Darwin Initiative Funding Cuts Raise Concerns for Global Biodiversity Conservation

One of the United Kingdom’s longest-running international conservation funding programmes is facing significant reductions, with conservation organisations warning that the changes could have serious consequences for wildlife protection and global biodiversity efforts.

The planned changes to the Darwin Initiative will remove funding eligibility from at least 89 countries, affecting biodiversity projects across Africa, Central Asia and parts of Latin America. Conservation experts say the move risks undermining progress towards international targets aimed at halting nature loss and protecting vulnerable ecosystems.

What Is the Darwin Initiative?

The Darwin Initiative was established in 1992 following the landmark Rio Earth Summit, where world leaders agreed a series of international environmental frameworks, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

Announced by then Prime Minister John Major, the programme has supported conservation projects around the world for more than three decades. Its funding has contributed to initiatives ranging from reducing peatland forest fires in Indonesia to helping establish Bhutan’s first national botanical garden.

The initiative has become one of the UK’s most important mechanisms for supporting biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and climate resilience in developing nations.

Nearly 90 Countries Set to Lose Funding Eligibility

Under the proposed changes, at least 89 countries will no longer be eligible to apply for Darwin Initiative funding.

Regions expected to be affected include much of Africa, Central Asia and parts of Latin America. Countries reportedly facing exclusion include:

• Argentina
• Armenia
• Angola
• Chad
• Iran
• Mali
• Sudan

The changes will also affect countries that have hosted or participated in international biodiversity negotiations, including Armenia, which is due to host the next United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity conference in October.

While some nations losing eligibility are now classified as middle-income or emerging economies, conservation groups argue that many still contain globally important ecosystems that require international support.

Conservation Organisations Warn of Risks to Wildlife and Communities

Conservation leaders have expressed concern that funding reductions could weaken efforts to protect species, habitats and local communities already facing increasing environmental pressures.

Andrew Terry, ZSL’s Director of Conservation and Policy, said:

“At a time when governments have committed to CBD agreements to scale international biodiversity finance to $30 billion a year by 2030, continued cuts and restrictions risk undermining trust that those promises will actually be delivered.”

He added:

“For decades, the Darwin Initiative has been one of the UK’s most important programmes for supporting wildlife, improving livelihoods and tackling climate change in some of the regions that need support most. But reductions to the UK’s international aid budget and the removal of eligibility for 89 countries mean locally led organisations are losing vital backing at a time when communities and ecosystems are already under growing pressure. Projects funded by the Darwin Initiative are the frontline of efforts to protect communities from climate and ecosystem breakdown, and this is exactly the moment they should be strengthened, not scaled back.”

Many conservation organisations believe locally led environmental projects are among the most effective ways to protect biodiversity while supporting sustainable development.

Concerns Over Reduced Support for Local Conservation Projects

Catherine Weller, Director of Policy at Fauna & Flora, said the scale of the changes had come as a surprise to many within the conservation sector.

She said:

“We were shocked to see the extent of the geographies cast out of the Darwin Initiative this year – some good projects will now not be in contention. People living close to nature are its greatest champions, and Darwin is the type of funding they need.”

Conservation groups argue that communities living alongside forests, wetlands and other critical habitats often play a vital role in protecting biodiversity and maintaining ecosystem health.

Why Some Countries Are Being Removed

Several of the countries being excluded have experienced significant economic growth since the Darwin Initiative was first established in 1992.

Countries such as China, India, Mexico and Turkey are now considered emerging or middle-income economies. Earlier this year, the UK government announced plans to reduce development assistance to G20 nations as part of wider international aid reforms.

However, reports indicate that some G20 countries, including Brazil and Indonesia, are expected to remain eligible for Darwin Initiative funding because of their globally significant biodiversity and conservation priorities.

Wider Concerns About Nature and Climate Funding

The Darwin Initiative changes come amid broader concerns about reductions in international climate and nature funding.

Environmental organisations have warned that cuts to biodiversity finance could make it more difficult to achieve international conservation targets agreed under the Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030.

Many conservation experts argue that protecting ecosystems such as tropical rainforests, wetlands and coastal habitats is essential not only for wildlife but also for climate regulation, food security and economic stability.

UK Government Defends Funding Changes

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the changes are designed to focus resources where they can achieve the greatest conservation impact.

A Defra spokesperson said:

“We have made a deliberate choice to focus our efforts where biodiversity loss is most acute and where Darwin Initiative funding can deliver the biggest measurable difference for nature and people.

“The trade-off is clear: spread our efforts thinly or concentrate funding where it can achieve the greatest impact. The Darwin Initiative has been delivering for conservation and development across the globe for over 30 years and we remain committed to maximising its impact and achieving the greatest biodiversity benefit for all.”

Future Uncertainty for International Biodiversity Projects

Although existing Darwin Initiative projects are not expected to lose funding, the full scale of future budget reductions has not yet been confirmed.

Conservation organisations are continuing to call for stronger commitments to international biodiversity finance, warning that long-term investment will be essential if countries are to meet global targets for protecting species, restoring habitats and tackling the growing impacts of climate change.

As governments prepare for upcoming international biodiversity negotiations, the debate over conservation funding is likely to remain a key issue in efforts to address the global nature crisis.

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