16 November 2011: Eight initiatives to promote biodiversity management in the Amazonian areas of the four Andean Community (CAN) countries have won co-financing in the first round of selection by the Competitive Fund of BioCAN, the regional biodiversity program created by CAN and the Government of Finland.

The first call for proposals, held by BioCAN from 15 August-30 September 2011, drew 183 applications. The eight winners were chosen through an independent evaluation process. One project involves all CAN member states (Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru) in the use of radio-based education regarding Andean-Amazonian biodiversity. Four were awarded to projects in Ecuador, and two in Peru. These projects address: generating alternatives for the sustainable use of biodiversity and sustainable management of wild species; recovering knowledge regarding medicinal plants; strengthening sustainable forest management; developing ecotourism while preserving natural and cultural diversity; native fish species in indigenous communities; and production of vegetable oil as a mechanism for conservation and generating income. The eighth project, in Bolivia, addresses shared management models in indigenous communities.

BioCAN, created in 2007 with funding from Finland, and in its second phase since June 2010, has the mission of contributing to the quality of life of CAN member countries in their Tropical Andes-Amazonian Regions “through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in an equitable manner respectful of cultural diversity.” The Competitive Fund aims to help successful projects already underway, and/or innovative projects getting started, regarding the management, sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity that yield easily verifiable products and impacts, and which increase the participation of vulnerable groups. [CAN Press Release (Spanish)] [BioCAN Press Release (Spanish)]