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, 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 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) will contribute 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 will also analyze the challenges and opportunities associated with implementing these mechanisms, offering guidance for their future adaptation and development.
The project will deliver:
- a list of financial mechanisms suited to supporting pollination services and the conservation of pollinating insects, along with the identification of relevant implementing actors;
- recommendations for the implementation of these mechanisms, highlighting potential opportunities and challenges;
- an analysis of existing models, including strengths, weaknesses, and possibilities for public and private sector funding; and
- policy recommendations for national and subnational governments on how to adapt and apply these financial mechanisms.
As part of this effort, CSF will conduct interviews with key stakeholders at the national and subnational levels and host participatory workshops with representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, the Tempisque Conservation Area, community organizations, agricultural and livestock producers, and members of the conservation, finance, and civil society sectors.
By understanding the barriers to public and private investment, CSF aims to provide 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.
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