A clearing house mechanism is usually set up to facilitate access to data, to create transparency, and to point up factors relevant to implementation of a convention. It is a decentralized needs-oriented system that assists decision-making and improves co-ordination on such things as projects. Key elements of the CHM are: information exchange, co-operation, network development, and Transparency, the availability of national, regional, and local data (draft based on www.conservation-development.net)