Role and contribution of civil society organisations to local, national and global biodiversity actions and targets
Results of the online survey
Zoï Environment Network, together with CEPF, developed and launched an online survey to gather inputs from civil society organisations and other partners under the 2024 International Day of Biodiversity theme “Be Part of the Plan”.
The 20-question survey was distributed to around 200 potential respondents, most of whom have practical experience and knowledge of biodiversity in Central Asia. Responses were received from 90 participants, with balanced representation from all Central Asian countries as well as from some international partners and organisations. Gender balance of participants: 60% male, 40% female.
We are very grateful to all those who have taken the time to respond to the survey and for their additional comments.
This report visually summarises the responses in two graphic forms. Speedometer or barometer style graphs show the average and dominant expression of opinions and responses (average single ranking). Bar charts show the distribution of responses (multiple rankings), including dominant responses, but such graphs are sometimes harder to grasp. Some questions use a combination of both formats.
The results of the online survey are summarised in the sections below:
Most popular answers on main focus areas and typical activities are:
Wildlife monitoring, reporting, recommendations
Frequent answers:
Environmental information, awareness raising, youth and women engagement, education
Provision of alternative income and renewable energy to reduce pressures on wild nature
Regulation of livestock grazing, sustainable land use, erosion control
Forest- and tree-related interventions, sustainable forest and non-timber forest products
Training and capacity development for protected areas, higher efficiency of conservation
Sustainable rural or mountain development, local community development
KBA/IBA mapping, environmental impact assessment (EIA) and analysis, safeguards
Journalism, social media campaigns, online maps and web-stories
How do you see the future conditions for civil society organisations (CSOs) in the next 5 years?
What could be done to improve impact and engagement of CSOs in conservation?
Training on KBA: concept, mapping, awareness
Training on information design, reporting, visibility
Training on biodiversity monitoring tools, methods
Training on fundraising and projects formulation
Support in networking and experience exchange
Support in cooperation with international biodiv groups and organizations
Inclusion of CSOs in the GEF and larger donor projects and programmes
What are
your
main
sources (and their quality)
of information on biodiversity in the country or area?
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access
Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Top choice, key source
Unknown / unavailable
National biodiversity strategy (NBSAP) and reports to CBD and other biodiversity conventions
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access
Unknown / unavailable
Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Top choice, key source
International biodiversity reports and data
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access
Unknown / unavailable
Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Top choice, key source
Science sources
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access
Unknown / unavailable
Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Top choice, key source
GEF, CEPF projects, reg. biodiversity initiatives
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access
Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Unknown / unavailable
Top choice, key source
National environment reports, official statistics
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access
Unknown / unavailable
Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Top choice, key source
CSO websites, bulletins
Unclear, unreliable or outdated and hard to access Suitable Good, trusted, up-to-date
Unknown / unavailable
Top choice, key source
Mass media, social media
How would you describe the actual or expected contribution of CSOs to the
(continued)
How well key biodiversity areas (KBAs) are understood and integrated or used in your country?
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
Basic / minimal
Unknown / no use
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
Legislation, regulations, safeguards
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
Basic / minimal
Unknown / no use
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
Local authorities
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
/ minimal
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
National Academy of science and universities
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
Private sector (tourism, mining, forestry, others) Unknown / no use Basic / minimal
/ minimal
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard Understood and used
Well known and actively used
National environmental authorities, environmental and spatial planning, impact assessments Unknown / no use
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
Local communities Unknown / no use Basic / minimal
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
Basic / minimal
Unknown / no use
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
CSOs dealing with the environment
Generally known, but not always according to the Global Standard
Basic / minimal
Unknown / no use
Understood and used
Well known and actively used
International projects on biodiversity (GEF, CEPF)
Your ranking of pressures on key biodiversity areas
Climate impacts, extreme weather
If you are one of CEPF grantees, how do you present and promote CEPF in the region / country?
