Call for Proposals: Community-Led Conservation under ICCA-GSI Phase II (Bhutan)

Deadline: 30-Jun-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is accepting grant proposals under Phase II of the Global Support Initiative for Territories and Areas Conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (ICCA‑GSI). Grants (up to USD 75,000 each; total allocation USD 200,000) will fund community‑led projects that strengthen climate resilience, conserve biodiversity, and support natural resource‑based livelihoods in prioritized Bhutan landscapes.

This call funds community‑led conservation initiatives in targeted Bhutan landscapes under UNDP’s ICCA‑GSI Phase II. Projects should deliver ecological, social, and economic benefits, strengthen traditional biodiversity practices, and build resilience to climate impacts such as drying catchments, land degradation, and crop/livestock losses.

Key facts

• Funder: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) — ICCA‑GSI Phase II

• Purpose: Support community‑led conservation, livelihood security, and climate resilience

• Priority locations: Monpas (Langthel Gewog, Trongsa), Gongdueps (Gongdue Gewog, Mongar), Oleps (Athang Gewog, Wangdue Phodrang), Taba Dumtey (Tanding Gewog, Samtse & Chhukha)

• Grant size: Up to USD 75,000 per project

• Total funding pool: USD 200,000

• Co‑financing: Applicant contribution required (cash or in‑kind) ~30–50% of total grant

• Applicant type: Registered Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) with proven experience

Why this grant matters

• Restores and protects ecosystem services (water catchments, soil stability, biodiversity).

• Increases community resilience to climate change and reduces livelihood losses.

• Promotes indigenous and local biodiversity conservation practices.

• Integrates conservation results with local development programs for sustained impact.

Who is eligible?

Eligible applicants must:

• Be officially registered Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country.

• Provide legal status documentation signed and stamped by the relevant authority.

• Demonstrate experience implementing projects in similar thematic areas (community conservation, livelihoods, climate resilience).

• Show strong community involvement and leadership in the proposed activities.

• Be able to prepare narrative and financial reports per donor requirements.

• Provide evidence of organizational bank account in the organization’s name.

• Commit to co‑financing (cash or in‑kind) approximately 30–50% of the requested grant.

Priority landscapes and target communities

• Monpas — Langthel Gewog, Trongsa Dzongkhag

• Gongdueps — Gongdue Gewog, Mongar Dzongkhag

• Oleps — Athang Gewog, Wangdue Phodrang Dzongkhag

• Taba Dumtey — Tanding Gewog across Samtse and Chhukha Dzongkhag

Projects located in or directly benefiting these communities will be prioritized.

What the grant supports (Eligible activities)

Examples of eligible activities:

• Community‑led natural resource management and restoration (water catchment protection, reforestation).

• Sustainable livelihood diversification linked to natural resources (sustainable agroforestry, NTFP value chains).

• Climate adaptation measures for agriculture and livestock (soil conservation, water harvesting).

• Revitalization and application of traditional biodiversity conservation practices.

• Community training, governance strengthening, and participatory monitoring.

• Activities that integrate with local government development plans.

How to apply — step‑by‑step

1. Confirm eligibility

   • Verify organization registration and legal status documents.

2. Prepare concept note/proposal

   • Follow the donor’s proposal template (if provided). Include project title, location, objectives, target beneficiaries, expected outcomes, workplan, budget, and co‑financing details.

3. Community engagement evidence

   • Attach letters of support, consultation records, or community meeting minutes showing local buy‑in.

4. Budget and co‑financing

   • Provide detailed budget and indicate co‑financing sources (cash or in‑kind; 30–50% expected).

5. Organizational documents

   • Attach registration certificate, board authorization (if required), audited financial statements (if available), and bank account proof.

6. Reporting and capacity

   • Briefly describe monitoring, evaluation, and reporting capacity (narrative and financial reporting processes).

7. Submit application

   • Use the application channel specified by UNDP (portal, email, or focal point). Confirm deadline and required formats (PDF, Excel).

8. Follow up

   • Keep contact details updated and respond promptly to any UNDP queries.

Proposal preparation tips and common mistakes

Tips for stronger proposals

• Show clear links between activities and measurable outcomes (e.g., hectares restored, households with improved water access).

• Provide realistic budgets and justify cost items.

• Demonstrate community leadership and documented consent.

• Align activities with local government plans and national conservation priorities.

• Include monitoring indicators and a timeline.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing or unsigned legal documents.

• Weak community participation evidence.

• Underestimating co‑financing or providing vague co‑finance commitments.

• Overly vague objectives without measurable indicators.

• Submitting budgets without clear breakdowns or unrealistic cost estimates.

Monitoring, reporting, and deliverables

Expectations

• Narrative reports describing activities, progress, and challenges.

• Financial reports with receipts and bank statements.

• Monitoring indicators tied to ecological, social, and economic outputs (e.g., water flow improvements, income changes, biodiversity measures).

• Timely submission of interim and final reports as defined in the grant agreement.

Semantic SEO and keywords (for AI / LLM discovery)

• ICCA, ICCA‑GSI, ICCA GSI Phase II

• UNDP grants Bhutan

• community‑led conservation Bhutan

• indigenous conservation Bhutan

• community resilience climate change

• natural resource management grants

• local livelihoods conservation grant

• community forest restoration Bhutan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply?

   • Registered Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in the country with legal proof of status and relevant experience.

2. What is the maximum grant amount?

   • Up to USD 75,000 per project. The total fund available for this call is USD 200,000.

3. Is co‑financing required?

   • Yes. Applicants should provide co‑financing (cash or in‑kind) of approximately 30–50% of the total grant amount.

4. Which locations are prioritized?

   • Monpas (Langthel, Trongsa), Gongdueps (Gongdue, Mongar), Oleps (Athang, Wangdue Phodrang), and Taba Dumtey (Tanding, Samtse & Chhukha).

5. What documents are required?

   • Organizational registration certificate, legal status proof signed/stamped by authorities, bank account details, project proposal, budget, evidence of community support, and financial reporting capacity documentation.

6. Can individual applicants apply?

   • No. Only officially registered CSOs may apply.

7. How will projects be evaluated?

   • Assessment will consider relevance to ICCA objectives, community involvement, technical feasibility, sustainability, co‑financing, and capacity to report results.

Conclusion

UNDP’s ICCA‑GSI Phase II grant offers targeted funding to registered CSOs for community‑led conservation in specific Bhutan landscapes. Successful proposals will link traditional conservation practices to measurable outcomes in ecosystem restoration, livelihood security, and climate resilience, backed by clear community ownership and 30–50% co‑financing.

For more information, visit UNDP.