BIOFIN - UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative

On 21–22 October, BIOFIN - UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative joined the FSP Design Lab, an intensive, hands-on workshop funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH (GIZ Namibia) through ProBATS II, in partnership with CEFE International and the NIFA Academy. The workshop brought together Namibia’s financial service providers to co-create ESG-aligned financial products for youth-led, informal, and biodiversity-linked enterprises, reimagining inclusive finance for a sustainable future. The #BIOFIN project lead, Ms. Bernadette Shalumbu-Shivute, shared insights on UNDP’s mandate, the Biodiversity Finance work in Namibia, and opportunities for local collaboration in designing financial solutions that respond to emerging #MSME needs. #UNDPinNamibia #BiodiversityFinance #InclusiveFinance #SustainableDevelopment Bernadette Shalumbu-Shivute Frida Frans Hendrina Shikalepo BIOFIN - UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative Bruno Mweemba Amanda K. S. Christian Shingiro UNDP Kuna-Ndjambi Meroro Mupurua Ronja Fischer Global Environment Facility

As we look back on last month’s 3rd National Symposium for Community-Led Initiatives on Environment Sustainability, one memorable moment stands out, when participants joined a field visit to the Kalokolevu Biodiversity Park to plant trees and witness community-led conservation in action. Established through local stewardship in 2021, the Kalokolevu Biodiversity Park is one of Fiji’s community-managed conservation areas showcasing how traditional knowledge and modern solutions can work hand in hand to protect biodiversity and support sustainable livelihoods. Led by the Ministry of Forestry and supported by the BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative visit brought together youth, women, and Indigenous representatives alongside UNDP Pacific Office in Fiji Deputy Resident Representative, Abduvakkos Abdurahmanov. Each tree planted was a collective commitment to safeguard Fiji’s natural heritage and strengthen the connection between communities and the environment. UNDP Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme Fiji

Gaborone recently came alive with energy and purpose as media professionals gathered for the First Africa Biodiversity Summit Media Training organized by the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Botswana, and supported by UNDP through the BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative project. The workshop was a strategic precursor to the upcoming African Union Summit in November, which Botswana will host under the theme “Leveraging Africa’s Biodiversity for #Prosperity.” The training was designed to equip journalists with the tools and insights needed to report on biodiversity with accuracy, depth, and creativity. Participants explored how to connect biodiversity to pressing issues like food security, economic resilience, and climate adaptation - making these stories relevant to everyday audiences. They also examined the role of media in tracking conservation financing and policies, ensuring transparency and accountability in how resources are allocated and used. A key focus of the workshop was amplifying the voices of Indigenous, marginalized, and local communities. By engaging with these groups, journalists can uncover authentic stories that reflect the lived realities of biodiversity and conservation across Africa. The training also encouraged a shift in narrative - highlighting innovative funding mechanisms such as green bonds and biodiversity offsets and showcasing the potential of nature-based solutions to drive prosperity. By the end of the workshop, media professionals left with a stronger scientific understanding and better prepared to cover the AU Summit and beyond - not just as observers, but as active contributors to Africa’s biodiversity journey. Africa’s biodiversity is more than a natural asset - it’s a foundation for inclusive growth, resilience, and opportunity. And with empowered media at the forefront, the continent is ready to tell its story like never before. #actlocalthinkglobal #Agenda2030 #Agenda2036

😐 Are you afraid of crocodiles? Well, crocodiles can live without humans, but humans cannot without them, due to the roles they play in the balance of nature. Perhaps instead of fearing them, we can help them and ourselves. To protect the Cuban crocodile, an endangered species, those who specialize in their care need to better understand how they live freely in the Zapata Swamp, their only natural habitat. To do this, they need to track them using satellite devices and design more precise conservation actions. Learn more about this crowdfunding initiative and help us share this message. Be part of an innovative effort for the conservation of Cuban biodiversity. More information at: go.undp.org/wvX To donate directly: bit.ly/3IZo99w See you in a while, crocodile. ---- 😐 ¿Le temes a los cocodrilos? Pues los cocodrilos pueden vivir sin los humanos, pero los humanos no sin ellos, por las funciones que cumplen los primeros para el equilibrio de la naturaleza. Quizás en vez de temerles, podemos ayudarles a ellos y a nosotros. Para proteger al Cocodrilo cubano, especie en peligro de extinción, quienes se especializan en cuidarlos necesitan entender mejor cómo vive de forma libre en la Ciénaga de Zapata, su único hábitat natural. Para ello necesitan seguirlos a través de dispostivos satelitales y diseñar acciones de conservación más precisas. Conoce más sobre esta iniciativa de financiamiento colectivo y ayúdanos a compartir este mensaje.   Se parte de una acción innovadora para la conservación de la biodiversidad cubana.   Más información en: go.undp.org/wvX Para donar directamente: bit.ly/3IZo99w Nos vemos pronto cocodrilo. BIOFIN - Biodiversity Finance Initiative

📢 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗼𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗦𝗠𝗘𝘀 𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗻𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗸𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀? At the First Abu Dhabi Bank (FAB) pavilion at last week's #IUCNCongress, the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) together with Conservation X Labs and UNDP hosted a session to promote the 𝙉𝙖𝙩𝙪𝙧𝙚 𝙄𝙣𝙩𝙚𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙜𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝘽𝙪𝙨𝙞𝙣𝙚𝙨𝙨 𝙂𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝘾𝙝𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙚. The challenge invites solutions providers and digital innovators to help support SMEs to overcome critical resource, knowledge, infrastructure and capacity constraints to effectively identify and assess their nature-related issues consistent with the TNFD LEAP approach. 📆 Applications close 24 November 📟 Solutions must be ready to be tested by January 2026 💵 $100,000+ prize fund 🖥️ For more information, you can now watch our first webinar on demand (https://ow.ly/spNf50XaW7w) 🔗 For full details of the Grand Challenge, download the innovator handbook (https://ow.ly/eyCu50XaW9i) This global challenge is your opportunity to deploy your solution to make nature intelligence accessible and actionable for SMEs everywhere. We will be hosting a series of webinars to support applications in November 2025. #NatureTech #TechInnovation #Startup #Innovators #TNFD