Programme objective
The Biodiversity Pilot Programme tests and develops concrete, scalable biodiversity solutions co‑created with Nordic SMEs. The programme helps companies move beyond risk awareness toward measurable action, learning and long‑term business value.
- Strengthen resilience, competitiveness and nature‑positive impact
- Identify biodiversity impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities
- Develop and refine biodiversity management plans
- Pilot practical actions tailored to company size and sector
Companies participating in the programme
From January 2026, the second round of the Biodiversity Pilot Programme brings together Nordic companies from a range of industries to work with Nefco to advance biodiversity action in practice.
What companies gain from the programme
- Understanding impacts and dependencies. Companies assess how their operations and value chains interact with nature.
- Prioritising action. Key biodiversity risks and opportunities are identified and material topics selected.
- Developing a biodiversity management plan. Each company creates a practical, business-relevant plan.
- Piloting concrete actions. Targeted measures are tested and refined in real operations.
- Learning and sharing. Peer learning, expert feedback and a final seminar to support collective learning.
What the programme includes
Nefco’s Biodiversity Pilot Programme is designed specifically for small and medium-sized companies, recognising the realities of limited resources, diverse business models and the need for solutions that are practical and scalable.
Rather than focusing on abstract frameworks or reporting requirements alone, the programme takes a hands-on, action-oriented approach that links biodiversity directly decision-making and business strategy.
- Workshops and peer learning: Joint workshops and peer exchange across sectors and countries
- Tailored company support: One-on-one expert support tailored to each company and guidance on tools, frameworks and target-setting
- Tools and materials: Practical materials supporting biodiversity management planning, support for assessments, prioritisation and implementation
- Final seminar and knowledge sharing: Joint learning, outcomes and lessons shared
What is expected from participating companies
- Resources: time and participation in the workshops
- Sharing the results, reporting progress
- Collaboration during the programme
Partner and funding
Expert partner
The programme is supported by Ramboll, providing facilitation, workshops and expert guidance to participating companies.
Funding
The programme is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers through the Nordic Environmental Development Fund (NMF). Nefco has managed the NMF fund on behalf of its member countries since 1996.
Results from the first Biodiversity Pilot Programme (2022–2024)
The first Biodiversity Pilot Programme (2022-2024) generated concrete outcomes and valuable learning for both companies and financiers.
Frequently asked questions
Who can participate?
The Biodiversity Pilot Programme is open to small and medium-sized companies in Nefco’s portfolio. Participating companies typically operate in sectors where biodiversity impacts and dependencies are relevant to business operations, value chains or investments, and where there is interest in developing practical, nature supporting solutions.
How long does the programme last?
Each pilot programme runs for approximately 1.5 years. This allows sufficient time for companies to build understanding, develop biodiversity management plans and pilot concrete actions, while keeping the process focused and manageable for SMEs.
What does participation cost?
There is no participation fee for the selected companies. However, participating companies are expected to allocate their time and resources to take part actively in the programme and to implement selected biodiversity actions as part of their regular business activities.
How are companies selected?
Companies in Nefco’s client portfolio are invited to join. The final composition aims to ensure a diverse and complementary group of SMEs, supporting peer learning and shared progress.
What kind of results can companies expect?
While results vary by company and sector, the programme is designed to move participants from awareness to practical implementation. Companies participating in the programme can expect to:
- Gain a clearer understanding of their biodiversity impacts, dependencies, risks and opportunities
- Develop a practical biodiversity management plan tailored to their business
- Pilot concrete, business relevant biodiversity actions
- Strengthen internal capacity, decision-making and strategic resilience related to nature
- Benefit from peer learning and expert guidance throughout the process
Why is biodiversity important for companies?
Biological diversity is declining globally at a rate unprecedented in human history. More than half of global GDP is highly (or moderately) dependent on nature. According to the IPBES Business and Biodiversity Assessment, every business depends on and impacts nature, which makes biodiversity loss a systemic financial and operational risk. Companies can be powerful agents of change by taking various actions to measure and manage their nature impacts and dependencies.
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