May 22, 2026 — Today marks the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB), observed each year to commemorate the adoption of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) on 22 May 1992. The day aims to mobilize public support for implementing the Convention, its Protocols and related action frameworks to protect the planet’s biological diversity.
The 2026 edition of IDB carries the theme “Acting locally for global impact,” underscoring the role of community-led conservation, sustainable practices and local policies in achieving global biodiversity targets. Events worldwide — from habitat restoration projects and educational campaigns to policy workshops and citizen science initiatives — will spotlight how local efforts contribute to broader biodiversity goals.
With many partners, NORDECO has co-developed and institutionalized community-based natural resource monitoring programmes in a long list of countries for more than three decades. Several of the programmes have continued to provide a ‘voice’ to community members and mobilize conservation action in biological hot spots >10 years after the programmes were established.
We currently lead the biodiversity protection component of the EU‑funded more4nature project, where — together with partners — we are exploring how citizen science can further improve compliance with species-and ecosystem‑protection policies and strengthen monitoring of policy effectiveness.
More information:
Community Monitoring of Natural Resource Systems and the Environment
