Call for Proposals: Small Grants Programme (North Macedonia)

Deadline: 10-Aug-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is offering grants of up to USD 30,000 through the GEF Small Grants Programme to support locally led initiatives addressing biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation in North Macedonia. The programme funds community-based projects focused on conservation, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration, and inclusive environmental governance, with project durations ranging from 12 to 18 months.

Programme Overview

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), implemented by UNDP in North Macedonia, supports innovative community-driven solutions that protect the environment while improving livelihoods and strengthening local governance.

Building on more than 30 years of global experience, the programme empowers local organizations to address pressing environmental challenges through sustainable development approaches that generate both ecological and social benefits.

Projects are expected to create measurable environmental impacts while promoting community participation, social inclusion, and long-term sustainability.

Funding Details

• Maximum Grant Amount: Up to USD 30,000 per project
• Project Duration: 12 to 18 months
• Funding Type: Grant funding
• Implementation Country: North Macedonia
• Target Applicants: Legally registered civil society organizations and community-based organizations

Projects should demonstrate practical, community-led solutions that contribute to environmental protection and sustainable development.

Priority Funding Areas

The programme supports projects under several key environmental and sustainable development themes.

Biodiversity Conservation and Ecosystem Protection

Projects under this theme should focus on protecting and restoring ecosystems while improving community stewardship of natural resources.

Eligible activities may include:

• Conservation of threatened ecosystems
• Biodiversity protection initiatives
• Habitat restoration
• Conservation of globally significant species
• Community-based natural resource management
• Ecosystem resilience building
• Sustainable ecosystem governance
• Protection of forests, wetlands, rivers, and other critical habitats

Projects should balance conservation outcomes with local community benefits.

Climate Action and Low-Carbon Energy Solutions

The programme supports initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote sustainable energy use.

Examples include:

• Renewable energy deployment
• Solar energy solutions
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Community energy projects
• Clean energy access initiatives
• Energy-saving technologies
• Sustainable energy systems for schools and public institutions

Projects should contribute to climate mitigation and support national climate goals.

Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security

Funding is available for projects that improve environmental sustainability within food production systems.

Supported activities may include:

• Sustainable farming practices
• Climate-smart agriculture
• Sustainable fisheries management
• Food security initiatives
• Livelihood diversification
• Soil conservation
• Sustainable land management
• Restoration of degraded agricultural lands
• Development of sustainable value chains

Projects should strengthen both environmental sustainability and local economic resilience.

Key Cross-Cutting Requirements

All funded projects must integrate several mandatory components.

Social Inclusion

Projects must ensure meaningful participation of:

• Women
• Youth
• Persons with disabilities
• Vulnerable and marginalized groups

Applicants should demonstrate how project activities promote equitable participation and benefits.

Knowledge Management

Projects must include activities that:

• Document lessons learned
• Share best practices
• Promote community learning
• Disseminate project results
• Support replication of successful approaches

Knowledge-sharing should contribute to broader environmental awareness and action.

Monitoring and Evaluation

All projects must establish mechanisms to:

• Track progress
• Measure environmental impacts
• Assess project outcomes
• Collect evidence of success
• Support adaptive management

Applicants should define clear indicators and measurable results.

Why This Programme Matters

North Macedonia faces growing environmental pressures related to biodiversity loss, climate change, land degradation, and unsustainable resource use.

Community-based environmental action plays a critical role in addressing these challenges because local communities often possess valuable knowledge, direct experience, and long-term commitment to protecting natural resources.

This programme helps:

• Protect biodiversity and ecosystems
• Reduce environmental degradation
• Promote sustainable livelihoods
• Strengthen local governance
• Increase climate resilience
• Support renewable energy adoption
• Improve food security
• Foster inclusive environmental decision-making

By supporting locally led solutions, the programme creates lasting environmental and social benefits.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

• Civil society organizations (CSOs)
• Community-based organizations (CBOs)

Organizations must:

• Be legally registered in North Macedonia
• Have the capacity to implement project activities
• Demonstrate sound organizational management
• Be able to manage grant funds responsibly
• Comply with programme reporting requirements

Only legally registered organizations are eligible to receive funding.

What Activities Can Be Funded?

The programme may support:

• Community conservation initiatives
• Habitat restoration projects
• Biodiversity monitoring activities
• Renewable energy installations
• Energy efficiency improvements
• Sustainable agriculture demonstrations
• Community training and capacity-building
• Environmental education activities
• Sustainable livelihood initiatives
• Restoration of degraded lands
• Community governance systems
• Awareness-raising campaigns
• Monitoring and evaluation activities
• Knowledge-sharing and dissemination efforts

Activities should directly contribute to environmental sustainability and community development objectives.

How the Programme Works

The programme funds local organizations that design and implement environmental projects aligned with one of the priority themes.

Successful projects are expected to:

1. Identify a local environmental challenge.
2. Develop a community-driven solution.
3. Engage local stakeholders and beneficiaries.
4. Implement project activities within 12–18 months.
5. Monitor environmental and social impacts.
6. Document lessons learned and results.
7. Share knowledge with broader communities and stakeholders.

Projects should demonstrate sustainability beyond the grant period.

How to Apply

Organizations should prepare a project proposal that clearly outlines:

Project Objectives

• Environmental problem being addressed
• Proposed solution
• Expected outcomes
• Community benefits

Project Activities

• Detailed implementation plan
• Timeline and milestones
• Stakeholder engagement strategy
• Sustainability measures

Budget

• Itemized project costs
• Resource allocation
• Cost justification

Monitoring Framework

• Indicators
• Data collection methods
• Evaluation approach

Applicants should clearly demonstrate environmental impact, community participation, and long-term sustainability.

Tips for a Strong Application

• Focus on clearly defined environmental challenges.
• Demonstrate strong community involvement.
• Include measurable environmental outcomes.
• Integrate social inclusion throughout the project.
• Present realistic timelines and budgets.
• Show potential for long-term impact.
• Include knowledge-sharing and learning components.
• Align activities with programme priorities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting projects without clear environmental benefits.
• Weak community participation plans.
• Lack of measurable indicators.
• Overly ambitious activities for the available budget.
• Insufficient sustainability planning.
• Ignoring social inclusion requirements.
• Limited monitoring and evaluation frameworks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How much funding is available per project?

Organizations can apply for grants of up to USD 30,000.

How long can projects run?

Approved projects may have a duration of 12 to 18 months.

Who can apply?

Legally registered civil society organizations and community-based organizations in North Macedonia.

What environmental themes are supported?

The programme supports biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, fisheries, food security, and climate action.

Is social inclusion required?

Yes. All projects must ensure meaningful participation of women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Can renewable energy projects be funded?

Yes. Renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives are among the programme’s priority funding areas.

Are monitoring and reporting required?

Yes. Projects must include monitoring, evaluation, and knowledge management activities to demonstrate results and share lessons learned.

Conclusion

The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme in North Macedonia provides an important funding opportunity for community organizations working to address biodiversity loss, climate change, and environmental degradation. With grants of up to USD 30,000, the programme supports practical, locally driven solutions that protect ecosystems, promote sustainable livelihoods, strengthen climate resilience, and foster inclusive environmental governance. Organizations with strong community engagement, measurable environmental outcomes, and sustainable approaches are well-positioned to benefit from this funding opportunity.

For more information, visit UNDP.