Call for Proposals: Biodiversity Credit Program for Indigenous Communities (Indonesia)

Deadline: 17-Jun-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), is seeking proposals to develop and pilot biodiversity credit mechanisms within Indigenous community landscapes in Southwest Papua, Indonesia. The initiative provides funding of USD 60,000 per site to support biodiversity baseline assessments, Indigenous community engagement, FPIC implementation, biodiversity credit design, and knowledge generation that can inform future biodiversity financing policies and conservation investments.

Overview

The Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of Indonesia, is launching a pilot initiative to explore biodiversity credit development in Indigenous-managed landscapes.

The project aims to test innovative biodiversity financing mechanisms that can generate sustainable funding for conservation while supporting Indigenous communities and protecting ecologically significant landscapes.

The pilot will focus on developing the technical, social, environmental, and governance foundations required for future biodiversity credit systems that can attract investment into biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration.

Funding Information

• Funding amount: USD 60,000 per site
• Funding source: UNDP Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)
• Project duration: 12 months
• Implementation period: June 2026 – May 2027
• Geographic focus: Konda Sub-district, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, Indonesia

The selected organization will receive funding to undertake assessments, stakeholder engagement, biodiversity credit design activities, and knowledge generation outputs.

Background

Indonesia is recognized as one of the world’s most biodiverse countries, containing globally important ecosystems and species-rich landscapes.

Despite its ecological significance, the country continues to face challenges including:

• Biodiversity loss
• Ecosystem degradation
• Deforestation
• Land-use change
• Conservation funding gaps
• Increasing pressure from development activities

To address these challenges, the Government of Indonesia, with support from BIOFIN, is promoting innovative biodiversity financing mechanisms designed to mobilize additional resources for conservation.

Biodiversity credits are being explored as a potential market-based tool that rewards measurable biodiversity conservation outcomes while supporting sustainable community development.

Project Location

The pilot project will be implemented in the Konda Sub-district of South Sorong Regency in Southwest Papua.

Target villages include:

• Wamargege
• Konda
• Nakna
• Bariat
• Manelek

The landscape contains:

• Lowland tropical forests
• Peatland ecosystems
• Traditional sago landscapes
• High-value wildlife habitats
• Indigenous-managed customary territories

The area holds both ecological and cultural significance and has been sustainably managed for generations through Indigenous governance systems.

What Are Biodiversity Credits?

Biodiversity credits are emerging environmental finance instruments that generate financial value from verified biodiversity conservation outcomes.

These mechanisms are designed to:

• Incentivize biodiversity protection
• Mobilize private and public conservation finance
• Support Indigenous and local community stewardship
• Reward ecosystem restoration efforts
• Create sustainable conservation funding streams
• Strengthen long-term environmental management

The pilot project will help determine how biodiversity credits can be developed and implemented within Indigenous community landscapes in Indonesia.

Key Project Objectives

The initiative seeks to:

• Develop biodiversity credit models for Indigenous territories
• Generate biodiversity baseline data
• Strengthen Indigenous participation in conservation finance
• Support community-led natural resource management
• Integrate social inclusion and gender considerations
• Establish monitoring and verification systems
• Produce knowledge products for future scaling
• Inform biodiversity financing policy development

The project will also contribute to broader efforts to close Indonesia’s biodiversity finance gap.

Scope of Work

The selected organization will undertake several key activities.

Inception and Planning

Activities include:

• Preparing an inception report
• Developing implementation methodologies
• Defining work plans and timelines
• Conducting stakeholder mapping
• Establishing project coordination mechanisms

Project Design Document Development

The organization will prepare a comprehensive Project Design Document (PDD) that includes:

• Biodiversity credit development framework
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes
• Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) analysis
• Social safeguards and risk assessments
• Stakeholder engagement strategies
• Community participation mechanisms

Biodiversity Baseline Assessment

The selected organization will conduct biodiversity assessments to:

• Establish baseline ecological conditions
• Identify key species and habitats
• Quantify biodiversity values
• Support biodiversity credit calculations
• Generate data for future monitoring activities

Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) System Design

Activities include:

• Developing monitoring indicators
• Establishing reporting frameworks
• Designing biodiversity verification approaches
• Supporting future credit integrity and transparency

Knowledge Product Development

The project will generate lessons and recommendations that support:

