Deadline: 19-Jun-2026
The GEF/UNDP Small Grants Programme (SGP) is inviting registered non-governmental and non-profit organizations in Kyrgyzstan to submit project proposals supporting Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs). The initiative aims to strengthen community-led biodiversity conservation, sustainable natural resource management, climate resilience, and local participation in achieving global biodiversity goals.
The programme supports local communities in protecting ecosystems, preserving traditional ecological knowledge, improving conservation governance, and increasing the visibility of community-conserved territories through national and international conservation platforms.
About the Programme
The initiative forms part of the second phase of the Global Support Initiative for ICCAs, implemented in 50 countries through the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme.
The programme focuses on:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Community-led conservation initiatives
- Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs)
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Climate resilience
- Natural resource management
- Community participation in conservation
- Gender equality in biodiversity governance
- Traditional ecological knowledge
- Monitoring and evaluation systems
- Biodiversity data and knowledge management
- Capacity building for local communities
The initiative contributes to the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Strengthen community-managed conservation areas
- Support biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration
- Increase local participation in environmental decision-making
- Enhance climate resilience within communities
- Improve access to biodiversity information and knowledge
- Promote gender-inclusive conservation practices
- Strengthen monitoring and reporting systems
- Improve recognition and visibility of ICCAs
- Support sustainable management of natural resources
- Build long-term local conservation capacity
Projects should contribute to both environmental protection and community empowerment.
Geographic Focus Areas
The programme prioritizes key biodiversity landscapes across Kyrgyzstan, including:
- Mountain pasture-forest ecosystems
- Central Tien Shan region
- Inner Tien Shan region
- Naryn region
- Issyk-Kul region
- Wetland ecosystems
- Lake ecosystems
Projects should demonstrate relevance to conservation priorities within these target landscapes.
Key Project Activities
Supported organizations will work closely with local communities and stakeholders.
Activities may include:
- Community consultations
- Stakeholder engagement workshops
- Biodiversity conservation planning
- Identification of conservation challenges and opportunities
- Mapping and documentation of ICCAs
- Development of local conservation databases
- Support for community conservation initiatives
- Capacity-building programmes
- Knowledge-sharing activities
- Conservation monitoring and reporting
Projects should strengthen local ownership of conservation efforts.
Capacity Building and Technical Support
The initiative places strong emphasis on strengthening organizational and community capacities.
Training and support may cover:
- Proposal development
- Project implementation
- Financial and technical reporting
- Communication and outreach strategies
- Monitoring and evaluation methodologies
- Biodiversity management tools
- Community conservation planning
Participants will also receive guidance on internationally recognized conservation tools and methodologies.
Monitoring and Evaluation Tools
The programme supports the use of several conservation and resilience assessment tools, including:
- Self-Strengthening Process methodology
- Resilience and Security Index
- Project Management Tool aligned with biodiversity targets
- Monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- Conservation impact assessment tools
These tools help communities measure progress and improve conservation outcomes.
ICCA Documentation and Global Recognition
A major component of the initiative involves improving the visibility and recognition of community-conserved territories.
Supported activities may include:
- Documentation of ICCAs
- Mapping community conservation areas
- Data collection and validation
- Registration of conserved territories
- Preparation of conservation records
- Biodiversity information management
Communities may receive support to register conservation areas through platforms such as:
- Global ICCA Registry
- Protected Planet
- Mapeo for ICCAs
These efforts contribute to both national and international biodiversity targets.
Project Deliverables
The successful organization will be expected to:
- Support local communities and conservation stakeholders
- Conduct consultations and training activities
- Strengthen monitoring and reporting systems
- Ensure data quality assurance
- Facilitate ICCA documentation and registration
- Produce project reports and knowledge products
- Develop a multilingual documentary video highlighting project achievements
- Organize a stakeholder roundtable at project completion
The roundtable will be used to present findings, recommendations, and future conservation actions.
Funding Information
Key funding details include:
- Maximum grant amount: US$30,000
- Project duration: 24 to 30 months
- Implementation period: 2026–2028
Applicants must provide:
- Matching contributions equal to or greater than the grant amount requested
- Contributions from organizational resources and/or partner organizations
Administrative costs:
- Must not exceed 10% of the requested grant amount
Projects should present realistic budgets and demonstrate financial sustainability.
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)
- Non-profit organizations
- Organizations legally registered in Kyrgyzstan
Preference may be given to organizations with experience in:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Community engagement
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Climate resilience initiatives
- Protected area management
- Indigenous and community-led conservation
- International biodiversity frameworks
Applicants should demonstrate the capacity to manage multi-year conservation projects.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Project proposal
- Detailed work plan
- Project budget
- Organizational profile
- CVs of key team members
- Registration documents
- Organization charter documents
- Bank account information
- Recommendation letters
- Additional supporting documentation as required
Complete applications are essential for eligibility and evaluation.
Why This Programme Matters
Community-led conservation plays a critical role in protecting biodiversity while supporting local livelihoods and preserving traditional ecological knowledge. ICCAs are increasingly recognized as important contributors to global conservation targets and ecosystem resilience.
Through financial support, capacity building, and international recognition opportunities, this programme helps strengthen the role of local communities in biodiversity conservation while contributing to the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply for the programme?
- Registered NGOs and non-profit organizations legally established in Kyrgyzstan.
What is the maximum grant amount?
- Up to US$30,000 per project.
How long can projects last?
- Projects may run for 24 to 30 months between 2026 and 2028.
Is co-financing required?
- Yes. Applicants must provide matching contributions equal to or exceeding the grant amount requested.
What ecosystems are prioritized?
- Mountain pasture-forest ecosystems, wetlands, lake ecosystems, and priority landscapes in Naryn and Issyk-Kul regions.
Can projects support ICCA registration and documentation?
- Yes. The programme specifically supports documenting and registering ICCAs through international conservation platforms.
What experience is preferred for applicants?
- Experience in biodiversity conservation, community engagement, natural resource management, and biodiversity-related initiatives is strongly encouraged.
Conclusion
The GEF/UNDP Small Grants Programme ICCA Initiative provides funding of up to US$30,000 to support community-led biodiversity conservation and sustainable natural resource management in Kyrgyzstan. By strengthening local capacities, improving recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ and Community Conserved Areas, and supporting climate-resilient conservation efforts, the programme contributes to both national conservation priorities and global biodiversity goals.
For more information, visit UNDP.
