{"id":158940,"date":"2024-02-02T15:07:15","date_gmt":"2024-02-02T14:07:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?post_type=project&#038;p=158940"},"modified":"2026-03-25T13:52:55","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T12:52:55","slug":"bestlife2030-nature-conservation-on-aruba-bonaire-curacao-saba-st-eustatius-and-st-maarten","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/project\/bestlife2030-nature-conservation-on-aruba-bonaire-curacao-saba-st-eustatius-and-st-maarten\/","title":{"rendered":"BESTLIFE2030: nature conservation on Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p class=\"has-cyan-bluish-gray-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fd46c2625635722fa0dddd7169c001fa\"><em>Header photo: Arikok Natural Park <strong>\u00a9<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAFGHpX-5lY\/VLo9V6B_Z9ZevEDUQlzSbQ\/edit#\">Diego Mariottini<\/a> from <a href=\"https:\/\/www.canva.com\/design\/DAFGHpX-5lY\/VLo9V6B_Z9ZevEDUQlzSbQ\/edit#\">Getty Images Pro<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>BESTLIFE2030 provides funding for nature conservation and restoration projects in the European Union&#8217;s overseas territories, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten.<\/strong><\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>A key aspect of the EU\u2019s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is to help stop and reverse the loss of global biodiversity. The EU&#8217;s Outermost Regions (ORs) and associated Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) host particularly rich biodiversity yet find themselves, at the same time, among the places that are most vulnerable to climate change and exposed to a series of specific environmental pressures.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The BESTLIFE2030 programme provides funding for projects aimed at protecting and restoring biodiversity, protecting natural resources and adapting to climate change in these areas.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>The programme focuses on six regions: Amazonia, Caribbean, Pacific islands, Indian Ocean,Macaronesia and Greenland. As a regional hub, IUCN NL is the focal point for Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>BESTLIFE2030 is funded by LIFE, a European environmental and climate action grant program. It is coordinated by IUCN Europe.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:33.33%\"><div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"223\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-1024x223.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-144522 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-1024x223.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-300x65.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-768x167.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-1536x334.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2023\/09\/EN-Co-funded-by-the-EU_POS-2048x446.jpg 2048w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/223;\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Grantees and projects<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<p>In 2025 and 2026, the organisations and projects listed below have been funded by the BESTLIFE2030 program, with a total budget of nearly \u20ac2.2 million:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aruba<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>University of Aruba<\/strong>: Restoring Ecosystems and Empowering Future Leaders through Community Transformation (REEFLECT)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bonaire<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Foundation Internos<\/strong>: <div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Nature Based Solutions for sediment stabilization and erosion control<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-mangroves-on-bonaire-towards-a-more-climate-resilient-future\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/verhaal\/herstel-van-mangroves-op-bonaire-naar-een-klimaatbestendige-toekomst\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lagun restoration. Interventions in the catchment, restoring mangroves and improving conditions in the bay<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stichting Nationale Parken Bonaire<\/strong>:<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-vulnerable-habitat-and-ensuring-sustainable-use-on-klein-bonaire\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-vulnerable-habitat-and-ensuring-sustainable-use-on-klein-bonaire\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Klein Bonaire: building climate resilience through sustainable use and habitat restoration<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>REWILD Slagbaai: Reducing invasive grazer pressures to restore native vegetation and enhance biodiversity in a terrestrial protected area<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cura\u00e7ao<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Caribbean Research and Management of Biodiversity Foundation<\/strong>: CORAL BANK: Rescue, preservation, and propagation of endangered coral diversity through cryopreservation and coral breeding<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Foundation Cura\u00e7ao Deep Reef Research Center<\/strong>: <div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-the-natural-queen-conch-population-in-the-caribbean\/\">Optimize the production of juvenile Queen Conch of the Cura\u00e7ao Queen Conch Hatchery<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reaching conservation goals for the Queen Conch population on Curacao<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ministry of Health, Environment and Nature<\/strong>: Santa Rosa nature &amp; heritage park<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Reef Enhancement And Community Training Foundation<\/strong>: Community-Driven Reef Enhancement in Cura\u00e7ao: Integrating Propagation, Enhancement &amp; Stewardship<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>SMD Consultancy BV<\/strong>: Harmonization of Cetacean Management in the ABC islands toward new sanctuaries and crossboundaries regulations for crossboundaries endangered species (phase 1).