Four new projects selected to receive 2024 CESP funding

Projects selected for the Capacity Enhancement Support Programme address capacity needs of the Participant network and support the goals of the 2024 Nodes Implementation Plan

Large-scaled pit viper (Craspedocephalus macrolepis) observed in India by Ram Thenmala CC BY-NC 4.0.
Large-scaled pit viper (Craspedocephalus macrolepis) observed as an iNaturalist Research-grade observation in India by Ram Thenmala CC BY-NC 4.0

GBIF has awarded more than €78,000 to fund four projects as the result of a competitive call for proposals for the 2024 round of the Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP). This annual programme addresses specific capacity needs identified by GBIF Participants and facilitates collaboration at regional and global levels. A panel convened by the GBIF Secretariat evaluated proposals and selected projects based on their alignment with the objectives outlined in the 2024 Nodes implementation plan.

The 2024 projects involve GBIF nodes and partners across 18 countries in Asia, Latin America, Africa and Europe. The funded projects address a diverse range of topics and will identify impacts and lessons learned to share throughout the GBIF network, including:

  • Utilizing artificial intelligence for the digitization of analog data
  • Implementing interoperable database standards for data exchange
  • Integrating traditional knowledge into biodiversity data management
  • Streamlining digitization and mobilization workflows
  • Championing open-data access for wider scientific use
  • Ensuring adherence to robust data standards for quality and consistency

2024 CESP projects

Project name Lead participant and partners CESP funding
Enhancing institutional capacity for data management in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Zoological Survey of India, Forest Action Nepal, National Biodiversity Centre Bhutan €20,000
Developing a data extension for documenting socio-biodiversity information GBIF Brazil, GBIF Argentina, GBIF Colombia, Botanical Garden of Rio de Janeiro, Museu Paraense Emílio Goeldi €19,998
AI for specimen labels GBIF Poland, GBIF Norway, Distributed System of Scientific Collections (DiSSCo), GBIF Slovakia, State Museum of Natural History of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, Botanic Garden Meise, University of Zagreb, University of Trieste, University of Gdańsk €18,027
Building capacity within biodiversity data between Ethiopia and GBIF nodes in Sweden and Finland GBIF Sweden, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute, Horn of Africa Regional Environment Centre and Network, GBIF Finland, Stockholm University €20,000

About the Capacity Enhancement Support Programme

The Capacity Enhancement Support Programme (CESP) provides annual funding to support activities that include mentoring, regional training and events, and the development of documentation. Since the programme's establishment in 2024, GBIF has awarded more than €780,000 to 57 capacity enhancement projects that leveraged more than €1 million in co-funding.