{"id":310174,"date":"2025-07-31T09:53:49","date_gmt":"2025-07-31T08:53:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/?post_type=project&p=310174"},"modified":"2026-02-03T15:31:07","modified_gmt":"2026-02-03T14:31:07","slug":"natures-heartbeat","status":"publish","type":"project","link":"https:\/\/www.iucn.nl\/en\/project\/natures-heartbeat\/","title":{"rendered":"Nature’s Heartbeat\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Header photo: Forest patrol in Indonesia \u00a9 Stephanie Broekarts\/IUCN NL<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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They are on the frontlines of conservation, often working under challenging conditions to protect and restore nature and endangered species. Ecologists, activists, journalists, local communities, Indigenous peoples, women’s networks, and local youth form the beating heart of these efforts. They are indispensable. Yet too often, they do not receive the recognition and trust they deserve. With Nature’s Heartbeat, we weave their power and potential into the very fabric of global conservation.<\/strong>  <\/h4>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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With support from the Postcode Lottery, IUCN NL, Armonia Bolivia, A Rocha Ghana, Ecotrust, and NTFP-EP are joining forces in the Nature’s Heartbeat programme.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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Together, we focus on areas of high natural value and unique biodiversity that are under pressure: Key Biodiversity Areas<\/a>. Our work spans seven landscapes across five countries, which host a total of twelve vital Key Biodiversity Areas. These are landscapes where, through strong partnerships and the leadership of local conservationists, we are making a tangible difference for the fragile and important biodiversity they protect.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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Barriers faced by conservationists <\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Conservationists are facing growing pressures from climate change, political instability, and resource scarcity. Women, youth, and local organisations are particularly affected, while their valuable knowledge of nature conservation often goes underappreciated.  <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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As a result, local conservationists are insufficiently recognised or supported. They frequently operate in contexts with weak governance, complex funding landscapes, and a shrinking civic space. Funding reaches them with difficulty. Strict requirements make it difficult for small organisations to get sufficient funding. They have to meet strict requirements without help to build that capacity. This prevents them from scaling up their work, despite the fact that their efforts are essential for effective conservation. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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\u2018You can form all the committees, all the societies, all the working groups, all the charities you like, but you know that in the end it is that one individual, that one individual that has passion, that one individual that has fire in the belly, that one individual that is determined that something should be done.\u2019<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n

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