Online Course: Biodiversity Finance: Designing and Implementing Finance Plans for Nature

Unlock practical tools to finance a nature-positive future. This free, massive open online course introduces UNDP’s BIOFIN methodology for designing and implementing national biodiversity finance plans. Through interactive lessons and knowledge checks, you’ll learn to assess your country’s policy and financial landscape, review biodiversity expenditures, estimate the cost of achieving biodiversity targets, and identify finance solutions that align with national priorities. Whether you work in policy, finance, conservation, or development, this course builds a solid foundation for integrating biodiversity into financial planning.
The Massive Open Online Course “Biodiversity Finance: Designing and Implementing Finance Plans for Nature” is a practical introduction to the BIOFIN methodology—a globally recognized approach to designing and implementing national biodiversity finance plans. Based on the BIOFIN Workbook 2024, this course offers a clear pathway to assess biodiversity expenditures and finance needs, identify and prioritize finance solutions, and align them with national policies and global biodiversity targets. Whether you’re shaping policy, managing biodiversity projects, managing financial institutions, or advising on finance strategies, this course equips you with the knowledge and tools to integrate biodiversity into public and private financial systems.
Learning objectives
By the end of the course, you will be able to:

  • Engage relevant stakeholders and lay the groundwork for effective coordination and collaboration on biodiversity finance
  • Analyze the policy, institutional, and economic context for biodiversity finance
  • Review biodiversity expenditures from the public, civil society and private entities
  • Conduct a financial needs assessment to align with biodiversity goals
  • Develop a biodiversity finance plan and identify the most suitable finance solutions
  • Implement biodiversity finance solutions in alignment with national and global strategies

Target audience

This course is designed for:

  • Policymakers in finance, environment, and planning ministries
  • Biodiversity finance practitioners working on finance strategies
  • Conservation professionals seeking finance solutions for biodiversity initiatives
  • Development organizations, NGOs, and researchers focused on biodiversity economics
  • Professionals working in private companies and financial institutions looking to better understand their dependencies and responsibilities vis-à-vis nature

Course structure

The course spans six weeks, drawing on the key concepts and steps outlined in the BIOFIN Workbook 2024:

  • Week 1: Introduction to Biodiversity Finance and Launch of BIOFIN in a Country
  • Week 2: The Biodiversity Finance Policy and Institutional Review
  • Week 3: The Biodiversity Expenditure Review
  • Week 4: Biodiversity Financial Needs Assessment
  • Week 5: The Biodiversity Finance Plan
  • Week 6: Implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Plan

Course completion requirements

To receive your certificate of completion, you must:

  • Complete six interactive lessons
  • Pass six quizzes with a minimum score of 60%
  • Complete the final test
  • Submit the course feedback form

How to register?

Click “Enroll” to register. If you register, you will receive an orientation email with all the information in preparation for the course on 15 September 2025.

Location: Virtual

Dates: September 22, 2025 - October 31, 2025

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