In 2025, the Melbourne Biodiversity Institute awarded seed funding to support the establishment of the Melanesian Biodiversity Conservation Network (MBCN), with implementation scheduled for November 2026. This funding will enable the Network to strengthen regional collaboration across Papua New Guinea, Bougainville, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu and New Caledonia, and to formalise its foundations as a platform for Indigenous‑led biodiversity governance.

Key Activities

Strategy Workshop

A week‑long workshop in Melbourne will bring together community leaders, researchers and partners to design MBCN’s governance model, strategic pillars and operational structure, and to map collaborative opportunities across Melanesia.

White Paper Launch

Funding will support the development and public release of the inaugural MBCN White Paper, outlining the Network’s vision, structural imperatives, TEK–science integration pathways, and future research and policy priorities.

Regional Networking

Engagements with community networks, governments, universities and conservation partners will strengthen regional alliances and advance pathways for joint research, policy advocacy and future funding.

Outcomes

The project will formally establish the MBCN within the Oceania Institute at the University of Melbourne, deliver a co‑designed governance framework, produce the Network’s foundational White Paper and deepen regional partnerships. Together, these steps will position the MBCN as a leading voice for Indigenous‑led biodiversity action in Melanesia.