The vast majority of the world’s crops depend on pollination, with pollinating insects playing a crucial role in supporting local ecosystems and maintaining biodiversity. However, despite their importance to global food systems and natural habitats, these insect populations are in sharp decline—driven by disease, habitat loss, pesticide use, invasive species, perverse subsidies, and climate change. To safeguard pollinators and the essential services they provide, we must do more to engage both government and non-government actors—including key partners in the agricultural sector—in the sustainable management and protection of these species.
Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula is both one of the country’s most ecologically rich regions and a key area for agricultural production. As Costa Rica begins implementing its new National Biodiversity Strategy—with a focus on biodiversity financing—the protection and integration of pollinating insects must be prioritized.
To support this goal, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ), in collaboration with Forever Costa Rica, is working to expand management and governance practices at the local, subnational, national, and regional level to promote the ecosystem services provided by pollinators.
Conservation Strategy Fund (CSF) contributed to this broader effort by identifying and developing financial and economic mechanisms that incentivize pollination services and promote the sustainable use of pollinating insects. CSF also analyzed the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing these mechanisms, offering guidance for their future adaptation and development.
The project delivered:
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a list of financial mechanisms suited to supporting pollination services and the conservation of pollinating insects, along with the identification of relevant implementing actors;
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recommendations for the implementation of these mechanisms, highlighting potential opportunities and challenges;
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an analysis of existing models, including strengths, weaknesses, and possibilities for public and private sector funding; and
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policy recommendations for national and subnational governments on how to adapt and apply these financial mechanisms.
As part of this effort, CSF conducted interviews with key stakeholders at the national and subnational levels and hosted participatory workshops with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Tempisque Conservation Area, community organizations, agricultural and livestock producers.
Key Results & Economic Insights
The project culminated in a strategic roadmap (Hoja de Ruta) that identifies how Costa Rica can transition from theoretical conservation to a self-sustaining financial model for pollinators.
1. Portfolio of Financial Mechanisms, (View the portfolio here)
CSF identified and analyzed three primary pillars for sustainable financing - prioritizing several mechanisms and proposing how they could be implemented together:
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Environmental Funds: Utilizing existing structures like the II Canje de Deuda (Debt-for-Nature Swap) and the Puntos de Cultura model to channel resources toward local pollinator initiatives.
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Green Microfinance: Developing credit lines with "green" conditions (e.g., through the Fundación Microfinanzas BBVA model) to help small-scale farmers transition to pollinator-friendly practices.
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Targeted Subsidies: Reorienting agricultural incentives to reward the maintenance of "biological corridors" on private farms.
2. Strategic Roadmap to Implement the Mechanisms, (Download the Roadmap Here)
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Governance & Integration: The analysis revealed that success depends on a Multi-Actor Structure, involving the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG), the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MINAE), and local cooperatives.
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Barriers to Entry: Key challenges identified include a lack of technical knowledge among financial entities regarding "pollination risk" and the need for simplified monitoring systems for farmers.
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Gender and Indigenous Equity: The project established specific guidelines to ensure that financial mechanisms are accessible to women and Indigenous communities, who often play a central but unrecognized role in managing local biodiversity.
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The roadmap aligns with Costa Rica's National Bioeconomy Strategy and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, specifically addressing the funding gap for "non-charismatic" but economically vital species.
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Participatory workshops reached key stakeholders across the Tempisque Conservation Area, ensuring that the proposed financial tools are grounded in the daily economic realities of Nicoya’s producers.
2. Long-term Viability
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Mainstreaming Pollination in Credit: Financial institutions should incorporate pollinator health as a metric for agricultural sustainability in loan assessments.
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Capacity Building: Continuous training for livestock and agricultural producers on the economic Return on Investment (ROI) of pollination services to reduce reliance on external subsidies.
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Policy Harmonization: Aligning local subnational incentives with National Biodiversity Strategy (NBSAP) targets to create a unified funding environment.
By understanding the barriers to public and private investment, CSF provides actionable recommendations that encourage greater engagement in pollination conservation. The ultimate goal is to build capacity among government and non-government actors and ensure that pollination services receive the resources and institutional support needed to safeguard this vital ecological function.
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This project is funded by the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) as part of their broader ‘Regional Action to Enhance the Protection of Pollinating Insects and Pollination Services in Latin America and the Caribbean’ project.
Photo: Shutterstock.com/ Ondrej Prosicky