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Stichting Friends of Sea Turtle Conservation Curacao<\/strong>: Building Turtle Conservation Infrastructure on Klein Cura\u00e7ao: Nesting Beach Protection Amid Tourism Pressure<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Saba<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Public Entity Saba<\/strong>: Safeguarding Saba&#8217;s Biodiversity: Initiating Biosecurity Controls and Protecting Biodiversity via Invasive Species Eradication<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Eustacius<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Government of St. Eustatius<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/working-with-nature-introducing-syntropic-agroforestry-to-st-eustatius\/\">Syntropic Agroforestry Farming Pilot Project for Sint Eustatius<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Sint Eustatius National Parks Foundation<\/strong>: Habitat Mapping and Marine Spatial Planning of the Sint Eustatius National Marine Park<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Sint Maarten<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n<div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Environmental Protection in the Caribbean<\/strong> <strong>(EPIC)<\/strong>: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/biodiversity-restoration-of-breeding-habitat-for-the-least-tern-and-the-caribbean-brown-pelican\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/verhaal\/biodiversiteitsherstel-van-broedgebied-voor-de-amerikaanse-dwergstern-en-de-caribische-bruine-pelikaan\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Species and Habitat-based Biodiversity Restoration on Sint Maarten, Dutch West Indies<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Nature Foundation Sint Maarten<\/strong>: <div class=\"block block-container small-12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/building-a-better-future-for-both-fish-and-fishers-on-sint-maarten\/\" data-type=\"link\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/verhaal\/bouwen-aan-een-betere-toekomst-voor-zowel-vissen-als-vissers-op-sint-maarten\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Marine Elasmobranch Nursery Area Assessment (MENAA): Establishing Sint Maarten\u2019s coastal habitat and wetlands as a shark and ray nursery area<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protection through Biosecurity: A Strategic Initiative for Sint Maarten<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<div class=\"background background-preset-primary\" id=\"block_93891c49c9adad6010d98fc351e95e5f\">\n             <div class=\"dark custom-padding-top\">\n    \n\n\n<div class=\"smallteam-members__name12 large-offset-1 large-10\">\n\t<div id=\"team-members-block_9b89237c4dc5caa2f4abaff427095cd6\" class=\"team-members team-members-block block\">\n\t\t<span class=\"anchor-id\" id=\"\"><\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"team-members__title\">\n\t\t\t\t<div>More information<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"team-members__body small-12 grid-x\">\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/57IUCN-290915-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2021\/02\/57IUCN-290915-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/2560;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Caspar\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVerwer<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Senior Expert Nature Conservation<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:caspar.verwer@iucn.nl\">caspar.verwer@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__socials\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/caspar-verwer-65835728\/?originalSubdomain=nl\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-linkedin\" aria-label=\"Linkedin profile of Caspar Verwer\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"Linkedin logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/casparverwer\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-twitter\" aria-label=\"Twitter profile of Caspar Verwer\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/twitter-icon.svg\" alt=\"Twitter logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__item grid-x small-12 medium-6\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image cell shrink\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mark-van-der-wal\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__image-wrapper lazyload\" style=\"background-image:inherit;\" data-bg-image=\"url(&#039;https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2022\/07\/40Mark-IUCN-040722-scaled.jpg&#039;)\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2022\/07\/40Mark-IUCN-040722-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 2560px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 2560\/2560;\" \/>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info cell auto\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__info-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__details\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mark-van-der-wal\/\" target=\"\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__name\">Mark\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tvan der Wal<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__jobtitle\">Senior Expert Ecosystems &#038; Extractives<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__email\">Email:\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"mailto:mark.vanderwal@iucn.nl\">mark.vanderwal@iucn.nl<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__readmore\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/mark-van-der-wal\/\" target=\"\">Full profile<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"team-members__socials\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/nl.linkedin.com\/in\/mark-van-der-wal-4a809123\" class=\"team-members__socials-icon ico-linkedin\" aria-label=\"Linkedin profile of Mark van der Wal\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/themes\/gopublic-motor-theme-child\/src\/images\/linkedin-icon.svg\" alt=\"Linkedin logo\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"posts related_content small-12\">\n    <div class=\"post__titlebar grid-x\">\n                    <h2 class=\"post__title\">BESTLIFE2030 programme updates<\/h2>\n            <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"post__body\">\n                    <div class=\"grid-x grid-margin-x show-for-medium\">\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-mangroves-on-bonaire-towards-a-more-climate-resilient-future\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251101_091618-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251101_091618-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251101_091618-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Restoring mangroves on Bonaire: towards a more climate-resilient future\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-vulnerable-habitat-and-ensuring-sustainable-use-on-klein-bonaire\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-9-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-9-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-9-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Restoring