IUCN Bestlife2030

24/10/2026

🌿 How can we make island biodiversity conservation last?

Twenty years ago, countries adopted the Island Biodiversity Programme of Work at C*D COP8 in Curitiba, establishing a shared framework for protecting island biodiversity.

Today, as countries gather at in Yerevan, an important question remains: How can we ensure that biodiversity commitments continue delivering results beyond individual projects?

🌍 Lasting conservation depends on more than funding individual activities. It requires strong institutions, regional partnerships and sustained financial support that enable local organisations to continue protecting biodiversity over time.

On Monday, 26 October, the side event “From Curitiba to Yerevan: 20 Years of the Island Biodiversity Programme of Work and the Solutions That Made Commitments Last” will bring together island leaders and conservation experts to explore the financing solutions and partnerships needed to sustain biodiversity commitments.

As a co-convenor, BESTLIFE2030 supports this important exchange. Across EU overseas territories, the Programme helps enable locally led conservation through accessible funding, regional support and knowledge exchange. These experiences contribute to broader discussions on how conservation efforts can be sustained over time.

🎤 Speakers include Ambassador Safiya Sawney (Government of Grenada and GLISPA Board Chair), Hanung Cahyono (Coral Triangle Initiative), Karen McDonald Gayle (Caribbean Biodiversity Fund) and Leigh Morris (UK Overseas Territories Conservation Forum) with Kate Brown (Global Island Partnership) moderating the discussion.

📅 Monday 26 October | 09:30–10:30
📍 Nature Positive Pavilion (small room), COP17, Yerevan

Join the conversation on how island leadership, strong partnerships and long-term financing can help turn biodiversity commitments into lasting conservation outcomes!



IUCN, The Pew Charitable Trusts

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

22/10/2026

🌿 From Islands to Impact: What can the world learn from island leadership?

At in Yerevan, conservation practitioners and organisations came together to explore how island experience can support effective and equitable biodiversity conservation.

Three perspectives from the “From Islands to Impact” side event highlighted the importance of working together, sharing knowledge and strengthening regional cooperation.

💬 Leigh Morris, The Wildlife Trusts highlighted the importance of learning between island networks:

“Some of the strongest learning and capacity building is between people on different islands and we collectively must maximise the opportunities for this to happen.”

💬 Sylvain Petit, SMILO - Small Islands Organisation emphasised the contribution of small islands to marine conservation:

“Small islands, regardless of their administrative boundaries, are powerful, resilient and inspiring territories that can drive the effective management of Marine Protected Areas and Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures, helping countries achieve Target 3 and go beyond.”

💬 Helena Jeffrey Brown, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States highlighted the value of collective action:

“Through the OECS 30x30 Transformation Programme, we are demonstrating that small islands can achieve transformative conservation outcomes through collective action.”

These perspectives reinforce the importance of island leadership, collaboration and locally adapted solutions in achieving global biodiversity goals.

Through , IUCN supports locally led conservation in EU overseas territories by providing accessible funding, regional support and opportunities for knowledge exchange.

🌍 Island experience offers valuable lessons for turning global biodiversity commitments into practical conservation action.

IUCN, Pacific-Community-SPC



The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

20/10/2026

🌿 What can islands teach the world about protecting biodiversity?

Islands are home to extraordinary biodiversity, but they are also places where local communities and conservation practitioners are developing practical solutions to protect nature.

At , the side event “From Islands to Impact” will explore how island leadership and local experience can help achieve Target 3 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Through , IUCN supports locally led conservation in EU overseas territories by providing accessible funding, regional support and opportunities to exchange knowledge.

🌍 The discussion will feature representatives from IUCN, SMILO - Small Islands Organisation, Pacific-Community-SPC, Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, The Wildlife Trusts sharing perspectives on effective and equitable conservation.

📅 Wednesday 21 October | 10:45–11:45
📍 FPWC Blue Zone Pavilion, Meridian Exhibition Centre, Yerevan

Discover how island experience can contribute to global biodiversity action!

🔗 More information: https://bit.ly/4iuw8ds



The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

19/10/2026

🌿 From island leadership to global biodiversity action!

Today marks the opening of C*D COP17 in Yerevan, Armenia, where countries and conservation partners are coming together to accelerate action for nature.

Islands are home to extraordinary biodiversity, but they are also leading the way in developing practical conservation solutions.

Through BESTLIFE2030, the European Union supports locally led conservation across EU overseas territories, helping local organisations access funding and regional support to protect biodiversity.

🌍 At COP17, BESTLIFE2030 will contribute to two important discussions:

📅 21 October: From Islands to Impact – exploring what the world can learn from island leadership in achieving global biodiversity targets.

📅 26 October: From Curitiba to Yerevan – highlighting how sustained conservation finance can help island biodiversity commitments deliver lasting results.

These conversations will bring island experience into the global discussion on how to turn biodiversity commitments into meaningful action.

Stay tuned for updates and key takeaways!



LIFE Programme, IUCN

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

13/10/2026

Repost: 🌱 Speaker spotlight | Ecosystem Restoration

Meet Dr. Luís Freitas, one of the speakers joining our Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on 8 October.

Luís is a researcher and Head of the Science Unit at the Madeira Whale Museum. His research focuses on marine mammal biology, ecology, and conservation.

