Local Initiatives for Biodiversity, Research and Development (LI-BIRD) is a nongovernmental organization (NGO) established in 1995 in Nepal. It is committed to capitalize on local initiatives for sustainable management of renewable natural resources and to improve the livelihoods of resource poor and marginalized people.

In the past sixteen years of partnership for development-oriented research in agriculture and natural resources management, LI-BIRD has contributed to the development of several innovative methodologies and approaches for participatory research and development, and has generated impacts that have enhanced the livelihoods of resource-poor farmers through appropriate technological and policy changes. LI-BIRD has been a pioneer organization in strengthening methodologies to use Participatory Plant Breeding (PPB) and Participatory Variety Selection (PVS) for crop improvement and community-based biodiversity management, and has played an instrumental role in institutionalizing these approaches in the national systems of Nepal.

The national and international communities have been recognising LI-BIRD as a Centre of Excellence for its contribution in shaping national policy, and for developing and promoting good practices for in-situ conservation of agricultural biodiversity on-farm. Because of its impact-oriented approach and professional accountability, LI-BIRD has become a partner of choice for farming communities and organizations engaged in Research and Development (R&D) in agriculture and natural resource management.

Vision

LI-BIRD aspires for a society in which people are healthy, food secure and live in peace with dignity. LI-BIRD will be a partner of choice and be recognized for our commitments to ending poverty.

Mission 

Guided by the aspirations of communities, LI-BIRD works with and empowers poor and marginalized people for their well-being through:

• Strengthening capacity of people and local institutions for improved access to resources and services;
• Ensuring equity and social justice;
• Promoting local innovation for livelihood security;
• Managing biodiversity and ecosystem services;
• Generating and sharing knowledge;
• Forging local, national and international alliances and partnerships; and
• Engaging in influencing and changing policy decisions at all levels

LI-BIRD is fully committed in its mission with an unshakable commitment to learning, meaningful dialogue, local innovation and excellence.

Goal  

Contribute to reducing poverty and improving social justice by empowering poor and marginalized people, and by creating opportunities to improve quality of life through partnership and participatory approaches to research and development on natural resources, biodiversity and ecosystem services.

Objectives 

The major objectives of LI-BIRD programmes are:

• Improve livelihoods of resource poor and marginalized people through increased food security, nutrition and income;
• Enhance biodiversity through conservation and use of genetic resources, both in-situ and ex-situ;
• Improve ecosystem health and services through environmental-friendly and sustainable management of natural resources and addressing issues of climate change;
• Empower farmers, farming communities and rural institutions, with special focus on marginalized and socially-excluded groups to ensure their rights and social justice;
• Increase policy, legal and socio-economic space for safeguarding the rights and livelihoods of farmers and farming-dependent people through policy and social research, advocacy and networking;and
• Generate wider and inclusive impacts through sharing knowledge and innovative approaches to capacity development.

Core Values   

Local Initiative: LI-BIRD values local knowledge and culture, local initiatives and participation of local communities and institutions in all aspects of its work.

Integrity: LI-BIRD acts consistently with its mission and vision. It is honest, accountable and holds others accountable. LI-BIRD is transparent in what it does and says and accepts responsibility for its collective and individual actions.

Biodiversity: LI-BIRD believes in conserving biodiversity as an asset for poverty reduction, enhancing livelihoods, aiding national economic development and maintaining ecosystem health for future generations.

Investment for future: LI-BIRD believes in investing in human and natural resources, which help to protect the environment, and in institutions that secure and enhance the safety and prosperity of future generations.

Respect: LI-BIRD appreciates and respects qualities, capabilities, reputations, opinions and values of individuals, socially-excluded groups, communities, donors, partners, staff and professionals.

Diversity: LI-BIRD values diversity in terms of people, ethnicity,culture, social values, partners, donors and staff.

Download LI-BIRD Brochure [pdf 658 Kb ]