We are pleased to announce the second Call for Proposals under the BESTLIFE2030 Programme. This is more than just a funding opportunity—it’s a call to action for projects that will deliver tangible conservation results in Europe’s Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories. These areas are not only critical for Europe’s biodiversity but also play a vital role in achieving global conservation goals.
Restoring Nature, One Island at a Time
The impact of conservation is best seen on the ground, where real change happens. One powerful example is the restoration of Kamaka Island in French Polynesia, which is helping the endangered Polynesian storm-petrel reclaim its lost habitat. Once abundant, the species faced a sharp decline due to invasive rats. In 2022, thanks to the support of BEST 2.0+, conservationists eradicated the rats using innovative drone technology, and by 2023, the island became a predator-free sanctuary. But the work did not stop there—conservationists used social attraction methods, including recorded seabird calls and artificial burrows, to lure the storm-petrels back. Within months, they returned, creating a rare chance to re-establish a breeding colony.
“With only 250 to 1,000 mature individuals left in the wild, restoring Kamaka Island is crucial for the Polynesian storm-petrel’s recovery,” said Coral Wolf, Conservation Impact Manager at Island Conservation. “The birds’ quick return provides a rare chance to establish a secure breeding population. Our social attraction efforts worked rapidly—storm-petrels arrived early in the nesting season, became regular visitors, and began using nest boxes,” added Thomas Ghestemme from SOP Manu. “Six seabird species now breed on the island, including the Near Threatened Tahiti Petrel.”
The restoration of Kamaka Island is not just a step forward for one species but a giant leap toward preserving a delicate ecosystem for generations to come.
Join the Movement: Apply for BESTLIFE2030 Funding
Building on the momentum of transformative efforts like this, the BESTLIFE2030 Programme seeks to fund additional local initiatives that provide practical, scalable solutions benefiting both ecosystems and communities.
Europe’s Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories hold over 80% of Europe’s biodiversity. These unique and fragile ecosystems are under increasing pressure from climate change, invasive species, habitat loss, and overexploitation. The Global Biodiversity Framework’s Target 3 calls for the protection of 30% of the world’s land, inland waters, and marine areas by 2030. By supporting community-driven conservation efforts, the BESTLIFE2030 Programme plays a pivotal role in helping EU countries meet this commitment and drive impactful, lasting change.
Why Should You Apply?
- Support biodiversity hotspots: Your project will help protect ecosystems that are home to rare and endangered species, from marine habitats to rainforests.
- Deliver tangible results: We seek projects with clear, actionable plans that lead to measurable conservation outcomes, such as habitat restoration and species conservation.
- Scale-up impact: Funding will help expand successful conservation models or develop innovative approaches that can be replicated elsewhere.
To further strengthen conservation efforts, we are broadening the Programme’s reach by bringing territorial governments into the fold. By co-applying with local actors, these partnerships can foster stronger collaborations, help create synergies across sectors, and enhance capacity development. This approach fosters more efficient use of resources, long-term sustainability, and meaningful change at local and regional levels.
What We Are Looking For:
- Projects that directly address local biodiversity challenges through hands-on conservation actions.
- Initiatives that build upon or enhance existing conservation efforts, including those supported by previous BEST initiatives, the first BESTLIFE2030 Call for Proposals, or other LIFE Programme projects. We can facilitate direct contact with these existing projects upon request.
- Proposals with clearly defined goals aligned with BEST indicators to effectively track progress and measure success.
What We Offer:
- Guidelines and resources to help you craft a strong proposal, available on the BESTLIFE2030 website.
- Capacity-building opportunities through our regional hubs, providing tailored support to maximise your project’s success.
The deadline for submitting your proposal is May 30, 2025. We encourage you to start preparing early and take full advantage of the support and resources available to you. Apply here: https://bestlife2030.org/news/empowering-conservation-action-europes-overseas-biodiversity-hotspots/
Need help? For more information, contact us at bestlife2030@consulta-europa.com.