The largest global nature conservation network, the World Conservation Union (IUCN), founded in 1948, seeks to promote nature conservation in a just world. It brings together states, government agencies and a diverse range of non-governmental organizations. IUCN is supported by six international commissions made up of technical and scientific experts. They form the largest volunteer network in the world, responsible for publications such as IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Through this, the IUCN contributes to the setting of global environmental standards and guides the actions of governments and civil society in sustaining the biological diversity and natural resource base on which human livelihoods depend. Member organizations within a country or region often organize themselves into National or Regional Committees to facilitate cooperation and help coordinate the work of IUCN.

In the Netherlands, the IUCN National Committee of the Netherlands (IUCN NL), first convened in 1978, serves as the platform of the Dutch members of IUCN, and the Dutch members of the six international IUCN commissions. IUCN NL, in close cooperation with their mother organization IUCN and its members, aims to promote the conservation and responsible management of ecosystems and natural resources in an international context.

One of IUCN NL’s objectives is to decrease negative effects of Dutch and European activities on ecosystems and biodiversity elsewhere, by collaboration, lobby, advice and analysis. Over the years IUCN NL has produced several publications concerning the ecological effects of the Dutch and European economy, such as: Mining in Tropical Regions (1996), concerning Dutch involvement in the mining sector and the environmental effects; The Netherlands and the World Ecology (2002), a map assessing the amount of land used internationally in connection with the needs of the Dutch economy and the impacts on global ecosystems; The map -The Netherlands, Nature & Tourism , (2003, in English and Dutch); The Netherlands and the World Ecology: Soy and Oilpalm ( 2004), Fisheries (2005), and Tropical Shrimps (2005); and the map -The European Union & the World Ecology (2004m).

Also, IUCN NL is carrying out a program on Biodiversity & Tourism with the aim of stimulating a more sustainable form of tourism that can make a contribution to nature conservation. As international tourism is growing rapidly and in many cases tourism development poses a threat to biodiversity, but under certain conditions tourism can be a means for conservation of biodiversity.

Aside from publications, through its small grants programme, funds are available for conservation projects, mainly in the tropics and implemented by NGOs. The funding programmes are based on the Ecosystem Approach Principles as adopted by the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). Until 2006 IUCN NL distinguished 3 portfolios of small grants programmes funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Tropical Rainforest Programme (TRP); Small grants for Wetlands Programme (SWP); and Dry and sub-humid Areas Small grants programme (DAS).

As of 2007, the IUCN NL/ Ecosystem Grants Programme (EGP) integrates these small grants funds for projects of local organisations in the South that link nature conservation and poverty issues. The EGP contributes to the following overall goal: ‘To reverse trends of ecosystem degradation and loss in the South, and the subsequent impoverishment of vulnerable groups in society, through the sustainable use and conservation of ecosystems for the benefit of present and future generations.’

EGP finances projects that are developed and implemented by local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that contribute to one or more of the following objectives: (a) to mainstream ecosystem and biodiversity management in production environments, aimed at securing livelihoods of the rural poor;(b) to strengthen ecosystem and biodiversity conservation for future generations; and ‘to create an enabling environment at local, national and international levels for the aforementioned objectives a & b.

Through the EGP, a number of partners organizations of the EP network, who have exhibited proven commitment to ecosystem conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources, as well as the EP itselfm, are currently undertaking conservation projects that promote greater participation, empowerment, and accountability of all the communities, resulting to the formulation of comprehensive community-based solutions not only addressing environmental degradation but also responsive to poverty reduction. {Vince Docta}

Reference: www.iucn.nl