Funding Opportunities at the Federal Level of Germany: Federal Program for Biological Diversity
The ongoing decline of biodiversity worldwide has been recognized for decades. To counteract the impending loss of species, resources, and ecosystem services, the international community adopted the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 1992. The primary goals of the convention focus on conserving and sustainably using biological diversity and ensuring the fair distribution of genetic resources and the benefits derived from them. All member states have committed to implementing these objectives at the national level and developing effective programs. Germany has met this requirement with the establishment of the “National Strategy for Biological Diversity (NBS)” in 2007.
To implement this strategy, the Federal Ministry for the Environment developed the “Federal Program for Biological Diversity” in 2011, which is currently the most financially robust funding program for nature conservation. This program primarily supports innovative projects that promote the protection and sustainable development of biological diversity in Germany and aim to reverse biodiversity loss in a positive direction. Proposed projects must demonstrate significant federal interest. Another key focus is on dynamic collaboration among various stakeholders, including municipalities, nature conservation associations, and different land or forest owners. An essential component of the funding program is to strengthen societal interest and awareness of biological diversity. Awareness-raising measures aim to sensitize the public to the importance of protecting and preserving biodiversity.
The Federal Program for Biological Diversity is characterized by the following funding priorities:
- Species for which Germany has special responsibility
- Biodiversity hotspots in Germany
- Protection of ecosystem services
- Urban nature
- Other measures of substantial importance for the strategy
Projects can receive funding of up to 75% from the federal government, and in exceptional circumstances, this can rise to 90%. Project holders must contribute a minimum of 10% as their own funding share, while the remaining funds are typically secured from third-party sources. The standard duration for funding is six years. In 2021, €45 million was allocated to the Federal Program for Biological Diversity in the federal budget.
Sources
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety, and Consumer Protection (2022). Federal Program for Biological Diversity. https://www.bmuv.de/themen/naturschutz/foerderprogramme/bundesprogramm-biologische-vielfalt. Accessed 15.03.2025.
Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) (2022). The National Strategy for Biological Diversity. https://biologischevielfalt.bfn.de/nationale-strategie/ueberblick.html. Accessed 05.09.2022.
Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) (2022). Federal Program for Biological Diversity. https://biologischevielfalt.bfn.de/bundesprogramm/ueberblick.html. Accessed 05.09.2022.
Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety (2021). Guidelines for Funding Measures under the Federal Program for Biological Diversity. BAnz AT 28.07.2021 B6.
Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) (2016). Projects of the Federal Program for Biological Diversity https://biologischevielfalt.bfn.de/fileadmin/BfN/service/Dokumente/Broschuere_BPBV_gesamt_barrierefrei.pdf. Accessed 05.09.2022.