The European Union’s initiative, BESTLIFE2030, has officially opened its doors to environmental champions and conservation enthusiasts in the EU Overseas. Consulta Europa, as the Regional Focal Point for Macaronesia, is leading the way in this programme, which aims to fund over 220 conservation projects over the next eight years, spanning six regions, including the breathtaking Macaronesia, encompassing the Azores, Canary Islands, and Madeira.
In the wake of the remarkable conservation successes accomplished by the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in Territories of European Overseas (BEST), BESTLIFE2030 is thrilled to announce the launch of its first call for proposals on October 31, 2023. This marks a significant milestone in the ongoing efforts to preserve our planet’s natural heritage.
Why is this call significant?
Overseas entities, especially within the European Union, serve as the vanguard in safeguarding Europe’s biodiversity. The Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) house a staggering 80% of Europe’s biodiversity. As our planet’s biodiversity becomes more diverse and abundant, it also becomes more precious. Unfortunately, these overseas territories find themselves on the front lines of the ongoing climate crisis, facing unique challenges that require urgent attention and action.
The BEST initiative, which had humble beginnings in 2010 with a modest budget of EUR 2 million, has evolved into an integral part of the European Union’s Programme for Environment and Climate Action (LIFE). With BESTLIFE2030, the programme will disburse over 200 grants across the ORs and OCTs, boasting a substantial budget of EUR 23.2 million until 2030.
About the Programme
BEST has made significant strides since its inception, focusing on knowledge acquisition, promotion, and preservation of biodiversity within overseas entities. Local communities and grassroots organisations are the unsung heroes of this endeavour, and their contributions have earned unequivocal recognition and support from European Union representatives at the launch of BESTLIFE2030 in June 2023.
However, these local actors require more than just financial support. The recent Knowledge Sharing Journey, organised to reflect on the grant-making experience, revealed that project implementers also need networking opportunities, collaboration, lesson sharing, and communication support, all of which are core components of BESTLIFE2030.
The time has come to expedite the exchange of solutions and best practices, with a particular focus on fostering cooperation and integrating the ORs and OCTs into the broader conservation narrative.
If you aspire to join this crucial endeavour and become a prospective applicant for BESTLIFE2030, guidelines and application forms are accessible on the BESTLIFE2030 website here: https://bestlife2030.org/for-applicants/
Guidelines are now accessible here.
Join the Information Webinar for Macaronesian regions
In addition to the call for proposals, we invite you to participate in an Information Webinar designed for potential applicants from the Macaronesia region. This webinar will be held on November 14, at 11h00 am GMT and you can register through this form: https://forms.gle/Q7YWAhDR4t1WUdwa6
Interested in submitting a project proposal? Contact bestlife2030@consulta-europa.com for more information and to get involved in preserving the incredible biodiversity of the EU Overseas.