Deadline: 21-Jun-2026
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), has launched a 2-in-1 Call for Proposals under Phase 2 of the Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories – Global Support Initiative (ICCA-GSI).
The funding opportunity supports biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and the strengthening of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs). Through two separate grant components, the initiative aims to improve community-led conservation, governance, and participation while contributing to the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
About the ICCA-GSI Programme
The ICCA-GSI has been supporting territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities since 2014. The initiative promotes recognition, effective governance, and long-term sustainability of ICCAs while strengthening the role of local communities in biodiversity conservation.
Phase 2 builds on previous achievements and seeks to enhance biodiversity protection, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods across 50 countries by 2028.
Focus Areas
Projects may focus on:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Climate change resilience
- Recognition and support of ICCAs
- Community-based conservation
- Equitable governance
- Access to biodiversity-related information and knowledge
- Gender equality
- Inclusive decision-making
- Protection of environmental human rights defenders
- Capacity building for Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Community resilience initiatives
Purpose of the Programme
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen recognition of ICCAs
- Improve biodiversity conservation outcomes
- Enhance climate resilience
- Support sustainable livelihoods
- Increase participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities
- Promote inclusive governance systems
- Improve access to biodiversity knowledge
- Strengthen local conservation capacities
- Support implementation of global biodiversity commitments
Global Biodiversity Framework Alignment
Projects should contribute to the implementation of:
- GBF Target 3
- GBF Target 21
- GBF Target 22
- GBF Target 23
The programme also contributes to:
- Global Biodiversity Framework goals
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Community-led conservation efforts
- Inclusive environmental governance
Grant Components
The funding opportunity consists of two separate calls.
Catalytic NGO Grant
The Catalytic NGO component seeks a well-established local organization committed to:
- ICCAs
- Indigenous Peoples’ rights
- Biodiversity conservation
- Community empowerment
The selected organization will:
- Deliver training on the Global ICCA Registry
- Deliver training on the Protected Planet Platform
- Deliver training on Mapeo for ICCAs
- Support self-strengthening processes among grantees
- Conduct monitoring and evaluation activities
- Assist with the Resilience and Security Index
- Contribute to knowledge management products
- Prepare end-of-project reports
Funding details include:
- Maximum grant amount of USD 50,000
- Project duration of 30 months
Regular Grants
Regular Grants support local civil society organizations working in or near ICCAs.
Projects should:
- Strengthen governance and management of ICCAs
- Empower Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
- Improve biodiversity conservation
- Increase climate resilience
- Support sustainable livelihoods
- Promote inclusive participation
Funding Information
Regular Grant funding includes:
Community-Based Organizations, Youth Groups, Women’s Groups, and Persons with Disabilities Groups
- Grants of up to USD 30,000
Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Grants of up to USD 50,000
Catalytic NGO Component
- Maximum grant amount of USD 50,000
- Implementation period of 30 months
Eligible Applicants
Eligible applicants for the Catalytic NGO component include:
- Well-established local NGOs
- Organizations working on Indigenous Peoples’ issues
- Biodiversity conservation organizations
- Organizations committed to ICCAs
Eligible applicants for Regular Grants include:
- Duly registered local civil society organizations
- Community-based organizations
- Youth groups
- Women’s groups
- Persons with disabilities groups
- Local NGOs working in or near ICCAs
Expected Results
Funded projects are expected to contribute to:
- Enhanced biodiversity conservation
- Improved climate resilience
- Strengthened sustainable livelihoods
- Better governance of ICCAs
- Increased community participation
- Improved recognition of Indigenous Peoples’ conservation efforts
- Greater gender equality
- Stronger local institutions and capacities
Importance of the Programme
The ICCA-GSI recognizes Indigenous Peoples and local communities as key custodians of biodiversity and natural resources.
Key benefits include:
- Strengthening community-led conservation
- Supporting traditional knowledge systems
- Enhancing climate adaptation efforts
- Promoting equitable governance
- Increasing protection of environmental defenders
- Supporting sustainable development
- Advancing global biodiversity commitments
- Improving community resilience
Application Tips
Strong applications typically demonstrate:
- Clear links to ICCA conservation efforts
- Strong community participation approaches
- Alignment with GBF Targets 3, 21, 22, and 23
- Measurable biodiversity outcomes
- Sustainable livelihood benefits
- Inclusive governance mechanisms
- Gender-responsive approaches
- Strong organizational capacity
Common Application Mistakes
Applications may be weakened by:
- Weak connection to ICCAs
- Limited community participation
- Unclear biodiversity conservation outcomes
- Failure to align with GBF targets
- Insufficient implementation planning
- Weak monitoring and evaluation frameworks
- Limited inclusion of women and marginalized groups
- Incomplete organizational information
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ICCA-GSI Programme?
- A global initiative supporting Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories.
- A programme focused on biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience.
How many grant components are available?
- Two grant components.
- A Catalytic NGO Grant.
- Regular Grants for local civil society organizations and community groups.
How much funding is available for the Catalytic NGO component?
- Up to USD 50,000.
- Project implementation period of 30 months.
How much funding is available under the Regular Grants component?
- Up to USD 30,000 for community-based organizations, youth groups, women’s groups, and persons with disabilities groups.
- Up to USD 50,000 for NGOs.
Who can apply for Regular Grants?
- Duly registered local civil society organizations.
- Community-based organizations.
- Youth groups.
- Women’s groups.
- Persons with disabilities groups.
- NGOs working in or near ICCAs.
What thematic areas are supported?
- Biodiversity conservation.
- Climate resilience.
- Sustainable livelihoods.
- Equitable governance.
- Gender equality.
- Community participation.
- Capacity building for Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
What Global Biodiversity Framework targets must projects support?
- Target 3.
- Target 21.
- Target 22.
- Target 23.
Conclusion
The UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme’s ICCA-GSI Phase 2 Call for Proposals provides important funding opportunities for organizations working to strengthen Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories. Through grants of up to USD 50,000, the initiative supports biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and inclusive governance while advancing global biodiversity targets and empowering local communities to lead conservation efforts.
For more information, visit UNDP.
