Call for Proposals: GEF Small Grants Programme Eighth Operational Phase (Tranche 1) – Gambia

Deadline: 05-Jun-2026

The Eighth Operational Phase (OP8) of the GEF Small Grants Programme supports local organizations in The Gambia working on environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The programme aims to:

• Strengthen community-led environmental action
• Improve local livelihoods
• Promote biodiversity conservation
• Support climate resilience
• Encourage sustainable resource management
• Build institutional and community capacity

The OP8 implementation period runs from:

• 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2028

The initiative aligns with:

• National environmental priorities
• UNDP strategic objectives
• Global environmental sustainability goals

Programme Focus Areas

The programme supports projects related to:

• Community-based ecosystem conservation
• Protection of threatened species
• Sustainable agriculture
• Sustainable fisheries
• Food security
• Low-carbon energy access
• Climate change mitigation
• Land degradation prevention
• International waters protection
• Chemicals and waste management
• Social inclusion
• Knowledge management
• Monitoring and evaluation

Projects should combine environmental benefits with community development outcomes.

Geographic Priority Areas

The OP8 Country Programme Strategy prioritizes communities around:

• Kiang West National Park
• Jokadou National Park
• Bao Bolong Wetland Reserve

Additional support may also be provided to eligible projects in:

• Other regions of The Gambia

Priority is given to landscape and seascape approaches that strengthen ecosystem resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

Programme Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Support community-based environmental management
• Strengthen local organizational capacity
• Promote sustainable livelihoods
• Encourage innovation and scalable environmental solutions
• Improve knowledge sharing and collaboration
• Support multi-stakeholder environmental governance

The programme also seeks to:

• Enhance long-term environmental sustainability
• Increase local participation in conservation
• Improve climate resilience at community level

Funding Details

Funding is available for:

• Innovative community-led projects
• Scalable environmental initiatives
• Sustainable development interventions

Maximum Grant Amount

Applicants may request up to:

• USD 50,000

Project Duration

Projects must not exceed:

• 24 months

Co-Financing Requirement

Applicants must provide:

• Cash co-financing
• In-kind contributions
• Or a combination of both

The co-financing amount must be:

• Equal to or greater than the requested grant amount

Strong co-financing plans demonstrate organizational commitment and project sustainability.

Eligible Applicants

Eligible applicants include registered non-profit organizations operating in The Gambia, including:

• Civil society organizations (CSOs)
• Community-based organizations (CBOs)
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
• Foundations
• Academic institutions

Applicants must:

• Be legally registered
• Demonstrate community-level development experience
• Have qualified personnel to manage the project
• Include finance or accounting staff

Organizations should show capacity to implement and monitor environmental projects effectively.

Gender and Social Inclusion Requirements

All proposals must include:

• Gender-responsive approaches
• Social inclusion strategies

Projects should specifically target:

• Women
• Youth
• People with disabilities

The programme emphasizes equitable participation and inclusive community development.

Environmental and Social Safeguards

All projects will undergo:

• UNDP social and environmental screening

Projects involving the following will not be supported:

• Resettlement activities
• Significant environmental harm
• Prohibited or high-risk activities

Applicants must demonstrate environmentally responsible and socially safe implementation plans.

Types of Activities Supported

Eligible activities may include:

• Community conservation projects
• Sustainable farming initiatives
• Fisheries management programmes
• Renewable energy access solutions
• Community climate adaptation activities
• Waste management systems
• Environmental awareness campaigns
• Capacity-building and training
• Biodiversity protection initiatives
• Ecosystem restoration projects

Projects should demonstrate measurable environmental and community impact.

Innovation and Scaling Potential

The programme encourages:

• Innovative community solutions
• Scalable environmental models
• Replicable approaches
• Multi-stakeholder partnerships

Projects with strong potential for:

• Long-term sustainability
• Replication in other communities
• Policy influence
• Community ownership

are especially encouraged.

Why This Programme Matters

Communities in The Gambia face increasing environmental challenges related to:

• Climate change
• Biodiversity loss
• Land degradation
• Unsustainable resource use
• Food insecurity

The programme supports locally driven solutions that:

• Strengthen resilience
• Protect ecosystems
• Improve livelihoods
• Promote sustainable development

Community-based environmental action is considered essential for long-term ecological sustainability and poverty reduction.

How to Prepare a Strong Proposal

Applicants should:

• Clearly define environmental challenges
• Demonstrate strong community participation
• Include measurable environmental outcomes
• Present realistic implementation plans
• Show organizational capacity and experience
• Include strong gender and inclusion strategies
• Provide detailed co-financing information
• Explain long-term sustainability and scaling potential

Strong proposals often combine:

• Environmental impact
• Livelihood improvement
• Community ownership
• Innovation
• Inclusive participation

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

• Weak community engagement plans
• Incomplete co-financing details
• Unrealistic budgets or timelines
• Limited environmental impact
• Lack of inclusion strategies
• Poor monitoring and evaluation frameworks
• Activities involving environmental or social risks prohibited by UNDP

Applications with clear implementation strategies and measurable outcomes are generally more competitive.

How the Application Process Works

Organizations typically need to:

• Develop a project proposal
• Define environmental and community objectives
• Prepare a detailed budget
• Demonstrate co-financing commitments
• Present implementation and monitoring plans
• Complete social and environmental safeguards documentation
• Submit required registration and organizational documents

Projects are reviewed based on:

• Environmental relevance
• Community impact
• Innovation
• Feasibility
• Organizational capacity

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme OP8?

It is a funding initiative supporting community-led environmental and sustainable development projects in The Gambia.

What is the maximum grant amount?

Applicants may request up to:

• USD 50,000

How long can projects last?

Projects must not exceed:

• 24 months

Which sectors and themes are supported?

The programme supports:

• Biodiversity conservation
• Sustainable agriculture
• Fisheries
• Climate action
• Renewable energy
• Waste management
• Environmental resilience

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include:

• NGOs
• CBOs
• CSOs
• Foundations
• Academic institutions in The Gambia

Is co-financing required?

Yes. Applicants must provide co-financing equal to or greater than the requested grant amount.

What inclusion requirements apply?

All projects must include gender-responsive and socially inclusive approaches targeting women, youth, and people with disabilities.

Conclusion

The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme OP8 provides important funding opportunities for community-led environmental and sustainable development initiatives in The Gambia. By supporting biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, climate resilience, and inclusive community participation, the programme aims to strengthen both environmental protection and local development outcomes.

Organizations with strong community engagement experience, innovative environmental solutions, and inclusive implementation approaches are well-positioned to contribute meaningful impact through this funding opportunity.

For more information, visit UNDP.