Ecuador has an outstandingly rich biodiversity. It is in our common interest to protect this environmental jewel, above all because of the dangers of Climate Change, which threatens our planet. Climate Change is one of the UK government’s most important areas of work nowadays. So many of the themes we support here raise awareness about the environment and climate change so that we can all play a small part in making the world a better place. We also fund projects on human rights, good governance, conflict resolution and gender which meet the wider FCO’s Strategic Objectives. Our funds are not big. For 2009/10 we have about US$90,000.  Further information on what is planned for this year can be found on our Country Business Plan

Some examples of our recent work:

• With local partners such as the Central Bank, we have displayed the The Magic Pencil exhibition in Quito, Manta, Cuenca, Loja and Riobamba. This uses wonderful illustrations from children's books by British artists, and includes activities that help children, and their parents, to be aware of social inclusion, children's rights, and how important it is to care for the environment.

• We have organised and supported conferences on:
 Corporate Social Responsibility
 Security in a Globalised World
 Prison Administration and Human Rights
 Economic Sustainable Development and the Role of the State.
• We have sent to the UK a limited number of Ecuadorians to study in special areas of interest to both our governments. And we keep in close touch with these students, both past and present, through the British Alumni Ecuador (BAE).

• With our help, the BAE has brought distinguished guest British speakers from the UK, such as Dr. Ian Moffatt, Director of the Sustainable Development Programme of the University of Stirling and Dr. Andrew Nickson, Director of the Master's Programme in Governance and Development Management of the University of Birmingham.
• The BAE also brought to Ecuador the British puppeteer Konrad Fredericks so that he could participate in the International Puppet Festival "Con Bombos y Platillos" organised by the Titerefue Foundation.
• Each year DEFRA (British Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) supports new projects that protect biodiversity and sustainable use of natural resources.

The UK is a major donor of funds to the European Union's co-operation programme. The EU is very active in Ecuador, both in areas that support our national goals and more widely. We work closely with the local EU Commission Delegation to ensure that we achieve a more effective impact in Ecuador.