NBSAP Accelerator Partnership | Recent News

August 2025

Ecuador has taken an important step towards integrating academia, local communities, and public institutions in the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity. The establishment of the country’s first Biodiversity Campus represents a milestone that goes beyond research facilities: it is a living platform for collaboration, innovation, and capacity-building at the heart of one of the most ecologically sensitive areas of the country.

The campus is strategically located within the area of influence of one of the province’s largest dams. While this infrastructure project has played an important role in irrigation, flood control and regional development, it has also generated significant environmental impacts, such as habitat loss for local species and the proliferation of invasive aquatic plants.

The Technical University of Manabí has emerged as a national leader in this effort by creating an undergraduate degree program in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources. The program is already nurturing the next generation of scientists, practitioners, and leaders who will be central to addressing global and local environmental challenges.

The inclusiveness of the program further amplifies its impact. Many of the students enrolled come from indigenous groups and local communities. Their participation enriches the program with traditional knowledge, local perspectives, and a deep understanding of ecosystems that goes beyond academic theory. This integration of scientific knowledge and ancestral wisdom enhances the capacity of the campus to generate innovative approaches that are both culturally relevant and ecologically effective.

Sustainability is also embedded in the physical development of the campus itself. Some of its infrastructure was built using bioconstruction techniques recommended by local communities. Materials such as bamboo were chosen not only for their low environmental footprint but also for their cultural significance and practical efficiency.

The establishment of the Biodiversity Campus in Ecuador exemplifies how academic institutions can work hand-in-hand with local communities, government agencies, and international initiatives to address pressing environmental challenges.

Ultimately, this initiative highlights the importance of academia not only as a generator of knowledge but also as a driver of transformative action. Ecuador’s first Biodiversity Campus stands as a symbol of collaboration, innovation, and hope - laying the foundation for a future where biodiversity is safeguarded through education, participation, and shared responsibility.

Learn more about Ecuador and the progress of other country members on our Recent News page. Curious about the Facilitator Programme? Learn more about its critical role in accelerating NBSAPs here. 

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership is a country-led global initiative that supports the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) to collectively achieve the goals and targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and, ultimately, the global vision of living in harmony with nature by 2050. It is co-chaired by Colombia and Germany and supported by the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (BMUV) through its International Climate Initiative (IKI), the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD), through the global project “GBF Implementation,” implemented by GIZ. Its work is facilitated by a Global Coordination Unit (GCU) hosted by the Secretariat of the CBD, UNDP and UNEP.