In Galápagos, great ideas are born every day, often from the people who know these islands better than anyone, those who call them home. That is why Galápagos Conservancy is proud to open its seventh call for community grants, reaffirming our commitment to the people and biodiversity that make this place so unique.
Galápagos faces urgent and complex conservation challenges that threaten its remarkable biodiversity. For over four decades, we have invested more than 50 million dollars addressing them to protect these extraordinary islands, working alongside research institutions and government agencies to address these threats effectively. Building on that solid foundation, we saw the opportunity to broaden our impact by directly empowering local communities. Since 2021, our grants program has focused on community-led conservation, investing around 5 million dollars in 198 local projects.
This program ensures that even those without formal institutional backing can access the resources they need to turn their ideas into action. Today, residents, entrepreneurs, teachers, and researchers see this program as a real path to supporting the sustainability of the islands.
One of these initiatives comes from Mayra Hernández, an entrepreneur from Santa Cruz Island and a recipient of the WISE program Women in Sustainable Entrepreneurship. She has turned the collection of microplastics into a tool for social and environmental transformation.
Stories like Mayra’s confirm our deeply believe that local leadership is essential for conservation. By making funding accessible, we help residents create solutions for challenges like regenerative agriculture, waste management, environmental education, and sustainable business development. This approach creates opportunities, promotes equity, and strengthens the resilience of Galápagos communities.
Since 2021, a new generation of local leaders has found momentum through Galápagos Conservancy grants, sparking a wave of local innovation and conservation commitment.
Women-led projects have taught children to turn plastic waste into art and toys, reforested school grounds with native species, and strengthened environmental education, all while advancing women’s economic mobility and leadership in their communities.
At the same time, our conservation grants have helped protect some of the islands most iconic and threatened wildlife. Local researchers and organizations have received vital resources to study and safeguard whale sharks, penguins, and blue-footed boobies, while also carrying out critical efforts to save highly endangered species like the mangrove finch and vermilion flycatcher from extinction.
By supporting projects on individual islands and archipelago-wide initiatives alike, we are delivering tangible, lasting benefits for both nature and local communities, building a future where conservation and sustainable development go hand in hand.
We warmly invite residents, researchers, organizations, and entrepreneurs to apply for this new round of funding. Applications are open until July 4th. If you know someone with a great idea for conservation or sustainability in Galápagos, please help us share this opportunity.
Together, we are building a future where every resident of the Galápagos Islands has the chance to lead in protecting and caring for this extraordinary place.
If you would like to help us keep expanding our impact and supporting local conservation leaders, please consider supporting Galápagos Conservancy today. Your partnership is essential to protecting Galápagos for generations to come.
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