• Future biodiversity credit initiatives
• Biodiversity finance policy development
• Scaling of successful models
• Replication in other Indigenous landscapes

Priority Technical Themes

Projects should demonstrate expertise in:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Biodiversity finance
• Biodiversity credit development
• Community-based conservation
• Indigenous land management
• Environmental baseline assessments
• Ecosystem monitoring
• Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
• Social safeguards
• Stakeholder engagement
• Natural resource governance
• Landscape conservation

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
• Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
• Academic institutions
• Research organizations with relevant expertise

Applicants must demonstrate proven experience in:

• Biodiversity conservation initiatives
• Community-based natural resource management
• Engagement with Indigenous Peoples
• Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) implementation
• Biodiversity and/or carbon credit development
• Environmental baseline studies
• Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV) systems
• Multi-stakeholder collaboration

Organizations should have the technical and operational capacity to implement field-based activities within Indigenous landscapes.

Why This Initiative Matters

Indonesia faces one of the world’s largest biodiversity financing gaps despite its globally significant ecosystems.

This pilot is important because it:

• Tests innovative biodiversity finance mechanisms
• Supports Indigenous stewardship of ecosystems
• Generates sustainable conservation funding models
• Strengthens community rights and participation
• Produces evidence for future policy development
• Promotes inclusive conservation approaches
• Supports long-term ecosystem protection

The project also provides an opportunity to integrate conservation objectives with community development priorities.

How to Apply

Interested organizations should:

• Review the project objectives and eligibility requirements.
• Assess organizational capacity and technical expertise.
• Develop a methodology for biodiversity credit development.
• Prepare an implementation approach for FPIC and GESI integration.
• Design a biodiversity baseline assessment framework.
• Demonstrate experience with MRV systems and conservation finance.
• Prepare a detailed work plan and budget.
• Submit a complete proposal according to UNDP requirements.

Applicants should clearly explain:

• Relevant organizational experience
• Technical expertise of the project team
• Approach to Indigenous engagement
• Biodiversity assessment methodology
• Risk management measures
• Expected outputs and outcomes
• Knowledge-sharing plans

Tips for a Strong Application

Competitive proposals typically:

• Demonstrate extensive experience with Indigenous communities
• Present a robust FPIC methodology
• Show expertise in biodiversity finance instruments
• Include scientifically sound biodiversity assessment methods
• Integrate gender and social inclusion considerations
• Provide realistic implementation timelines
• Demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement strategies
• Include practical MRV frameworks

Projects that balance technical rigor with community participation are likely to be more competitive.

Common Application Mistakes

Common weaknesses include:

• Limited experience with Indigenous engagement
• Weak FPIC approaches
• Insufficient biodiversity assessment methodology
• Lack of biodiversity credit expertise
• Poor integration of GESI considerations
• Inadequate stakeholder consultation plans
• Weak monitoring and verification frameworks
• Unrealistic implementation schedules

Applicants should ensure both environmental and social dimensions are fully addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the total funding available?

The initiative provides USD 60,000 per site for project implementation.

Where will the pilot project be implemented?

The project will be conducted in Konda Sub-district, South Sorong Regency, Southwest Papua, covering Wamargege, Konda, Nakna, Bariat, and Manelek villages.

Who can apply?

Civil Society Organizations, NGOs, academic institutions, and qualified research organizations with relevant expertise may apply.

What are biodiversity credits?

Biodiversity credits are financing mechanisms that generate value from verified biodiversity conservation outcomes and help mobilize resources for ecosystem protection.

Is experience with Indigenous Peoples required?

Yes. Applicants must demonstrate experience working with Indigenous communities and implementing Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC) processes.

What is the project duration?

The project will run for 12 months from June 2026 through May 2027.

What are the main project deliverables?

Key deliverables include an inception report, Project Design Document, FPIC and GESI assessments, biodiversity baseline assessment, MRV framework, final Project Design Document, and a knowledge product.

Conclusion

The UNDP BIOFIN Biodiversity Credit Development Pilot represents an important opportunity to advance innovative biodiversity financing in Indonesia while strengthening Indigenous-led conservation efforts. Through funding of USD 60,000 per site, the initiative will generate critical knowledge, biodiversity data, and practical models for biodiversity credit development that can support future conservation investments, policy development, and sustainable management of ecologically significant Indigenous landscapes in Southwest Papua.

For more information, visit UNDP.