On 17 December 2011, the Ministry of the Environment, Japan (MOEJ) and the Global Environment Facility Secretariat (GEF SEC) entered into a cooperation agreement, in Kanazawa, Japan. Based on the concept of the Satoyama Initiative, MOEJ and GEF SEC will jointly work to support local communities on concrete actions promoting biodiversity-friendly production and livelihoods in harmony with nature.

The cooperation agreement recognises the long-standing financial record of the GEF with its projects promoting market mechanisms and development policies that incorporate biodiversity conservation and sustainable use. The agreement also states that the GEF will facilitate use of its grant modalities for activities related to the Satoyama Initiative, subject to country needs and eligibility criteria of the GEF.

The memorandum for cooperation between MOEJ and GEF SEC on the Satoyama Initiative is now available for download.