81313933 - Business models and finance solutions for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands

The contractor will contribute to a limited extent to outputs 2 and 3 and primarily focusses its work and services on the outputs 4 and 5 of the module with a particular emphasis on business models and finance solutions for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands in Ecuador.

Output 4 aims to strengthen the development of inclusive production and business models, which contribute to the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands. The hypothesis is that the promotion of nature-positive production or business models with the participation of the local population (especially women and indigenous people) through an innovation competition, will improve the framework for the conservation of high Andean wetlands by mobilising private sector support. Close cooperation with MAATE and MAG is required in order to reach the key actors in agricultural land use and to harmonize the agricultural extension approach with MAG. Also dialogue events with producers are of strategic importance. MAATE will be advised in its role in promoting the bioeconomy and supported in the organization of the innovation competition, as well as in the implementation of the selected projects, possibly with the involvement of the Ministry of Production (Ministerio de Producción, Comercio Exterior, Inversiones y Pesca, MPCEIP). In addition, producer organizations are being prepared to meet market requirements. Initiatives that contribute to the preservation of cultural identity and have a high proportion of women are given preference.

Output 5 aims to provide new resource mobilization options for conservation, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands. The hypothesis is that campaigns to mobilise contributions as well as the development of financing solutions improve the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands and contribute to the expansion of corresponding initiatives. The campaigns of the partners to be supported are intended to mobilize contributions from the private sector and the local population, as well as the Ecuadorian diaspora in the USA, as there are many migrants from the Ecuadorian highlands. Financing solutions are being developed to promote the conservation, restoration or sustainable use of the high Andean wetlands. These include compensation mechanisms for ecosystem services, such as water funds. As a basis for the implementation of the national programme for the compensation of greenhouse gas emissions (Programa Ecuador Carbono Cero, PECC) in the páramos, the partners are advised on the development of methods for MRV of greenhouse gases in the high Andean wetlands, as well as on other financing options via government incentives (e.g. tax incentives, credit lines at special conditions, among others).

The implementation of the following four work packages (WP) is required:

WP 1 (related to output 2) - Technical and methodological capacities for the planning and monitoring of restoration measures: - An assessment of strategic nature metrics (water, biodiversity, carbon) from a finance perspective (e.g. with relevance to the finance and business sector or results-based schemes) has been conducted and evaluates the corresponding finance potential and viability. - A sustainable financing strategy to ensure a long-term restoration monitoring system of high Andean wetlands has been proposed (including the finance for permanent trial areas as a reference for restoration monitoring).

WP 2 (related to output 3) - New management tools to protect and record the effects of restoration measures in and around Ramsar sites: - Documents about lessons learned and successful experiences in Ramsar sites (regarding Ramsar site management, sustainable financing of Ramsar site management, conflict management, engagement of local population) from other countries are shared. - A feasibility analysis for the declaration of new Ramsar sites located in the intervention areas has been conducted. - A short-term expert in Ramsar sites has attended and has actively participated in Governance roundtables. - A Document on opportunities for strengthened ecological connectivity that Ramsar sites may provide for biodiversity (flora and fauna) and water has been developed and presented.

WP 3 (related to output 4) - Production and nature-positive business models that contribute to the protection, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands: - An innovation competition / call for project proposals for the promotion of nature-positive business models is launched. - The proposals presented in the innovation contest are evaluated. - 3 private companies that contribute to the protection, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands with nature-positive business models are identified. - 5 selected projects resulting from the innovation contest have been initiated with the participation of actors in the intervention area. - The implementation of the projects as well as the good practices for reducing the ecological footprint are systematized.

WP 4 (related to output 5) - Resource mobilization for the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of high Andean wetlands: - Campaigns about the protection of páramo ecosystems in order to mobilize financing for this ecosystem are designed. - Information material as part of the campaigns is developed. - A Diagnostic study of financing needs and financing options is carried out. - Information campaigns aimed at private companies, the Ecuadorian diaspora in the USA and at the local population to raise awareness about high Andean wetlands and ecosystem services are launched. - 5 financing solutions have been developed. - A portfolio comprising at least 5 fundable projects has been institutionalized in a competent organization/institution.

Furthermore, the contractor will contribute to the monitoring and knowledge management of the module.