The Darwin Initiative is a UK Government funding program that aims to assist countries with rich biodiversity but poor financial resources to meet their objectives under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS).
The Darwin Initiative was announced by the UK Government in 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The DAC's Terms of Reference state its purpose to be "To advise the Secretary of State for the Environment on the principles and objectives of the Darwin Initiative for the Survival of Species grant programme in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity especially Article 5, taking into account the past experience of the grant programme."
The DAC therefore advises Ministers on development of the Initiative and makes recommendations on applications for funding.
[4] Under the 2010 UK quango reforms, the Darwin Advisory Council will be reconstituted as a committee of experts effective by March 2011.