Impact
BESTLIFE2030 mission and vision
BESTLIFE2030 supports local actors in driving biodiversity conservation across the EU’s outermost regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). By fostering locally led conservation initiatives, the Programme seeks to preserve and restore biodiversity while building long-term leadership and ownership within these regions. This approach not only demonstrates the EU Overseas’ strong commitment to global and regional biodiversity strategies but also ensures that conservation actions are deeply rooted in local realities.
BESTLIFE2030 and the Convention on Biological Diversity
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), sets forth an ambitious Target 3: ensuring the effective conservation of at least 30% of the planet’s terrestrial, freshwater, and marine areas by 2030. The “30×30” commitment reflects the minimum threshold required to halt and reverse the biodiversity and climate crises. Europe, through its outermost regions (ORs) and associated Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), plays a pivotal role in achieving this goal, as these territories harbour over 80% of the EU’s biodiversity.
BESTLIFE2030 is a new Programme designed to strengthen conservation across the EU Overseas. Building on past initiatives like BIOPAMA and BEST and led by IUCN as a global grant-maker, it supports NGOs, communities, and researchers. By empowering local actors and promoting conservation at scale, the programme contributes to global biodiversity goals while highlighting the EU Overseas’ leadership in this effort.
BESTLIFE2030 monitoring and evaluation
We track progress carefully to make sure every project delivers real, measurable impact. Guided by a results-based management approach, BESTLIFE2030’s monitoring and learning system helps projects adapt to change, build resilience, and share lessons—ensuring that tangible results are achieved and demonstrated.
Six clusters of impact
The BESTLIFE2030 impact and monitoring system is organised into six clusters that together provide a comprehensive view of project performance:
- Biodiversity (BESTLIFE 1 – 10): Aimed to enhance the condition of local biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Enabling Conditions (BESTLIFE 11 – 12): Aimed to set up the necessary conditions for effectively putting conservation practices into action.
- Outreach (BESTLIFE 13 – 17): Aimed to promote desired awareness and subsequent behaviour change through appropriate activities and communication.
- Employment (BESTLIFE 18): Aimed at ensuring the creation of part-time and full-time jobs thanks to the provided funding, and ideally, beyond it.
- Protected Areas (BESTLIFE 19 – 20): Aimed at establishing or expanding either protected areas or other area-based conservation measures (OECMs)
- Climate Vulnerability (BESTLIFE 21): Aimed at improving the conditions to adapt and mitigate the impact of climate change
A comprehensive list of the 21 Standardised BESTLIFE2030 indicators is provided in the Atlas booklet below, offering grantees a practical reference to guide project design, implementation, and reporting.
Making every action count
Each BESTLIFE2030 project may focus on a single community, island, or habitat, but its impact extends far beyond local borders. By supporting locally led initiatives and building strong partnerships, the Programme connects individual efforts to a global movement for biodiversity. Every tree planted, species protected, or wetland restored strengthens local resilience while contributing to global targets such as the “30×30” goal. BESTLIFE2030 shows how local action can drive global change, with strategic steps in the EU’s Overseas Regions and Territories creating ripple effects for the planet as a whole.
