{"id":551140,"date":"2026-10-23T09:19:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?p=551140"},"modified":"2026-10-23T09:19:10","modified_gmt":"2026-10-23T08:19:10","slug":"natures-heartbeat-expands-support-for-locally-led-conservation-to-more-key-biodiversity-areas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/news\/natures-heartbeat-expands-support-for-locally-led-conservation-to-more-key-biodiversity-areas\/","title":{"rendered":"Nature\u2019s Heartbeat expands support for locally led conservation to more Key Biodiversity Areas"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Nature\u2019s Heartbeat protects Key Biodiversity Areas through trust-based, locally led nature conservation. Building on a successful first year with numerous organisations and communities, the programme has received additional funding.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Header photo: \u00a9 Britta Jaschinski<\/mark><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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This new support comes from a private donor which has identified Nature\u2019s Heartbeat <\/a>as a unique approach to direct funding to multiple locally led nature conservation initiatives. With 3 million euro of additional funding, Nature\u2019s Heartbeat will significantly expand its reach in Key Biodiversity Areas. These areas are vital for conserving biodiversity across terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments. While in these important landscape’s nature is also facing increased pressure from destructive activities such as logging, mining, and agricultural expansion. And while the pressure on biodiversity is growing, civic space is often shrinking.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Building on IUCN NL\u2019s more than 30 years of supporting civil society actors in nature conservation, Nature\u2019s Heartbeat began last year, with support from the Postcode Lottery, as a network spanning seven landscapes in five countries. It will now expand into a broader support system for locally led action in twelve landscapes across seven countries. The programme will now work with nine consortium partners and support around fifty grassroots community-based and civil society organisations, with the aim to further expand support both in new and existing landscapes where the program is active.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Putting local leadership at the centre of nature conservation<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The future of nature conservation depends on the people who live in and care for biodiversity-rich landscapes every day. Through Nature\u2019s Heartbeat, a wide consortium of partners, works alongside civil society organisations, Indigenous Peoples, community groups, and grassroots leaders. Together, we help safeguard nature while strengthening local rights, livelihoods, and resilience, in areas where it matters most.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Nature\u2019s Heartbeat is built on a simple principle: decisions about nature conservation are most effective when they are made by the people who know the landscapes best. By providing flexible, long-term, trust-based support, the programme enables networks of local organisations and communities across diverse landscapes to determine what is needed to protect their forests, wetlands, wildlife, and natural resources. Through this approach, local actors can respond to emerging threats, strengthen conservation governance, advocate for environmental rights, and protect biodiversity in ways that reflect local realities and priorities.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Expanding conservation in Key Biodiversity Areas<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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The expanded programme will strengthen efforts in:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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