Abu Dhabi, 3 November 2025 – Under the banner “Powering Transformative Conservation,” the IUCN World Conservation Congress (9–15 October, Abu Dhabi) brought together governments, scientists, Indigenous leaders, and community representatives to chart a course for a nature-positive future. Among the initiatives showcased was BESTLIFE2030, a Programme demonstrating how collaborative and flexible funding can accelerate conservation impact.
“BESTLIFE2030 is much more than a funding Programme, it is an opportunity to connect existing tools, strengthen local capacities and make biodiversity an integrated priority in all Overseas policies and funding,” said Cyrille Barnerias, Head of Europe and International Affairs team at the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB).
Here are five takeaways from BESTLIFE2030’s journey at the Congress – insights that will guide the next chapter of action for nature and people.
Local action, global impact: Islands leading the way
At the session Scaling up on-the-ground conservation action in the EU Overseas, speakers from island nations and territories reminded participants that the most powerful solutions often begin on the smallest islands.
Kate Brown of the Global Island Partnership reflected on the origins of this work:
“Biodiversity on islands was in steep decline, and resources were scarce. The key challenge remains turning local implementation into global impact.”
She emphasised the importance of elevating diverse voices and linking efforts across governance levels: “We need to work together – internationally, regionally, and locally.”
Penny Becker of Island Conservation noted that partnerships between islands are essential to sustaining biodiversity hotspots that benefit not only island communities but the mainland too. “Local ownership of outcomes is what makes the difference,” she said.
Speakers including Haizea Jimenez from the IUCN French Committee and Pierre Carret from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund highlighted the adaptability of flexible funding, while Josephine Laka, a Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC) Specialist in Papua New Guinea captured the spirit of the discussion: “Conservation cannot succeed if we don’t prioritise the livelihoods of people.”
Across continents and oceans, the message was clear – local action is not small-scale; it is foundational.
Smarter, fairer grant-making as a catalyst for empowerment
If islands are at the heart of local action, funding is the force that keeps it alive. At the Congress, grant-making emerged as a powerful enabler of locally led conservation, showcased through two complementary sessions that explored both impact and practice.
Demonstrating impact
In Granting Conservation a Chance: Exploring the Impact of IUCN’s Grant-Making Programmes, speakers illustrated how IUCN’s diverse funding facilities – including BESTLIFE2030, BIOPAMA, Mubadarat Mediterranean, and others – are transforming conservation outcomes through small, strategic, and inclusive grants.
Trevor Sandwith, Director of the IUCN Centre for Conservation Action, described the approach as “beyond funding – a catalyst for empowerment, capacity, and inclusion.”
From Tunisia’s North African Wild Traces, where a seed grant bridged park authorities and communities, to the Tree Kangaroo Conservation Programme in Papua New Guinea, where grants empower women to lead conservation, participants saw how flexible funding can foster ownership and measurable results.
Sharing best practices
A second session – Better Grant-making: Exploring best practices and knowledge sharing for grant-making facilities in empowering conservation actors – took a more interactive approach, inviting grantees, partners, and donors to co-design solutions for more effective and equitable funding.
Participants mapped the diversity of IUCN’s grant facilities, identifying donors, thematic areas, and geographic coverage before delving into a set of collaborative exercises.
As one participant summarised: “The greatest innovation in grant-making is trust — listening, learning, and adapting together.”
Together, these two sessions offered a complete picture — from demonstrating measurable impact to shaping the practices that make it possible.
Building strong organisations for lasting conservation
Behind every thriving project, stands a resilient organisation. In the panel Sustainable Organisational Development of Civil Society: For Whom, Why, How? experts from PPI, the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), the African Marine Conservation Organisation (AMCO), Fondation Hans Wilsdorf, and BESTLIFE2030 discussed what it takes to build resilient conservation organisations.
Aurélien Garreau (PPI, CEPF) emphasised that development must start from the ground up: “Regional partners who know the context are key to identifying priorities and building trust.”
Cristina Romero (BESTLIFE2030, IUCN) shared how over 150 projects have been supported through tailored capacity-building and peer learning: “Hands-on support and regional partnerships strengthen financial management and reporting, building durable capacity that lasts beyond projects.”
Malika Dreyfuss (Fondation Hans Wilsdorf) noted that donors, too, benefit from learning: “Flexibility and listening are key to measuring impact beyond budgets – in trust, inclusion, and results.”
The discussion underscored that investing in organisations is investing in ecosystems.
Strong, trusted local institutions are the foundation of sustainable, long-term conservation.
Communication that transforms conservation
If conservation begins with action, it endures through connection. The session Communications for Conservation Action: Advancing Effective Communications for Conservation Impact explored how effective communication can change behaviour, influence policy, and galvanise collective action.
Facilitated by the Centre for Conservation Action, the Commission on Education and Communication, and partners such as BIOPAMA, BESTLIFE2030, On the Edge, and Honey Guide Foundation, the session showcased diverse tools and approaches – from digital storytelling and social media campaigns to youth-led outreach.
Participants reflected on what makes communication transformative:
- It connects emotionally, bringing conservation stories to life;
- It centres local storytellers, giving voice to those closest to nature; and
- It turns data into dialogue, using evidence to inspire empathy and action.
In creative “idea labs”, participants imagined launching bold new biodiversity campaigns in their own communities. As one takeaway captured it: “Communication is not an add-on to conservation – it is conservation in action.”
Mapping local conservation for global coherence
In a Congress session called Mapping designated areas across the EU Overseas, BESTLIFE2030 presented a new ArcGIS map showcasing conservation action across the EU Overseas. Each project point tells a story – of local innovation, collaboration, and commitment to biodiversity.
By layering information from Ramsar Sites, Natura 2000 areas, and Key Biodiversity Areas, the tool illustrates how local actions contribute to global targets and how data can unite conservation practitioners worldwide.
As Erwin Amavassee observed, “This map connects the dots – showing the collective power of EU Overseas Territories in tackling global challenges.” Danielle Derrick added, “Maps create neutral ground. When everyone sees the same coastline or reef, conversation shifts from disagreement to collaboration.”
Beyond a data platform, the map represents a network of people, policies, and projects – transforming fragmented efforts into a shared story of conservation success.
A collective call to action
Across every session, one theme prevailed: transformative conservation begins with empowered local actors.
From islands to inland communities, BESTLIFE2030’s work at the Congress demonstrated that when inclusive funding, strong institutions, effective communication, and transparent data align, conservation becomes both equitable and enduring.
As Guy Western of SORALO reminded participants in the Enhancing conservation effectiveness through local ownership session:
“When we support communities to achieve their own conservation priorities rather than trying to win their support for conservation, we achieve long-term impact.”
The Congress reaffirmed the shared commitment of IUCN and its partners to a single vision – One Nature, One Humanity, One Future.
