What
The LLF innovatively combines public and private contributions to provide long-term funding for landscapes of exceptional relevance to global biodiversity in the Global South. Core funding for time frames of at least 15 years with an ambition for perpetual support gives partnerships between experienced NGOs, protected area authorities, and indigenous and local communities much needed planning security and the opportunity to effectively and equitably manage conservation areas and their surroundings.

Goal
Is to fund a global portfolio of at least 30 of the world´s most relevant biodiversity landscapes by 2030 in the long term. By focusing on large areas of at least 2000km, LLF can help in achieving ambitious area-based conservation targets such as the Target 3 of the Global Biodiversity Framework. LLF supports the conservation of crucial ecosystems which provide services relevant to the local population as well as to the global community. LLF enables partnerships between protected area authorities in partner countries, experienced NGOs, and civil society as well as indigenous peoples´ organizations.

Recent activities
In less than three years after its creation, LLF already provides long-term funding to seven landscapes in the global south and will expand its portfolio to a total of 14 landscapes by January 2024, covering different habitats. Additional landscapes will follow.

Donor countries can contribute to LLF – the German, French and Norwegian Governments already do. LLF is open to new contributions from the public and private sector and gives the opportunity to quickly and effectively support areas of outstanding biodiversity, and thus provided an important contribution to T3 of the GBF.

Benefits
Each funded legacy landscape obtains long-term, reliable core funding for effective and equitable management of crucial ecosystems and surrounding areas. These areas provide ecosystem services of global and local relevance. In each landscape, philanthropic or private partners provide match funding of at least 1/3 of the overall costs. Thus, public and private contributions are leveraging each other. By means of a sustainable investment strategy on the financial market, LLF creates returns which form the basis for yearly disbursements to partner organizations managing the different sites. LLF also provides a platform for peer exchange of experiences in effective conservation approaches across different sites on varios continent.

The ambition is to provide perpetual funding to supported landscapes and thus to help in safeguarding their biodiversity and ecosystem services in the long term. By January 2024, the portfolio will include 14 sites across different countries in the Global South, with more to follow. Examples include: North Luangwa, Zambia; Gunung Leuser, Indonesia, Madidi, Bolivia.

Lessons learned
LLF works as a network of conservation practitioners across different continents which actively supports peer exchange and shares best practices between sites. By introducing a thorough Environmental and Social Management System, LLF also proactively implements a rights-bases approach to conservation. Furthermore, LLF as a joint effort of public and philanthropic partners induces exchange and mutual learning between the public and private sphere through common strategic decision-making.

Synergies with other Points of the 10 Point Plan
1 – International Finance Flows
2 – Synergies with Climate Finance
5 – Philanthropy

Relevant links and resources
https://legacylandscapes.org/