Barely
Use CEPF logo in printed materials, presentations, events, posters, articles
Inform other donors about results of your CEPF grant projects and seek to scale-up/build
Inform national (env.) competent authorities about results of your CEPF grant projects
Inform and invite other partners to check CEPF work or apply for grants
Inform CEPF Secretariat or RIT about events, ask for inputs and synergies
Present results of grant work in science journals, nat. and int. conferences
Partner or periodically exchange with other CEPF grantees working on the same area or species
Which
Which of the following information channels and formats are the most or least effective, influential and have an impact on the population, attention of officials or trigger action on biodiversity? (continued)
outing in nature, eco-festivals
Celebrations of international days (biodiversity, migratory birds, snow leopard, etc)
Which information products and channels do you use in communication about your activities and results on biodiversity
conservation?
Briefing / report shared with competent and local authorities (by email or during meetings)
Posts in social media within your peer group
Interviews with journalists / press releases
Produce short video and photo report for the public use in local language, available at Youtube / website
Produce inforgraphics, project leaflets and summary reports, make them available at organization’s website and printed copies
Produce science reports and share it with national Academy of science and/ or int. journals and groups
Which stakeholders are usually interested and engaged in the CSO activities on conservation?
Youth
Summary of survey results
1. The majority of respondents consider the role of the civil society and NGOs in biodiversity conservation in the countries and the Central Asia region to be important, and are familiar with national and global biodiversity targets.
2. Current conditions for public and NGO activities are assessed as “suitable, acceptable”, with positive trends in terms of organising forums and networking, but negative in availability and accessibility of funding and stricter regulatory and operational conditions.
3. The future of the civil society organizations in the next five years is seen by participants as “suitable, acceptable”, with some actors anticipating deterioration and others looking for improvement. Readers can find out more in the CEPF’s final assessment, to be released in 2025.
4. The contribution and participation of the civil society in conservation can be increased in a number of ways, with most participants mentioning: training in key biodiversity areas, tools and methods of biodiversity monitoring; assistance in writing applications and fundraising; development of networks and cooperation; involvement in larger donor projects and programmes; communication of achievements.
5. Participants’ responses indicate that the quality and availability of biodiversity data and information in the countries and the Central Asia region leave much to be desired. National biodiversity reports and strategies may be inaccessible at the local level (e.g. as they are often located at convention sites outside the country’s web resources), or written in a language that is difficult for the general public to understand. Outdated and incomplete biodiversity data is often a problem. Nevertheless, many survey participants provide or share data and reports with environmental authorities to support the implementation of biodiversity goals and strategies, Red List updates, share info with other stakeholders.
6. Similarly, Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), a relatively new and complex concept used by the Convention on Biodiversity, IUCN, GEF and other international funds, is not yet well known or used at the local level (local authorities and communities). At the level of government regulations and sub-laws, there are gaps in the description and implementation of KBAs. Scientific and civil society organisations in Central Asia are increasingly using this approach. This is largely due to the projects and efforts of the CEPF and GEF.
7. Among the anthropogenic pressures on key biodiversity areas identified as “important” by participants: overgrazing, deforestation, poaching and illegal collection of flora and fauna, pollution and waste, land use and habitat change and the climate change impacts.
8. As graphics on the page 9 show, the region seem to achieve only a partial progress on the previous NBSAPs, therefore CSOs can play a key role in providing inputs to the updated biodiversity goals and NBSAPs and contribute to their implementation. The answers to the questions allow recommendations on areas where NGOs can strengthen and develop collaboration with government agencies and international projects.
9. The survey lists a wide range of options for channels and formats for disseminating information on biodiversity, which the majority of respondents consider important and useful.
10. According to the survey, scientists, public organisations and local communities are often interested and involved in civil society biodiversity projects, while the involvement of other groups depends on the situation, with the private sector reported as less involved and interested.
Note from the survey team:
It is worth noting that answers can be subjective. Much depends on the context of the country or specific geographic area, on the level of critical perception and awareness of the situation, and on the area of work and expertise. The responses of optimists may differ from those of pessimists, just as the local views may differ from those in capitals or abroad. In addition to a visual summary of the responses, the survey provides a diverse menu of options and opportunities for civil society involvement in conservation, communication channels and areas of cooperation.
