a range of topics and geographies across both themes. Grants sums of between £100,000 and £1 million are offered for projects of 12-36 months duration. 

The GCBC will accept proposals for projects with activities in GCBC-eligible countries in Latin America (including Central America), the Caribbean, Sub-Saharan Africa, and South-east Asia and the Pacific and Small Island Developing States. A list of GCBC eligible countries is available here. To be accepted for funding under the GCBC programme projects must demonstrate: 

  • Fit to GCBC: All proposals need to address poverty alleviation and climate resilience, focusing on approaches that better value, protect, restore and sustainably manage biodiversity. 
  • Fit to theme: Proposals must address research questions within one of the themes set out above. 
  • GESI: All proposals must incorporate clear plans to factor in gender, equality and social inclusion from the outset. 
  • R&D: Proposed work must meet the definition of research and development: creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge (OECD, 2015). 

 

 

 

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Research Grant Competition 2 (RGC2): The GCBC awards £13.4 million in UK ODA grants for research to find nature-based solutions to climate change and poverty reduction   

Published 14 Jan 2025

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RGC2 awards 18 new project grants worth £13.4 million based on the theme: “Driving innovation in how biodiversity can support climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods through practice and governance”. 

Initial concept note applications for the second GCBC research grant competition (RGC2) numbered 507 from lead delivery partners in 60 UK-ODA eligible countries. This response more than trebled the 155 applications submitted for the first round of grants in 2023. From the initial concept notes, 56 applications were selected to submit full proposals.    

Grant awards were made using several criteria, including applications’ contribution to the context of the RGC2 theme. These involved assessing applicants’ understanding of how addressing evidence gaps in the potential of nature-based solutions using less utilised species (plants, animals, insects, fungi, trees etc.) can contribute to:   

  • improving poor livelihoods through more resilience to climate change;  
  • meeting resource or service demands; and  
  • protecting and conserving traditional knowledge and biodiversity.  

Filling these evidence gaps is critical to finding innovative approaches to guide practice and governance.  

Climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty are three of the most pressing challenges facing the world today and are fundamentally inter-linked. Climate change, driven by human activity, is increasingly and negatively affecting people and the natural environment. Biodiversity loss, which also results from human activity, is causing degraded landscapes and soil and increasing food insecurity. This exacerbates climate risk by reducing the resilience of natural and managed ecosystems. Unfortunately, those living in poverty are often the most vulnerable and the least able to respond to the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss. 

By working in partnership with scientists, research institutions and practitioners around the world, the GCBC seeks to develop innovative research and scalable approaches to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This will have an impact on ecosystem resilience to climate change, halting and reversing biodiversity loss, contributing to poverty alleviation and helping countries to achieve a nature-positive future. The GCBC is funded by the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs working in partnership with DAI as the Fund Manager Lead and Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as the Strategic Science Lead.  

The 18 projects awarded under RGC2 will be implemented in 16 UK ODA-eligible countries in the Global South; seven countries from Latin America (including Central America) and the Caribbean (Brazil; Colombia; Ecuador; Dominican Republic; Guatemala; Panama; Peru); six from Sub-Saharan Africa (Democratic Republic of Congo; Ethiopia; Ghana; Kenya; Tanzania; Republic of Congo); and three from South East Asia and the Pacific (Cambodia; Indonesia; Vietnam).  

Eleven of the RGC2 projects cover broad thematic areas: Agroforestry; Community led approaches; Integrated land / water management; and Forest restoration. Seven of the projects cover more uniquely focused research areas: Seagrass restoration; Carbon markets; Biodiverse seed bank; Mangrove restoration; Peatlands; Land use (landscape level); and Underutilised species for soil restoration.  

“This new round of 18 diverse and innovative projects represents a consolidation of the ‘Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate’ as Defra’s flagship ODA R&D programme.  These new projects will continue GCBC’s growing reputation for delivery of high-quality evidence about the effective and sustainable use of biodiversity for climate resilience and to improve livelihoods.” said Professor Gideon Henderson, Chief Scientific Adviser, UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

“As fund management lead, DAI is delighted to continue our relationship with Defra and especially to welcome the successful applicants who are joining the GCBC’s project portfolio for the next phase of the programme’s development. Through this project round, we will continue to support scientists, academics and research institutions working to build stronger capacity, increase collaboration, deliver high-impact projects and share learning on the biodiversity-climate-livelihoods nexus that will have an impact on ecosystem resilience to climate change, halting and reversing biodiversity loss and contributing to poverty alleviation,” said Luqman Ahmad, Senior Vice President, DAI.  

“As strategic science lead, the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew also welcomes the new projects to the growing portfolio. The new evidence, data and knowledge across pressures/drivers, solutions and enablers for the different themes of the grant competitions will support the adoption of systems approaches in tackling the nexus of climate, biodiversity and livelihoods. By understanding and managing the complex interactions between science, society and the multiple interacting systems through temporal and spatial scales it will be possible to recommend solutions – orientated approaches for transformative change across different sectors and regions,” said Professor Monique Simmonds, Deputy Director, Science (Partnerships), The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.    

