{"id":418534,"date":"2026-02-24T13:08:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-24T12:08:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=418534"},"modified":"2026-02-24T14:29:09","modified_gmt":"2026-02-24T13:29:09","slug":"record-breaking-number-of-projects-funded-by-the-land-acquisition-fund","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/record-breaking-number-of-projects-funded-by-the-land-acquisition-fund\/","title":{"rendered":"Record-breaking number of projects funded by the Land Acquisition Fund"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Its anniversary year was a unique year for the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund. In 2025, with 137 projects submitted by conservation NGOs and CSOs around the world, the Fund received the highest number of proposals since its establishment in 2001. We are pleased to announce that we could select a record number of high-quality proposals. Ten projects in nine countries in Africa, Latin America, and Asia will receive funding to protect, connect, and restore the habitat of threatened species.<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Header photo: Endangered Hyloxalus maculosus in Ecuador \u00a9<\/strong> Sam Schenker<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u2018It is a very good sign that an increasing number of local conservation NGOs and CSO are aware of our grant opportunities,\u2019 says Marc Hoogeslag, coordinator of the IUCN NL Land Acquisition Fund. \u2018At the same time, our growing number of donors enables us to support more land purchase, long-term lease of land, and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). In this way, we can amplify our impact.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Variety of species and ecosystems<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The projects selected in 2025 will be implemented in a range of ecosystems, including  a mangrove forest, a sea turtle nesting beach, and the Argentinian Cerrado. These are the habitats of vulnerable and (critically) endangered species such as the Hawksbill turtle, West African manatee, Campbell\u2019s alligator lizard, and the hooded vulture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Threats to ecosystems are often similar across the different project areas. Agricultural expansion, land clearing for cattle pastures, and logging are common pressures that endanger both nature and local livelihoods. In some of the project areas, the existence of species is also threatened by poaching, mining, or the expansion of urban areas. According to Marc Hoogeslag, \u2018the initiatives selected by the Land Acquisition Fund allow for an effective response to these threats.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Mining in the Ecuadorian Amazon \u00a9<\/strong> Ivan Castaneira<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Horned viper in Kenya \u00a9<\/strong> Wild Snake Project<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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The projects selected in 2025:<\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n
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