Dear Colleagues,

It gives me great pleasure to share with you two important resources launched recently by the Equator Initiative partnership at the Eleventh Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP-11).

The Equator Initiative Case Study Database<http://www.equatorinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_winners&view=ca...>

Over the past two years, the Equator Initiative has developed detailed case studies on 127 Equator Prize winners, all outstanding efforts to reduce poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystems.  This case material is now available on the Equator Initiative Case Study Database<http://www.equatorinitiative.org/index.php?option=com_winners&view=ca...>, a dynamic platform that is searchable by five regions, sixty countries, eight themes (including community-based adaptation, sustainable energy, and food security), and twenty-three different fields of work (including agroforestry, fisheries, wildlife management, seed banks, and ecosystem restoration).  Each case study documents  project catalysts, the genesis of winning ideas, institutional frameworks and governance systems, key activities and innovations, biodiversity impacts (species, habitats and ecosystems conserved), socio-economic impacts (changes in household income, community infrastructure, health, education and empowerment), policy impacts, financial and social sustainability, successes and challenges with replication, and the role of partnerships.

*An additional 25 case studies, those of the Equator Prize 2012 winners, will be added by the end of the year.

The Power of Local Action: Lessons from 10 Years of the Equator Prize<http://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/events/2012events/Boo...>

The Equator Initiative has also launched a lessons learned book based on trends, commonalities and observations from across the winning communities.  The publication, The Power of Local Action: Lessons from 10 Years of the Equator Prize<http://www.equatorinitiative.org/images/stories/events/2012events/Boo...>, presents the twelve key lessons with greatest relevance to catalyzing and supporting community-based sustainable development solutions.  The book breaks down the ingredients of success underpinning local action for environment and development, and makes a compelling case for investment in community-based approaches.  Case studies are used to illustrate lessons and sub-lessons, with hyperlinks to full case material provided throughout.  Policy guidance is provided for a range of stakeholders, including governments, civil society and community-based organizations.

I invite you to explore both bodies of work, distribute widely to relevant stakeholders, and help get this material mainstreamed into learning and knowledge networks in your respective countries and areas of work.

Should you have any questions, concerns, or feedback please contact Joseph Corcoran of the Equator Initiative at joseph.corco...@undp.org<mailto:joseph.corco...@undp.org>.

Best regards,

Joseph Cocran