Introduction to Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

In response to the urgent need to conserve at least 30% of terrestrial, inland waters, and coastal marine areas globally, the Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECM) framework is emerging as a critical tool to complement protected areas efforts and support global conservation goals.

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), adopted in December 2022, calls on countries to ensure and enable effectively conserved and managed protected and conserved areas, including OECMs.

Governments, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, and other non-state actors are increasingly seeking guidance to implement the OECM framework in a way that enhances the equity, effectiveness, and coverage of conservation efforts, under a range of governance and management regimes.

IUCN’s World Commission on Protected Areas (IUCN-WCPA) and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) are pleased to offer this free, self-paced course based on the IUCN Guidance on Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures. Designed for use across diverse contexts, the course supports participants in understanding and applying the OECM framework defined by the CBD to strengthen biodiversity conservation efforts around the world.

About the course

The course introduces the foundational concepts and practical steps involved in advancing enabling conditions, identifying, reporting, monitoring, and strengthening Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). Based on the official IUCN guidance resulting from the CBD OECM framework, this course presents general principles, key criteria, and globally applicable best practices for OECM recognition across diverse governance and management types.

Through real-world examples and context-sensitive case studies, learners will explore how OECMs contribute to biodiversity conservation alongside protected areas and Indigenous and traditional territories while supporting national commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

This course is designed primarily for conservation practitioners, policymakers, researchers, community leaders, and others engaged in area-based conservation. It is also accessible to a general audience with an interest in expanding and strengthening their knowledge of OECMs.

A certificate will be awarded to participants who complete all course requirements.

Course highlights and outcomes

• Gain a solid understanding of the concept, purpose, and defining criteria to identify Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). 
• Learn about the enabling conditions that support effective and long-term conservation outcomes through OECMs.
• Acquire knowledge on how to apply a step-by-step process for identifying OECMs in line with international guidance and standards.
• Explore approaches to monitoring OECMs and enhancing their effectiveness through adaptive management and long-term capacity building.
• Acknowledge how OECMs contribute to global biodiversity targets, including the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
• Understand the roles of different governance types and authorities, including Indigenous Peoples and local communities, in area-based conservation.
• Explore case studies that illustrate real-world examples of OECMs.
• Build skills to assess sites for potential OECM status and support national reporting processes.
• Receive a certificate of completion from the course partners.
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Learning objectives

By the time you complete the course, you will be able to:

• Understand the global context and importance of OECMs for biodiversity conservation
• Define OECMs and distinguish them from protected areas, recognizing their specific role and criteria as complementary conservation areas
• Recognize different governance and management types supporting OECMs
• Use the IUCN site-level tool for identifying OECMs 
• Know how to report OECMs and support their ongoing monitoring and review
• Explore ways to strengthen OECMs through better management and stakeholder involvement