Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas - BEST 2.0 +

BEST 2.0+ is a programme financed by the European Commission (EC) – DG DEVCO, as part of the EU Biodiversity for Life (B4Life) initiative. It is a direct follow up of the BEST 2.0 Programme carried out previously, in which between 2011 and 2018, 90 projects have been financed. The BEST 2.0+ initiative facilitates the continuation of important environmental and conservation work, providing grant funding for field actions on the ground in the EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).

The OCTs are found in five regions around the world:
• Pacific
• Caribbean
• South Atlantic
• Indian Ocean
• Polar and Sub-Polar

BEST 2.0 Map showing the 5 regions of overseas Countries and Territories eligible for grant aid

Background

SAERI Falklands Ltd (SFL) is the South Atlantic Regional Focal Point (RFP) for the BEST 2.0+ programme for the South Atlantic Region; covering Ascension Island, the Falkland Islands, St Helena (UK), and Tristan da Cuhna.

Each of these areas offer high biodiversity but are also extremely vulnerable from invasive species, development and climate change. Programmes such as BEST 2.0+ are ideal in that they provide funding to help address these needs through biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of ecosystems in the implementation of small-scale and medium-scale field actions on the ground. It facilitates the actions of local stakeholders to address the needs and demands within each area to unlock their potential and effect positive and sustainable change.

Left: Tristan da Cunha ©Ness Smith & Right: The Peaks , St Helena Island

Project Objectives

To promote the conservation of biodiversity and sustainable use of ecosystem services, including ecosystem based approach to climate change adaption and mitigation, in the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs).

Through this, BEST 2.0+ will enable, empower, and strengthen local authorities and civil society organisations which are committed to local development, biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of ecosystem services in OCTs.

Finally BEST 2.0+ aims to increase its visibility of the OCTs as key innovators of ecosystem-based approaches and key contributors to the achievement of EU and international biodiversity targets.

Project Contact

TARA PELEMBE

Call for Proposals:

Grants amount to a maximum of €60,000, with a maximum duration of 19 months.

For eligibility criteria, please see the guidelines for applicants document on the useful documents tab on the BEST2.0+ website.

Should you have any questions, please see the contact details on the right, or consult the guidance notes on the BEST2.0+ website.

Timeline:

The deadline for submission of a concept note has now passed, we thank you for your interest.

Applicants will be notified in December 2020 regarding the outcome of the assessment of the concept notes. Successful applications will be invited to submit a full proposal by March 2021

Links of interest:

Best 2.0 website
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) provides public, private and non-governmental organisations with the knowledge and tools that enable human progress, economic development and nature conservation to place together
The European Union is the key funding body in the BEST programme.
B4Life responds to global threats to biodiversity and addresses the need to enable sustainable development as part of efforts to conserve ecosystems.
Panorama solutions promote examples of inspiring replicable solutions throughout a range of conservation and development topics.
responds to global threats to biodiversity and addresses the need to enable sustainable development as part of efforts to conserve ecosystems.

This webpage was created and maintained with the financial support of the European Union. Its contents are the sole responsibility of SAERI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.