Malawi Becomes the 16th Country to Receive BES Solution Fund Support
Malawi is the 16th country to receive support from the BES Solution Fund, a catalytic seed fund under the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network.
The Fund helps countries translate their national ecosystem assessment findings into policy and action, providing an initial boost for applying biodiversity evidence into decision-making, institutions and local implementation efforts. For Malawi, this support follows the recent launch of its assessment, whose findings are now ready to inform the country's next steps on nature conservation and restoration.
Malawi's economy is closely linked to its natural resources, with approximately 85 per cent of the population – and a higher proportion in rural areas – depending on biodiversity and ecosystem services for their livelihoods. Water covers nearly one-fifth of the country, while forests, mountains, grasslands and farmland form much of the remaining landscape, providing the natural foundation on which Malawi's economy and environment depend. These ecosystems face significant pressures, including pollution, sedimentation and salinization of water bodies, as well as logging, charcoal production, agricultural expansion, invasive alien species, overgrazing, uncontrolled burning and climate change.
Malawi launched its national ecosystem assessment technical report and summary for policymakers in May 2026. Focusing on aquatic, terrestrial and wetland ecosystems, the assessment produced credible evidence – grounded in both science and Indigenous and local knowledge – on the status, trends and value of biodiversity and ecosystem services that underpin livelihoods and economic growth. It also helped address knowledge gaps and strengthen the evidence base for decision-making across sectors, including by establishing a baseline for setting realistic targets in national biodiversity strategies and plans and broader development plans.
Following the launch, UNDP Malawi and the Ministry of Natural Resources identified key findings and recommendations from the assessment and translated them into priority actions through the BES Solution Fund. The work focuses on three areas:
Strengthening the National Biodiversity Platform: This will include mapping stakeholders, revitalizing the National Biodiversity Steering Committee, establishing a technical committee and creating thematic working groups including one on Indigenous and local knowledge. The platform will contribute to the dissemination of assessment findings across sectors, the development of a biodiversity investment and resource mobilization pipeline, and the development and validation of policy recommendations to support the implementation of the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP III).
Identifying and designating a priority site as an Other Effective Area-Based conservation Measure: This activity is expected to expand Malawi’s national conservation network and contribute to the implementation of NBSAP III. The other effective area-based conservation measure activities will be incorporated into district planning. The project will facilitate the preparation of a management plan for the site and build capacity through training activities.
Enhancing uptake and application of assessment findings to support the implementation of NBSAP III: This work will involve developing communication products and knowledge dissemination activities, engaging stakeholders through awareness events, digital platforms and the National Biodiversity knowledge portal. It will also include the development and implementation of a targeted biodiversity investment and resource mobilization campaign linking assessment evidence, NBSAP III priorities and BIOFIN financing solutions with prospective development partners, financial institutions and private sector investors.
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