Since 1996, he has led 12 scientific projects and contributed to several others, generating evidence that has informed whale-watching regulations and a proposal for a Site of Community Importance for cetaceans in Madeira.

During the webinar, Luís will share experience from MARVEL – Madeira: Advancing in Regular Vigilance of the Environment and Legislative Compliance, as we explore what restoration projects working in different ecosystems and regions can learn from one another.

📅 8 October 2026 | 15:00–17:00 CEST
🗣️ Live interpretation in English and French

🔗 Find out more and register: https://bit.ly/4rzZIRR



LIFE Programme, Consulta Europa, Museu da Baleia da Madeira - MBM

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

08/10/2026

Happening today at 15:00 CEST!

What can ecosystem restoration projects working in different regions learn from one another?

Join us for the second Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange, bringing together grantees from Madeira, Bonaire and Guadeloupe to share their experiences, successes and challenges.

🌿 From mangrove rehabilitation and ecological connectivity to Nature-based Solutions for erosion control, discover how grantees are approaching ecosystem restoration across the EU Overseas.

📅 Today, 8 October | 15:00–17:00 CEST
🗣️ Live interpretation in English and French

🔗 Register here: https://bit.ly/4AWIKkY



LIFE Programme, IUCN

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

07/10/2026

🌱 Speaker spotlight | Ecosystem Restoration

Meet Dr. Luís Freitas, one of the speakers joining our Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on 8 October.

Luís is a researcher and Head of the Science Unit at the Madeira Whale Museum. His research focuses on marine mammal biology, ecology, and conservation.

Since 1996, he has led 12 scientific projects and contributed to several others, generating evidence that has informed whale-watching regulations and a proposal for a Site of Community Importance for cetaceans in Madeira.

During the webinar, Luís will share experience from MARVEL – Madeira: Advancing in Regular Vigilance of the Environment and Legislative Compliance, as we explore what restoration projects working in different ecosystems and regions can learn from one another.

📅 8 October 2026 | 15:00–17:00 CEST
🗣️ Live interpretation in English and French

🔗 Find out more and register: https://bit.ly/4rzZIRR



LIFE Programme, Consulta Europa, Museu da Baleia da Madeira - MBM

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

How are organisations across the EU Overseas addressing shared conservation challenges? A new BESTLIFE2030 webinar series will connect grantees across regions to exchange practical experience and learn from one another. Join the first two sessions on 6 and 8 October, focusing on sustainable manageme...

07/10/2026

🌿 New funding opportunity for biodiversity conservation across Europe’s Overseas territories

The third BESTLIFE2030 call for proposals is now open, supporting locally led projects in the EU’s outermost regions and Overseas Countries and Territories.

The call comes as the EU strengthens its focus on the resilience, biodiversity and sustainable development of its Overseas territories. BESTLIFE2030 helps translate these wider priorities into conservation action on the ground.

We are looking for projects that can deliver tangible, measurable, and sustainable conservation outcomes and build on existing knowledge, experience, and approaches.

📅 Apply by 8 December 2026 at 14:00 CET.

Find the guidelines, applicant resources and information on available support: https://bit.ly/47FbRvD



LIFE Programme, IUCN

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

07/10/2026

🌱 Speaker spotlight | Ecosystem Restoration

Meet Jean-Marc Pasbeau, one of the speakers joining our Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on 8 October.

Working in Marie-Galante, Guadeloupe, Jean-Marc is an economist specialising in territorial development who has worked alongside elected officials on the island since 1986.

Building on extensive experience in project management, EU-funded projects and European affairs, he now focuses on developing the circular economy and conserving biodiversity. As coordinator of the Territoire engagé pour la nature initiative, he oversees the development of the Intermunicipal Biodiversity Atlas and the ecological restoration project for the Vieux-Fort River.

During the webinar, Jean-Marc will share experience from the restoration of the ecological continuity of the mouth of the Vieux-Fort River, contributing to an exchange on approaches to ecosystem restoration across different regional contexts.

📅 8 October 2026 | 15:00–17:00 CEST
🗣️ Live interpretation in English and French

🔗 Find out more and register: https://bit.ly/4rzZIRR



The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

LIFE Programme, Communauté de Communes de Marie-Galante, Office français de la biodiversité

06/10/2026

🌱 Speaker spotlight | Ecosystem Restoration

Meet Sabine Engel, one of the speakers joining our Inter-Regional Knowledge Exchange on 8 October.

Based in Bonaire, Sabine is a marine biologist and Director of Internos/Mangrove Maniacs. Her expertise spans coral reefs, queen conch, seagrass, mangroves, climate change and coastal restoration.

Her work focuses on strengthening the long-term impact of conservation projects and supporting healthy coastal ecosystems and the communities that depend on them. She also co-founded the Tropical Restoration Network to strengthen regional collaboration and facilitate the exchange of knowledge and expertise.

During the webinar, Sabine will share experience from the BESTLIFE2030 project Nature-based Solutions for sediment stabilisation and erosion control as part of the exchange on ecosystem restoration across the EU Overseas.

📅 8 October 2026 | 15:00–17:00 CEST
🗣️ Live interpretation in English and French

🔗 Find out more and register: https://bit.ly/4rzZIRR



The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or CINEA. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

LIFE Programme, STINAPA Bonaire