Community-based conservation plays a crucial role in biodiversity protection, but it is not a simple solution. Conservation requires managing commons at multiple levels with interplay among institutions. A complexity perspective is needed to address multiple objectives, use partnerships and deliberative processes, and learn from commons research. Community-based conservation is part of a pluralistic approach to biodiversity protection, involving networks across various levels of organization. The shift to a multilevel governance approach changes how conservation development is conceived and implemented, using diagnostics within a pluralistic framework rather than a blueprint approach. Biodiversity conservation is a multilevel commons problem, involving global, regional, and local levels. It is complex due to varying ownership and control by states, communities, and private entities. Conservation is a complex system problem, as ecological systems are hierarchically organized and self-organizing. Social systems involved in conservation are also multilevel, requiring different concepts and principles at each level. Community-based conservation is not a simple solution but requires dealing with multiple objectives, using partnerships and deliberative processes, and learning from commons research. The UNDP Equator Initiative (EI) projects illustrate how biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation can be integrated. Community-based conservation includes natural resource or biodiversity protection by, for, and with the local community. It emphasizes coexistence of people and nature, not protectionism. Community-based conservation has evolved from state-based conservation, addressing the limitations of the latter. It involves multiple objectives, partnerships, and learning from commons research. The success of community-based conservation depends on partnerships, deliberative processes, and the ability to deal with multiple objectives. The UNDP EI Guyana case shows how conservation and livelihood objectives can be balanced through partnerships and local empowerment. Partnerships and deliberative processes are essential for successful community-based conservation. They involve multiple stakeholders, including local communities, governments, NGOs, and international organizations. Deliberation is important for addressing multiple and competing objectives, as well as differing understandings of human-ecosystem interactions. It requires systematic multiparty interaction and negotiation. Lessons from commons research highlight the importance of exclusion and subtractability problems in conservation projects. A diagnostic approach is needed to assess these issues and develop effective conservation strategies. The eight principles of sustainable commons, as identified by Ostrom, provide a framework for understanding and managing commons. In conclusion, community-based conservation requires a complexity approach, integrating multiple objectives, partnerships, and deliberative processes. It is part of a pluralistic approach to biodiversity protection, involving multiple levels of governance and institutions. The need for a diagnostic approach is clear, as it allows for the assessment of conservation projects and the development of effective strategies. The integration of biodiversity conservation and livelihood needs is essential for sustainable development.Community-based conservation plays a crucial role in biodiversity protection, but it is not a simple solution. Conservation requires managing commons at multiple levels with interplay among institutions. A complexity perspective is needed to address multiple objectives, use partnerships and deliberative processes, and learn from commons research. Community-based conservation is part of a pluralistic approach to biodiversity protection, involving networks across various levels of organization. The shift to a multilevel governance approach changes how conservation development is conceived and implemented, using diagnostics within a pluralistic framework rather than a blueprint approach. Biodiversity conservation is a multilevel commons problem, involving global, regional, and local levels. It is complex due to varying ownership and control by states, communities, and private entities. Conservation is a complex system problem, as ecological systems are hierarchically organized and self-organizing. Social systems involved in conservation are also multilevel, requiring different concepts and principles at each level. Community-based conservation is not a simple solution but requires dealing with multiple objectives, using partnerships and deliberative processes, and learning from commons research. The UNDP Equator Initiative (EI) projects illustrate how biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation can be integrated. Community-based conservation includes natural resource or biodiversity protection by, for, and with the local community. It emphasizes coexistence of people and nature, not protectionism. Community-based conservation has evolved from state-based conservation, addressing the limitations of the latter. It involves multiple objectives, partnerships, and learning from commons research. The success of community-based conservation depends on partnerships, deliberative processes, and the ability to deal with multiple objectives. The UNDP EI Guyana case shows how conservation and livelihood objectives can be balanced through partnerships and local empowerment. Partnerships and deliberative processes are essential for successful community-based conservation. They involve multiple stakeholders, including local communities, governments, NGOs, and international organizations. Deliberation is important for addressing multiple and competing objectives, as well as differing understandings of human-ecosystem interactions. It requires systematic multiparty interaction and negotiation. Lessons from commons research highlight the importance of exclusion and subtractability problems in conservation projects. A diagnostic approach is needed to assess these issues and develop effective conservation strategies. The eight principles of sustainable commons, as identified by Ostrom, provide a framework for understanding and managing commons. In conclusion, community-based conservation requires a complexity approach, integrating multiple objectives, partnerships, and deliberative processes. It is part of a pluralistic approach to biodiversity protection, involving multiple levels of governance and institutions. The need for a diagnostic approach is clear, as it allows for the assessment of conservation projects and the development of effective strategies. The integration of biodiversity conservation and livelihood needs is essential for sustainable development.