Deadline: 14-May-2026
The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme Indonesia has launched ICCA-GSI Phase 2 to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities in protecting conserved territories and biodiversity in Indonesia. The programme provides up to USD 150,000 per project for community-based conservation, governance strengthening, and recognition of Indigenous and community conserved areas (ICCAs) and OECMs over a 12-month period.
Overview of the Programme
The ICCA-GSI Phase 2 Grant Programme is implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the GEF Small Grants Programme in Indonesia. It supports Indigenous Peoples’ organizations, civil society groups, and local communities in strengthening conservation governance and protecting biodiversity-rich territories.
The initiative focuses on empowering communities to manage ecosystems sustainably while integrating traditional knowledge systems into biodiversity conservation frameworks.
Key Focus Areas
The programme supports a wide range of community-led conservation and governance activities.
Key focus areas include:
- Recognition and protection of Indigenous and community-conserved territories (ICCAs)
- Strengthening community-based conservation governance systems
- Biodiversity conservation using Indigenous and local knowledge
- Participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in biodiversity governance
- Expansion of ICCAs and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)
- Inclusive conservation governance and decision-making
- Integration of traditional knowledge into conservation planning
- Sustainable livelihoods linked to biodiversity protection
- Implementation of Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC)
- Community data sovereignty and rights-based approaches
- Contribution to Global Biodiversity Framework Targets 3, 21, 22, and 23
Programme Objectives
The initiative is designed to strengthen community leadership in biodiversity conservation and environmental governance.
Key objectives include:
- Strengthening recognition of community-managed conservation areas
- Enhancing participatory governance in biodiversity protection
- Supporting Indigenous knowledge systems in conservation practices
- Improving sustainable livelihood opportunities linked to ecosystems
- Strengthening national biodiversity strategy implementation
- Expanding formal recognition of ICCAs and OECMs
- Ensuring inclusive participation of women, youth, and vulnerable groups
Geographic Focus Areas
The programme prioritizes biodiversity-rich landscapes across Indonesia.
Priority areas include:
- Bodri Watershed (Central Java)
- Balantieng Watershed (South Sulawesi)
- Nantu Wildlife Reserve (Gorontalo)
- Sabu Raijua Island (East Nusa Tenggara)
- Additional potential biodiversity-rich regions across Indonesia
Expected Outputs
Selected projects are expected to deliver measurable conservation and governance outcomes.
Key outputs include:
- Participatory mapping of Indigenous and community territories
- Biodiversity profiling and ecosystem documentation
- Governance and institutional documentation of ICCAs
- Formal submissions supporting ICCA/OECM recognition
- Strengthened community-level governance mechanisms
- Improved coordination among Indigenous Peoples, women, and youth groups
- Enhanced local conservation decision-making systems
Funding Details
The programme provides structured financial support for community conservation projects.
- Maximum grant per project: USD 150,000
- Implementation period: up to 12 months
- Project timeline: June 2026 to June 2027
- Eligible cost categories include:
- Programme personnel and staffing
- Field facilitation and community engagement
- Community meetings and workshops
- Travel and field operations
- Capacity building and training activities
- Communication and knowledge management
- Monitoring, evaluation, and reporting
- Operational and administrative support costs
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to legally registered organizations in Indonesia working on conservation and community development.
Eligible applicants include:
- Civil society organizations
- Indigenous Peoples’ organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Local conservation groups
Applicant requirements:
- Must be legally incorporated in Indonesia
- Must have a valid local bank account in the organization’s name
- Must demonstrate strong governance and financial accountability
- Must have experience in community conservation or ICCA-related work (preferred)
Preference is given to:
- Organizations with prior GEF-SGP Indonesia experience
- Groups working in priority landscapes
- Organizations engaged in ICCA/AKKM registration processes
- Community empowerment initiatives involving Indigenous Peoples
Programme Alignment and Global Frameworks
The initiative is aligned with international biodiversity and climate goals.
It contributes to:
- Global Biodiversity Framework implementation
- Indonesia’s Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan 2025–2045
- Recognition of ICCAs and OECMs
- Sustainable ecosystem governance models
- Community-based climate and biodiversity action
Importance of the Programme
The ICCA-GSI Phase 2 Grant Programme plays a key role in:
- Protecting biodiversity through community-led conservation
- Strengthening Indigenous rights and governance systems
- Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into conservation policy
- Expanding recognition of community-managed protected areas
- Supporting sustainable livelihoods linked to ecosystems
- Enhancing inclusive participation in environmental decision-making
Conclusion
The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme ICCA-GSI Phase 2 is a targeted funding initiative supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities in Indonesia to protect biodiversity and strengthen conservation governance. By funding community-led projects, it advances global biodiversity goals while reinforcing Indigenous rights, traditional knowledge systems, and sustainable ecosystem management.
For more information, visit UNDP.