INTRODUCTION In December 2012 a new 10 year strategy (2014-2023) of the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme (in the text also: ‘DGD-programme’ or DGD-unit) on capacity building for Biodiversity has been approved by the Steering Committee. The strategy contains a general objective, 6 specific objectives, and 16 expected results. In June 2013 the relevant Minister accepted this approval for a strategy of 10 years, divided into two phases of 5 years, with an indicative budget of 6 M EURO for the first phase of five years, (on condition of budget approval). In September 2013, a workshop was held on Project Cycle Management for the RBINS-team, reviewing the main activities and indicators. This document presents the programme for the first phase of 5 years (2014-2018), with special attention to the objectives and outcome and their indicators in an approach of result-based management. This programme is based on the results of a self-assessment, done in the previous period covering 2007-2012 and a synthesis of that period (available on demand). The complete logical framework, operational plans, the budget and a list of institutional partners are given in annex (1-4). The linkages between the specific objectives of the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual plan and the Aïchi targets (COP 10) are listed in annex 5. A more detailed description at the level of activities will be outlined in the annual plans 2014-2018. Finally the embedding of the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme into the strategic action plan of the recently created operational Direction ‘Nature’ of RBINS is explained in the short- (2014-2015), mid-(2016-2018) and long-term (2018-2023) perspective as shown in annex 6. As an introduction, some elements of the strategic framework, (part III of the strategic plan 2014-2023), are presented in order to list the general and specific objectives, the links with the international context, global results and intended impacts. Then the programme design, outcome and budget are presented. Finally each of the 6 specific objectives (SO) is worked out in more detail. Compared with the previous strategy (2008-2012), the budget increased with ca. 36%, the specific objectives were expanded and 3 new specific objectives were added (Specific objective 3 on awareness raising, SO5 on ‘Measuring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) of biodiversity interventions and SO6 on the Protocol of Nagoya). On condition of budget approval and in order to fulfil the additional requirements of the new strategy, a scientist shall be recruited by the beginning of 2014. The DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme adopts two approaches: (A) institutional strengthening through capacity development and (B) a grants programme through competitive calls, both dedicated to biodiversity and poverty eradication The programme focuses on the biodiversity of terrestrial (tropical forest, dry and highland forests, savannahs, grasslands), and aquatic ecosystems (marine and wetlands). 9 | P a g e As promoted by the Paris Declaration, the Agenda of Accra and Busan 1 on improved efficiency of development cooperation (with special emphasis on ownership, harmonisation, alignment and mutual accountability), it is important to link (synergies), align and harmonise our projects to similar or complementary initiatives, whether in Belgium (e.g. bilateral, delegated or scientific cooperation undertaken by DGD or BELSPO) or other European and international actors (e.g. the International Foundation for Science, IFS, Sweden2). Such synergies will be essential for the quality of generation of results that can have a real impact on development policies and good governance related to the conservation and the promotion of biodiversity as promulgated by the Aïchi targets. Moreover, the implementation of the strategy should contribute to the post 2015 Sustainable Development Goals, as well as the Belgian efforts for climate change mitigation and adaptation in the developing world. The DGD-unit at RBINS aims at becoming an excellence centre about the link between biodiversity policy, conservation and management, the sustainable use of ecosystem services and sustainable development with a particular focus on poverty reduction and eradication, through capacity building and research. Its web site will be updated and refreshed in order to increase (i) visibility, (ii) transparency, (iii) information sharing with all stakeholders and (iv) information sharing with the broader public. Due to the recent restructuration at RBINS (2013), the DGD-unit has become part of the Operational Direction “Natural Environments”. The National Focal Point on the Convention for Biodiversity (CBD) and the Belgian Platform for Biodiversity are housed at RBINS as well. This brings possibilities of synergies between these three units within RBINS and beyond. In order to remain at the spear point of the latest developments, the DGD-programme needs to be evaluated on a regular basis (mid- and end of term). The preparations for these evaluations will take place during the years 4 and 10-11 (to be developed in the second phase), and the implementation of the evaluations will take place in respectively years 4-5 and 10-11. The DGD-unit will seek to promote research on the link between biodiversity conservation, policies and 1 http://www.oecd.org/dac/effectiveness/thehighlevelforaonaideffectivenessahistory.htm: he formulation of a set of principles for effective aid - now adhered to by over 100 countries as the blueprint for maximising the impact of aid - grew out of a need to understand why aid was not producting the development results everyone wanted to see and to step up efforts to meet the ambitious targets set by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). These principles are rooted in continuous efforts to improve the delivery of aid, marked by three notable events: the High Level Fora on Aid Effectiveness in Rome, Paris, Accra and Busan in 2003, 2005 and 2008, and 2011 respectively. 2 www.ifs.se Almost ¾ of the programme is dedicated to Africa. Half of the earmarked budget for institutional strengthening through capacity development in Africa is dedicated to DR Congo. Concerning capacities for research and habitat monitoring related to biodiversity and poverty eradication, the DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme mainly supports institutional strengthening in DR Congo, Burundi, Benin, Peru and Vietnam. 10 | P a g e sustainable development and poverty alleviation in order to develop relevant indicators, but also solutions by and for the partner countries. Integration of poverty eradication plans into national biodiversity strategies and, vice-versa, of biodiversity plans into national development plans will be more and more applied in the developing countries. The DGD-RBINS pluri-annual programme contributes to these processes, a.o. through participation in the mixed commissions for the preparation of the Indicative Development Cooperation Plans (IDCP). By doing so, the programme adheres as much as possible to the local processes of needs analysis. One new feature in the programme is the support of pilot projects in the South that will enable our partners to feed biodiversity monitoring data into national indicator processes. It will be important to valorise the work carried out by our partners who are involved in biodiversity monitoring studies, so that their data can be useful for, and used in, current indicator processes on the status of biodiversity. Sound baselines and measurements of biodiversity are needed to be able to provide meaningful trends. To enable our partners to contribute to these indicator processes, training and dedicated follow-up will be required to ensure the quality of the produced data. Mainstreaming of, and training about biodiversity issues in the sector of cooperation, but also at local governance levels will gain importance in the coming years. The Pro tocol of Nagoya will retain particular attention in that respect, as it will become a global instrument to accede and use genetic resources and derived products in a more sustainable and equitable way, once the parties, also Belgium ratify it (expected during 2014).