The 18 Projects funded by RGC2:

Assessing Carbon Credits as a Sustainable Funding Mechanism for Participatory Forest Management in Tanzania – Lead Grantee: Sokoine University of Agriculture, Tanzania (Country: Tanzania)

Biodiversity for climate and social resilience: Empowerment of coastal communities in sustainable production practices in Ecuador – Lead Grantee: Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral – ESPOL, Ecuador (Country: Ecuador)

Biodiversity science in support of community-led conservation of threatened local forests in Tompotika, Central Sulawesi: Protecting biodiversity, ecosystem services and climate resilient local livelihoods – Lead Grantee: Missouri Botanical Garden (MBG), USA (Country: Indonesia)

Biodiversity potential for resilient livelihoods in the Lower Omo, Ethiopia – Lead Grantee: University of Leeds, UK (Country: Ethiopia)

BREL-Borneo: Benefits of Biodiverse Restoration for Ecosystems and Livelihoods in Borneo – Lead Grantee: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, UK (Country: Indonesia)

Cataloguing and Rating of Opportunities for Side-lined Species in Restoration of Agriculturally Degraded Soils in Sub-Saharan Africa (CROSSROADS-SSA) – Lead Grantee: University of Aberdeen, UK (Country: Ethiopia)

Creation of an Intercultural biodiverse Seed Bank with the indigenous “Resguardo Puerto Naranjo” for enhancing restoration and conservation efforts in degraded areas in the Colombian Amazon – Lead Grantee: Fundación Tropenbos, Colombia (Country: Colombia)

EMBRACE: Engaging Local Communities in Minor Crop Utilisation for Biodiversity Conservation and Livelihood Enrichment – Lead Grantee: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crops Research Institute (CSIR-CRI), Ghana (Countries: Ghana and Kenya)

Enabling large-scale and climate-resilient forest restoration in the Eastern Amazon – Lead Grantee: Lancaster University, UK (Country: Brazil)

Exploring sustainable land use pathways for ecosystems, food security and poverty alleviation: opportunities for Indonesia’s food estate programme – Lead Grantee: University of Sussex, UK (Country: Indonesia)

Forest restoration on Indigenous lands: Restoring biodiversity for multiple ecosystem services, community resilience and financial sustainability through locally informed strategies and incentives – Lead Grantee: Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute, Panama (Country: Panama)

Integrated Land and Water Management of the Greater Amanzule Wetland System – Lead Grantee: University of Education, Winneba, Ghana (Country: Ghana)

NATIVE: Sustainable Riverscape Management for Resilient Riverine Communities – Lead Grantee: University of Lincoln, UK (Countries: Colombia and Dominican Republic)

Nature based solutions for climate resilience of local and Indigenous communities in Guatemala – Lead Grantee: University of Greenwich, UK (Country: Guatemala)

Realising the potential of plant bioresources as new economic opportunities for the Ecuadorian Amazon: developing climate resilient sustainable bioindustry – Lead Grantee: Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja, Ecuador (Country: Ecuador)  

Recognising and rewarding the contribution of Indigenous knowledge for the sustainable management of biodiversity – Lead Grantee: Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS), USA (Country: Cambodia)

TRIALS: Translating Research into Action for Livelihoods and Seagrass: Establishing scientific foundation for seagrass restoration and blue carbon potential, with sustainable livelihood development for coastal communities in Central Vietnam – Lead Grantee: WWF-UK, UK (Country: Vietnam)

Using biodiversity to support climate resilient livelihoods in intact tropical peatlands  – Lead Grantee: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK   (Countries: Peru, the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo)  

 

Photo Credit (Detail): Laitche

 

 

 

 

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Agriculture Agroforestry Capacity Building Coastal Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration Food Systems Governance and Policy Improving livelihoods Indigenous Peoples Natural Resource Management Nature based solutions

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Biodiversity for climate and social resilience: Empowerment of coastal communities in sustainable production practices in Ecuador

Published 14 Jan 2025

Project Details

Country: Ecuador

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Coastal Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration Improving livelihoods

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Country: Ecuador

Lead Partner: Escuela Superior Politecnica del Litoral – ESPOL

Summary: The project aims to mitigate climate change by enhancing mangrove health, reducing human impact, and increasing fishing communities’ resilience while providing fair alternative incomes. Innovative techniques/approaches are applied to improve environmental, climate and social resilience along with novel finance solutions. This involves: a) Ecosystem recovery – evaluating trophic structure recovery through habitat restoration strategies such as cultured black cockle (BC) restocking and red mangrove afforestation; b) Ecosystem protection – offering alternative livelihoods to reduce fishing pressure on natural banks by transferring technical mariculture capacities to fisher communities, along with environmental education and social empowerment for inclusive community governance systems; and c) Valorisation – internalising ecosystem services to determine real BC extraction and trade costs, and functional ecology valuation.

Communities will use key information to demand national policies to protect their territories and livelihoods.

Photograph (detail): Diego Tirira

 

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Coastal Ecosystems Conservation and Restoration Improving livelihoods

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