BioClima: blended finance for natural capital conservation

BioClima is a Lombardy Region and Cariplo Foundation initiative under the EU’s GESTURE 2020 project, launching in 2022 to advance biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation in protected areas and Natura 2000 sites. It deploys €5 million in blended finance—€3.5 million public grants and €1.5 million private co-financing—targeting habitat restoration, species protection, and green infrastructure. The initiative supports project development via a Technical Facility using digital tools like woONature, promotes FSC certification for 3,000 hectares of forest, and has delivered 27 hectares of biodiversity interventions, 66,000 trees planted, and 150+ training sessions. By 2025, it had mobilised €5.6 million in funding, protected 16 habitats and 22 species, and achieved 100 media mentions. The model supports Italy’s goal to close its €260 million annual conservation funding gap and offers a replicable pathway to meet the EU Nature Restoration Law’s 2030 target of restoring 20% of land.