The Living Lakes Biodiversity & Climate Project (LLBCP) has reached the midpoint of its five-year timeline with a clear message: action on lakes and wetlands is accelerating. Launched in August 2022 and running through 2027, the project spans ten countries across three continents and is already showing tangible results.
Backed by the Living Lakes Network – an alliance of more than 130 partner organisations worldwide – the LLBCP aims to restore biodiversity, improve climate resilience, and empower communities in and around freshwater ecosystems.
Highlights from 2024
Global Cooperation Expands
Two new international agreements were signed in 2024, bringing fresh energy and youth engagement to the project. Partnerships with Youth Engaged in Wetlands (YEW) and the Ramsar Youth Working Group formalised cooperation around shared goals for wetland protection and youth leadership.
Innovation with Global Reach
A total of 11 innovative nature-based solutions (NbS) were launched during the year. These pilot projects – ranging from ecosystem restoration to sustainable land-use initiatives – are already being replicated in three additional countries, underscoring the project’s scalable approach to wetland protection.
Policy Advancements on Multiple Levels
Fourteen new policies were approved in 2024 across local, regional, and national levels. These measures help protect vulnerable lake and wetland ecosystems and are a direct outcome of on-the-ground action and advocacy led by LLBCP partners.
Training the Next Generation
Capacity building remained a cornerstone of the programme.
– 35 young professionals earned certification as Lake Managers through the Living Lakes Academy, developed in collaboration with the University of Trier.
– 5,500 lake managers and 6,600 farmers and fishers participated in training workshops focused on sustainable practices and biodiversity conservation.
Reaching a Wider Public
The project’s communication efforts—ranging from media outreach to social media storytelling—reached an estimated 640,000 people in 2024, strengthening public support for wetland conservation around the globe.
Why It Matters
Wetlands are among the planet’s most vital and threatened ecosystems. They store carbon, regulate water cycles, and provide livelihoods for millions. In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss and climate change, coordinated action is more urgent than ever.
The LLBCP shows how collaboration across sectors – governments, NGOs, citizens, and youth – can deliver measurable impact in just a few years.
