Introduction to GBIF

GBIF is a growing global network of Participant countries, economies and organizations, each with different priorities and capacity assets and needs. Capacity enhancement is recognized as essential to underpin the sustainable performance of the GBIF Participant network and all its members, independent of their level of development.

Broadly speaking, much of GBIF’s work contributes to capacity enhancement. The Participant nodes ensure capacity development at the national level, often providing training for individuals and institutions within their networks. Collaboration between Participants through GBIF’s governance structures enables further international and regional exchange and partnerships.

The GBIF Secretariat supports the work of the network, which contributes to capacity development, in particular by coordinating activities, engaging volunteers in the community of practice and supporting the development of core training materials. The Secretariat’s role in capacity enhancement activities leans more toward facilitation than implementation: providing guidance, documenting best practices, collating training material, coordinating activities, and creating or aligning opportunities. The Secretariat plays a further role in enhancing capacity by providing funding opportunities for collaborative projects in the network, often with a focus on mobilizing biodiversity data, supporting the use of GBIF-mobilized data and strengthening national biodiversity information facilities.

You can find more information about GBIF’s funding programmes on our website.