Conserving Biodiversity in Europe’s Overseas World Heritage sites

The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is a granting mechanism focusing on preserving and restoring biodiversity. Supported by the EU, it aims to fund over 200 conservation projects with a budget of almost €25 million by 2030. 

This grant scheme is tailored to provide effective support for locally-driven, small-scale and impactful initiatives by target beneficiaries as defined in the guidelines for applicants*. Project funding is capped at €100,000, and a 5% co-funding contribution is required. 

=> Apply here (deadline 30 May 2025) <=

As of March 2025, there are 17 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the EU’s Outermost Regions and Overseas Countries and Territories, of which 9 sites have been recognised for their nature conservation values. 

Projects that are currently being implemented include: 

• Using AI and passive acoustics to support increased management effectiveness of parts of the Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France) (project page)

• Saving endangered bats in Garajonay National Park (Spain) (project page)

• Managing feral cats in French Austral Lands and Seas (France) (project page)

• Restoring forests following fires in Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island (France) (project page)

• Mangrove restoration in the Bonaire Marine Park (Tentative List, Kingdom of the Netherlands) (project page) 

To date, the BEST initiative has enabled over 150 conservation projects, including: 

• Collecting abundance data of rare plant species in Lauriselva of Madeira (Portugal) (project page)

• Updating reptile inventory in French Austral Lands and Seas (France) (project page)

• Eradicating New Zealand Flax from Gough and Inaccessible Island (UK) (project page)

• Restoring mangroves in the Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems (France) (project page)

   

About the BESTLIFE2030 Programme

Projects focus on supporting biodiversity conservation, fostering sustainable ecosystem services, and integrating conservation into local decision-making across various sectors. The BESTLIFE2030 Programme is coordinated by the IUCN EU Representative Office, working alongside the following organisations across the different regions: the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB), the IUCN National Committee of The Netherlands, the IUCN French National Committee, Consulta Europa, the Nordic Agency for Development and Ecology.

Eligible territories from the BESTLIFE2030 Programme include French Guiana, Guadeloupe, Martinique, Saint Martin, Saint Barthélémy, Réunion, Mayotte, French Southern and Antarctic Lands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, French Polynesia, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Saint-Eustache, Sint-Maarten, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands and Greenland.

About IUCN and the World Heritage Convention

Since the inception of the World Heritage Convention in 1972, IUCN has played a unique role as the official advisory body under the World Heritage Convention on natural World Heritage. This involves leading the technical recommendation of all new nominations of natural and mixed World Heritage sites, monitoring the status of existing natural and mixed World Heritage sites and the newly added Preliminary Assessment process to provide direct advice on the feasibility of potential nominations to state parties.

IUCN also works independently on the Convention to support World Heritage sites globally though our extensive network of programmes and policies led though our central Secretariat team, our expert commissions, and our member organisations.

Find out more about IUCN's work on World Heritage here.

*In line with BESTLIFE2030 objectives, target beneficiaries are: 

• Local non-profit organisations, local non-governmental organisations (NGOs);

• Local civil society organisations (CSOs);

• Local community-based organisations (CBOs);

• SMEs as defined by the European Commission;

• Local research institutes and organisations (provided eligible activities are implemented);

• Local sub-governmental bodies, e.g. municipalities and groups thereof;

• Collectivités Territoriales in the French ORs i.e, Conseils régionaux et Conseils départementaux, if they co-apply with local NGOs, local CSOs, local CBOs, SMEs, municipalities, or local research institutes;

• Regional governments in Spanish and Portuguese ORs, i.e., the Canary Islands, Azores, and Madeira, under the same conditions as those for the French ORs, if they co-apply with at least one of the following organisations:  local NGOs, local CSOs, local CBOs, SMEs, municipalities or local research institutes;

• OCT territorial governments in the Dutch and French OCTs, if they co-apply with at least one of the following organisations: local NGOs, local CSOs, local CBOs, SMEs, municipalities, or local research institutes;