NEFs may be set up as trust funds, foundations or nonprofit corporations. NEFs are usually governed by broad-based boards representing national government, local NGOs, and donors to the fund. The Forum opened with an overview of the enormous challenges facing those who seek to develop mechanisms to support sustainable development. In order to achieve conservation, national governments need to help communities unburden themselves and meet other urgent priorities, such as health and schooling, before they can even consider biological diversity. On an international scale, the challenge is to create a balance between countries with biological wealth and those with financial wealth.
Environmental problems are too massive for any one sector or financing mechanism to address.
Therefore, there is an urgent need for creative financing mechanisms to generate significant resources and impact. Commitment is also key, as is the need for participatory programs that build capability, transparency and trust. NEF's actually create more than a source of financing, The process of creating NEFs can create trust between various sectors of society. With trust comes accountability and a need for all partners to be responsible. NEFs also prove that it is possible to address problems, thus creating confidence and a better ability to face environmental problems.