BSL’s Biodiversity Project Ranking Scheme

• Measuring effectiveness efficiency and sustainability of conservation-related projects

The corporate sector of Sri Lanka is a key partner in terms of delivering actions that contribute towards the country’s achievement of targets and commitments made to the international community via international conventions and agreements. Although there are numerous conservation actions and projects being implemented across the island by private sector entities in the country, their effectiveness and actual contribution towards the purpose is rarely measured and/or monitored. 

In order to address this lacuna, Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL) conceived the idea of developing a Biodiversity Projects Ranking Scheme, a mechanism through which the effectiveness and efficiency of such projects can be analysed and measured for improvement. The Biodiversity Projects Ranking Scheme is a system which could be applied to a number and variety of conservation-related projects with ease, to identify gaps, realise potential for improvement and finally also to be awarded with a ranking which is helpful in understanding the success of the project in terms of seven key areas which contribute to the holistic success of same. The scheme also ultimately endeavours to ensure that private sector-led biodiversity conservation projects, support national biodiversity conservation efforts and are aligned with national priorities and sustainable practices.

The seven key areas being looked at with regard to the improvement of design and implementation of such projects are, Alignment with Policies and Priorities, Planning, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation, Outcomes, Sustainability and Creativity. The ranking is carried out by a panel appointed by BSL, selected from its Auditor Bank, consisting of eminent scientists in the country, based on the relevant expertise required for the specific project being evaluated. 

BSL has pilot tested and refined this scheme to enable it to be used not only as a means of ranking projects nearing completion or are at their final stages, but also to be used in project design. Companies have applied this scheme to their projects and yielded valuable information, insights and advice on how to improve, change course and/or ensure sustainability post project completion.   On completion of project evaluation, the projects receive a unique ranking symbolised by ‘leaves’ counting from 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest), along with exclusive access to use the BSL Biodiversity Project Ranking Scheme logo in appropriate visibility material being generated by the company supporting/implementing the project. Additionally, if the company requires technical assistance to further improve the project, BSL offers the necessary technical expertise, through BSL’s Technical Resource Bank. The BSL Biodiversity Project Ranking Scheme is open for adoption by any company in Sri Lanka and can be accessed through an inquiry made to the BSL Secretariat.