Projects

Darwin Monitoring and Evaluation Programme Phase II

Since 1992, the Darwin Initiative has aimed to assist developing countries that are rich in biodiversity, but poor in financial resources to meet their objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).  The Darwin Initiative is managed by the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and to date over 350 projects have been funded in nearly 100 countries.  

The majority of Darwin projects are located in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, all regions with particularly rich and diverse habitats, but subject to threats and with limited resources to support their conservation.  All Darwin projects aim to support host country commitments to the CBD Articles and Themes, in particular those related to research, training, environmental education and awareness and institutional capacity building.  

ECTF supports Defra to monitor and evaluate the progress of the Darwin Initiative, the programme as a whole and its individual projects, to asses whether the Initiative is:

  • achieving its objective and meeting its key criteria
  • having a lasting impact and legacy on biodiversity in host countries and helping them to meet their obligations under the CBD
  • representing value for money

ECTF undertakes the monitoring and evaluation of Darwin projects through the review of project reports and commissioned mid-term reviews.  Staff from all ECTF member organisations and several external consultancy groups are involved in the review process. Within the above mentioned objective, the emphasis is on the identification of lessons learned, best practice and impact towards biodiversity conservation, and promotion of the Darwin Initiative achievements.  ECTF manages the Darwin Initiative website and is facilitating information exchange through a newsletter, UK-based workshops and electronic discussion fora.  ECTF also provides administrative support to Defra in the management of Darwin Initiative applications.

If you have recently jointed one of the ECTF member organisations and wish to become involved in the review of Darwin project reports, please get in touch with the ECTF Co-ordinator, mail@ectf-ed.org.uk.

For further information on the Darwin Initiative and individual projects, go to http://www.darwin.gov.uk/