BirdLife International has received a £7.5 million grant from the Ecological Restoration Fund to strengthen conservation and restoration efforts across one of the world’s most important migratory bird routes, the African–Eurasian Flyway. The funding will support a three-year program aimed at protecting key habitats and improving coordination across multiple countries.
Migratory bird populations are under increasing pressure, with research showing that one in nine species is threatened with extinction and nearly half are in decline. The new initiative seeks to address these challenges by focusing on restoring wetlands, safeguarding priority sites, and improving ecological connectivity along the flyway, which stretches across Africa, Europe, and parts of Asia.
The program will support on-the-ground conservation work in countries including Romania, Bulgaria, Iraq, Jordan, Uganda, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. These efforts will focus on habitat restoration, protection of critical ecosystems, and the development of nature-based economic opportunities that can support local communities while preserving biodiversity.
A key component of the initiative involves strengthening collaboration between conservation groups and development institutions, including cooperation with the World Bank. The partnership aims to ensure that large infrastructure projects, such as renewable energy developments, take migratory bird pathways into account and reduce environmental risks.
Martin Harper, CEO of BirdLife International, described the funding as a major milestone for cross-border conservation efforts. The project is expected to improve protection of migratory bird habitats while also delivering broader benefits for climate resilience and sustainable development.
The initiative reflects a growing global push to integrate biodiversity protection into economic planning, particularly in regions where infrastructure expansion and environmental conservation intersect.
