Given that much of the Earth’s biodiversity remains unknown, especially in developing countries, it is crucial to further uncover this biodiversity so that appropriate measures can be taken for the conservation and sustainable management of the natural resources and ecosystem services provided.

To strengthen the capacities of researchers and students from partner countries of the Belgian Development Cooperation in studying particular components of their country’s biodiversity, the Belgian National Focal Point (NFP) to the Global Taxonomy Initiative (GTI) provides funding for specific training on a diverse range of organisms, tailored to demand from the South.