OUR PARTNER

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative or BIOFIN is a global initiative initiated by UNDP and the European Commission at the 10th Conference of Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. Developed in response to the urgent global need to divert more finance from all possible sources towards global and national biodiversity goals, BIOFIN is now present in 41 countries. In the Philippines, BIOFIN is working with national government agencies, local government units, the private sector, and the civil society and conduct feasibility studies and provide policy support to catalyze investments in nature since 2014.

COLLABORATIVE EFFORTS:

BIOFIN has been working with the Apo Reef Natural Park since 2017. A valuation study of ARNP was conducted by BIOFIN in 2017 followed by a series of trainings on development of a PA finance plan (PAFP) and engaging the private sector between 2020 and 2023. Results of valuation study and trainings formed part of its exceptional PAFP. ARNP used its PAFP as a tool to prioritize programs and identify strategic sources of financing for the PA. This move was recognized and awarded with the platinum-level Blue Park Award on July 1, 2022, at the United Nations Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal by the Marine Conservation Institute. ARNP was also identified as among the Year of the Protected Areas Campaign sites along with five other PAs, all of which were promoted as ecotourism destinations for local and foreign tourists from 2022 to 2023.