SwedBio is a development programme, that works to advance sustainable and equitable governance of biodiversity knowledge and policy. We engage in key global biodiversity processes in close collaboration with our network of partners.

Click to zoom in on the image. Credit: Evelina Jonsson/Azote

“SwedBio envisions a world that is sustainably managed and where human rights are equitably fulfilled, with people being able to make sustainable choices for biodiversity rich and resilient futures while thriving in harmony with nature.”

SwedBio’s Vision

SwedBio works to target biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation. Biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation undermine people ́s rights to sustainable and equitable development, and those living in poverty are especially vulnerable. This is reinforced by inequalities, conflicts, unsustainable production and consumption, and climate change. Responses to such challenges often give insufficient consideration to human-and-nature relationships, resulting in knowledge gaps and leading to unsuitable policy and implementation

Pathways for change

SwedBio focuses its effort on two impact pathways for engaging with biodiversity and equitable development:

Dialogue for knowledge and policy pathway
In this pathway, SwedBio will advance policy agendas related to biodiversity, by enabling dialogue and co-production of knowledge across knowledge systems, including actors from indigenous peoples, local communities, policymakers, practitioners and scientists.

Collaborative partner implementation pathway
SwedBio will continue to work with strategically selected partner organisations to support the implementation of locally-driven sustainable and equitable solutions.

To learn more about funding and collaborating with SwedBio, visit Collaborate with SwedBio.

Areas of work

Through these two pathways for change, SwedBio works across a number of different areas, which fall under five themes:

  • Climate Change
  • Agroecology
  • Small-Scale Fisheries
  • Urban Nature
  • Biocultural Diversity

To advance biodiversity knowledge and its policy agenda, SwedBio works with five approaches:

  • Dialogues and Learning
  • Values and Governance
  • Art and Culture
  • Assessments and Indicators
  • Communication and Training

Finally, in all of SwedBio’s operations, SwedBio applies a number of principles to all of its work:

  • Adaptive Approach
  • Gender Equality
  • Human Rights-Based Approach
  • Conflict Perspective
  • Guiding Principles for Knowledge Collaborations

Contributions and changes

In working with these areas and engaging with the two impact pathways, SwedBio aims to contribute to:

  • Knowledge exchange between actors from different knowledge systems.
  • Equitable engagement of local actors in collaborative initiatives and policy processes.
  • Sustainable biodiversity management based on local practices.

Finally, SwedBio’s hope is that the impact pathways, areas of work, and contributions from the programme and partner’s combined efforts lead to a number of changes:

  • Enhanced quality of biodiversity-related policy processes, for more relevant policies.
  • Co-created and enriched knowledge on governance in harmony with nature, for context-appropriate and equitable solutions.
  • Improved governance and management of ecosystems, which realises the implementation of biodiversity-related policies.
  • Increased local management in harmony with nature, which contribute to enabling sustainable and equitable livelihoods.