vulnerable habitat and ensuring sustainable use on Klein Bonaire\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/building-a-better-future-for-both-fish-and-fishers-on-sint-maarten\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Little-Bay-Spotted-Eagle-Ray-scaled-e1758632092257-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Little-Bay-Spotted-Eagle-Ray-scaled-e1758632092257-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Little-Bay-Spotted-Eagle-Ray-scaled-e1758632092257-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Building a better future for both fish and fishers on Sint Maarten\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"cell large-3 medium-6 small-12\">\n                        <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/biodiversity-restoration-of-breeding-habitat-for-the-least-tern-and-the-caribbean-brown-pelican\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pelicans-on-rock-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pelicans-on-rock-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pelicans-on-rock-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Biodiversity Restoration of Breeding Habitat for the Least Tern and the Caribbean Brown Pelican\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                    <\/div>\n                            <\/div>\n            <div class=\"show-for-small-only\">\n                <div class=\"orbit\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"BESTLIFE2030 programme updates\" data-orbit>\n                    <div class=\"orbit-wrapper\">\n                        <ul class=\"orbit-container\">\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-mangroves-on-bonaire-towards-a-more-climate-resilient-future\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251101_091618-scaled-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251101_091618-scaled-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/20251101_091618-scaled-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Restoring mangroves on Bonaire: towards a more climate-resilient future\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/restoring-vulnerable-habitat-and-ensuring-sustainable-use-on-klein-bonaire\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-9-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-9-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/12\/website-Uitgelichte-foto-bij-bericht-9-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Restoring vulnerable habitat and ensuring sustainable use on Klein Bonaire\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/building-a-better-future-for-both-fish-and-fishers-on-sint-maarten\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Little-Bay-Spotted-Eagle-Ray-scaled-e1758632092257-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Little-Bay-Spotted-Eagle-Ray-scaled-e1758632092257-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Little-Bay-Spotted-Eagle-Ray-scaled-e1758632092257-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Building a better future for both fish and fishers on Sint Maarten\u00a0\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                    <li class=\"is-active orbit-slide\">\n                                <article class=\"post post-type-post\">\n\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/story\/biodiversity-restoration-of-breeding-habitat-for-the-least-tern-and-the-caribbean-brown-pelican\/\">\n        <div class=\"post__image\"\n            data-interchange=\"[https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pelicans-on-rock-600x0-c-default.jpg, small], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pelicans-on-rock-800x0-c-default.jpg, medium], [https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/app\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Pelicans-on-rock-1800x0-c-default.jpg, large]\">\n            \n            <div class=\"post__in\">\n                <div class=\"post__in--info\">\n                                    <div class=\"post__in--label\">\n                                                                                    Feature stories\n                                                                        <\/div>\n\n                                                                <h3>\n                            Biodiversity Restoration of Breeding Habitat for the Least Tern and the Caribbean Brown Pelican\n                        <\/h3>\n                                    <\/div>\n                <div class=\"post__link\">\n                    <i class=\"fas fa-arrow-right\"><\/i>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n        <\/div>\n    <\/a>\n\n<\/article>\n                            <\/li>\n                                                <\/ul>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <nav class=\"orbit-bullets\">\n                                                                            <button class=\"is-active\" data-slide=\"0\">\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span>\n                            <span class=\"show-for-sr\" data-slide-active-label><\/span>\n                        <\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"1\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"2\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                                                    <button data-slide=\"3\"><span class=\"show-for-sr\"><\/span><\/button>\n                                                                <\/nav>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Header photo: Arikok Natural Park \u00a9 Diego Mariottini from Getty Images Pro BESTLIFE2030 provides funding for nature conservation and restoration projects in the European Union&#8217;s overseas territories, including Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao, Saba, St. Eustatius and St. Maarten. A key aspect of the EU\u2019s Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 is to help stop and reverse the loss [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":158890,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":""},"project-category":[356],"class_list":["post-158940","project","type-project","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","project-category-nature-conservation"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project\/158940","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/project"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/158890"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=158940"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"project-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/project-category?post=158940"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}