The Galápagos Life Fund (GLF), the entity in charge of administering the resources from the debt swap signed by Ecuador in 2023 for the protection of the Galápagos Islands, closed 2025 with an investment of $12.4 million aimed at strengthening marine conservation, institutional management, and community participation in the archipelago. According to a press release, the fund allocated six million dollars to the Governance Project to strengthen the inter-institutional control and surveillance system of the Galápagos Marine Reserve (RMG) and the Hermandad Marine Reserve (RMH), in coordination with various state entities. Additionally, $3.8 million were allocated to community projects through small, medium, and large grants for environmental education and sustainable fishing initiatives, benefiting local organizations and the four inhabited islands of Galápagos. The remaining $2.6 million were allocated to the Transitional Assistance Plan (TAP) of the Hermandad Marine Reserve, a program aimed at accompanying the artisanal fishing sector in adapting to new regulations through training, technology, and capacity building. Due to its high biodiversity, Galápagos is considered a natural laboratory that inspired British scientist Charles Darwin in the 19th century to develop his theory of the evolution and natural selection of species. 'The investment made this year reflects our long-term commitment to Galápagos: protecting its marine biodiversity, strengthening the institutions responsible for its management, and empowering communities as protagonists of conservation, in line with the planning and objectives of the fund,' stated Mónica Calvopiña, executive director of the Galápagos Life Fund.
