The Ecuadorian government, through the Ministry of Environment and Energy (MAE), has approved the Grants Manual for the Amazon Biocorridor Fund. This decision by the Fund’s Board of Directors enables the operational phase of the Amazon Biocorridor Program, aimed at protecting Ecuador’s Amazon region.
According to officials, the new manual sets out transparent and uniform rules for public and private sector projects seeking funding. These projects will focus on biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and strengthening local Amazonian communities. The manual also introduces simplified procedures for submitting proposals, accountability, and responsible project execution.
The Amazon Biocorridor Fund was established in November 2024 as a non-profit entity. It manages resources from a debt-for-nature swap mechanism developed through a partnership between Ecuador, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB). Over the next 17 years, this mechanism will allocate $460 million for Amazon conservation efforts and establish an endowment fund to ensure long-term sustainable financing.
The main goal of the Amazon Biocorridor Program is to protect both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems in the Amazon while supporting local communities and promoting development that aligns with environmental protection.
With this approval, Ecuador moves forward in implementing its strategy for conservation finance and reaffirms its commitment to protecting the Amazon region. The country seeks to position itself as a regional leader in innovative environmental funding mechanisms.
