The Darwin Initiative

Darwin Information Project

Dear Colleague

Defra's Darwin Initiative has invested in a programme of work designed to increase the global accessibility and value of information relating to projects funded by the Initiative. The resulting Darwin Information Project will deliver a new website for the Initiative, where one of the most important features will be the ability for users to download electronic copies of the main documents relating to a project. The key aim of this project is to ensure that the huge amount of useful information that has built up over the lifetime of the Darwin Initiative is made available to the public.

We are writing to you as a Project Leader for one or more Darwin Initiative projects to inform you that it is our intention to place the following non personal information into the public domain through a phased process commencing on 14 April 2008.

The following information will be published:

• Final applications for successful projects (Stage-2 for Main Projects). Detailed financial information and personal contact details will be removed before publication.
• Annual and final reports produced by projects.
• Major outputs that have been provided in an electronic form.

Projects should note that ECTF commissioned reviews of project reports will not be placed in the public domain.

You are now being given an opportunity to consult with your project partners and are asked to alert ECTF if you feel that there are specific reasons why any of the above information about your project or projects should not be placed in the public domain. There are a number of exemptions (under the Freedom of Information Act 2000) and exceptions (under Environmental Regulations 2004) which could protect information from disclosure. For example, information which may adversely impact international relations; or information which would harm the interests of a person who supplied the information, might be with-held. We also recognise that some information in project reports may be sensitive and, for a range of differing reasons, might also qualify from exemption from release.

Any request for material to be excluded from the Darwin Information Project needs to be justified with the following supporting information:

Project Reference Number:

Project Title:

Project Leader's name:

Scope of material to be excluded (all/ specific files):

Justification for the exclusion of this material:

Please note that under the Freedom of Information Act (2000), it is presumed that information about Darwin Information projects should be available in the public domain. Any justification for exclusion from the Darwin Information Project will need to explain why the material should be considered to fit criteria such that they are exempt from the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 legislation (http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/exintro/chap03.htm). Please note that exclusions will not be automatic and you will be informed of the outcome of your application. Further information on exemptions and exceptions can be obtained at : http://www.foi.gov.uk/guidance/exguide/index.htm Freedom of Information Exceptions and http://defra.gov.uk/corporate/opengov/eir/guidance/index.htm Exceptions under Environmental Regulations.

Applications for exemptions need to be received by ECTF by 31 March 2008.

Please note that once the new website is live (and the Darwin Information Project is operational) you will receive an additional email with a request to check the information that the Darwin Information Project has stored about your project. At that time you will be given the option to comment on the content in the Darwin Information Project including the option to object to publication of specific files or else to provide additional information to be placed in the system (for example copies of documents related to the project but published after completion).

Regards

Paul van Gardingen and Eilidh Young
Darwin Projects
Pentlands Science Park, Bush Loan, Penicuik, EH26 0PL

Sarah Nelson
Defra

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