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RFAs: Strengthening Climate Resilience and Community Mobilization (India)

Deadline: 27-Mar-2026

The Green Climate Fund (GCF)-funded Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC) project is seeking experienced non-profit organizations to support climate resilience work in coastal Maharashtra, India. Eligible NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, and other non-profits with strong experience in climate adaptation, rural livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, and community institution building can respond to this Request for Information (RFI).

About the GCF ECRICC Project

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) project titled “Enhancing Climate Resilience of India’s Coastal Communities (ECRICC)” is looking for experienced non-profit implementation partners in India.

This initiative focuses on building the resilience of vulnerable coastal communities, especially women, through an ecosystem-based and community-led climate adaptation approach.

The project is specifically seeking organizations that can support implementation in the target districts of Maharashtra.

What Is the Project About?

The ECRICC project is designed to help coastal communities better cope with:

Its goal is to improve long-term resilience by combining:

  • Climate-adaptive livelihoods

  • Ecosystem restoration

  • Community institution building

  • Women-focused resilience support

  • Government scheme convergence

Key Focus Areas

Selected organizations may support a wide range of climate resilience and community development activities.

Main Areas of Work

  • Community mobilization

  • Awareness generation

  • Capacity building

  • Stakeholder engagement

  • Data collection and field surveys

  • Project documentation

  • Ecosystem restoration support

  • Climate-adaptive livelihoods

  • Village-level and livelihood planning

  • Backward and forward market linkages

  • Formation of Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

  • Formation of Eco-Development Committees (EDCs)

  • Training on biodiversity conservation

  • Sustainable agriculture and fisheries practices

  • Convergence with government schemes

Who Is Eligible?

This opportunity is open only to non-profit and community-based organizations.

Eligible Applicants

  • Non-profit organizations

  • NGOs

  • Civil society organizations (CSOs)

  • Community-based organizations (CBOs)

Not Eligible

  • For-profit organizations

  • Private commercial entities

Important: Applications from for-profit organizations will not be considered.

Eligibility Criteria

Organizations should meet both technical and location-based requirements.

Minimum Experience Required

Applicants should have at least 5 years of proven experience in one or more of the following areas:

  • Climate-adaptive livelihoods

  • Natural resource management

  • Ecosystem-based adaptation

  • Disaster management

  • Watershed management

  • Rural livelihoods

  • Women empowerment and gender

  • Community development

  • Rural development

Required Functional Experience

Applicants should also show strong experience in:

  • Community institution development

  • Capacity building and training

  • Participatory planning

  • Micro-planning and development plans

  • Livelihood improvement plans

  • Working with local government departments

Relevant government engagement may include work with:

  • Fisheries

  • Agriculture

  • Forestry

  • Rural Development

Location Requirement

Organizations should have been operational in the target districts of Maharashtra for at least 2 years.

Preferred Implementation Background

Applicants should ideally have prior experience implementing projects funded by:

What Will Selected Organizations Do?

Selected organizations will support implementation at both landscape level and village level.

Core Responsibilities

  • Conduct household and village surveys

  • Prepare enterprise and management plans

  • Develop village and livelihood plans

  • Support ecosystem restoration activities

  • Facilitate climate-adaptive livelihood interventions

  • Build financial linkages with banks and institutions

  • Promote backward and forward market linkages

  • Support community mobilization and local participation

  • Ensure convergence with government schemes

  • Document project progress and field activities

Community Support Responsibilities

Organizations may also be expected to:

  • Support community resource persons

  • Manage field coordinators

  • Guide community volunteers

  • Strengthen Self-Help Groups (SHGs)

  • Strengthen Eco-Development Committees (EDCs)

Key Concepts Explained

What Is Climate Resilience?

Climate resilience means the ability of communities to prepare for, adapt to, and recover from climate-related shocks such as storms, flooding, or livelihood disruptions.

What Are Climate-Adaptive Livelihoods?

These are livelihoods designed to remain sustainable under climate stress. Examples include:

  • Climate-smart agriculture

  • Sustainable fisheries

  • Nature-based rural enterprises

  • Diversified income activities

What Is Ecosystem-Based Adaptation?

Ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA) uses natural ecosystems to reduce climate risks and support communities.

Examples include:

  • Coastal ecosystem restoration

  • Biodiversity conservation

  • Sustainable land and water management

Why This Opportunity Matters

This RFI is important because it supports a major climate adaptation effort in coastal Maharashtra, where communities face increasing climate and livelihood risks.

Why It Matters for Communities

  • Strengthens resilience to climate shocks

  • Supports women and vulnerable households

  • Improves livelihoods

  • Restores natural ecosystems

  • Builds stronger local institutions

Why It Matters for NGOs and CSOs

  • Opportunity to work in a GCF-funded climate project

  • Strengthens credibility in climate resilience programming

  • Expands work in ecosystem restoration and community adaptation

  • Supports long-term impact in coastal development

How to Apply / What to Do

This is a Request for Information (RFI), which means organizations are being asked to show their capability and relevance as potential implementation partners.

Step-by-Step Application Guidance

  1. Confirm eligibility
    Ensure your organization is a non-profit, NGO, CSO, or CBO and not a for-profit entity.

  2. Check experience fit
    Verify that you have at least 5 years of relevant experience in climate resilience, livelihoods, ecosystem restoration, or community development.

  3. Confirm local presence
    Make sure your organization has been active in the target districts of Maharashtra for at least 2 years.

  4. Prepare your organization profile
    Include:

    • Legal status and registration

    • Organizational background

    • Relevant project experience

    • District-level presence

    • Key staff and field teams

  5. Highlight relevant strengths
    Clearly mention experience in:

    • Community mobilization

    • SHG/EDC formation

    • Participatory planning

    • Government convergence

    • Livelihood planning

    • Market linkages

    • Donor-funded implementation

  6. Submit as per official RFI instructions
    Follow the official submission format, timeline, and document requirements mentioned in the original RFI notice.

Tips for a Strong Response

To improve your chances, keep your response specific and evidence-based.

Best Tips

  • Show direct experience in coastal resilience or climate adaptation

  • Clearly mention Maharashtra district presence

  • Highlight work with women’s groups, SHGs, or community institutions

  • Include examples of government department coordination

  • Mention donor-funded or government-funded project experience

  • Use measurable outcomes where possible

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid these common errors when responding:

  • Submitting a generic NGO profile without climate relevance

  • Not proving non-profit eligibility

  • Ignoring the Maharashtra location requirement

  • Failing to mention government convergence experience

  • Not showing community institution-building work

  • Using vague descriptions instead of concrete examples

  • Missing donor-funded implementation experience

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for the GCF ECRICC RFI?

Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, NGOs, CSOs, and CBOs.
For-profit organizations are not eligible.

2. What is the minimum experience required?

Applicants should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in climate adaptation, rural livelihoods, ecosystem-based adaptation, community development, or related sectors.

3. Is Maharashtra-based presence required?

Yes. Organizations should have been operational in the target districts of Maharashtra for at least 2 years.

4. What kind of work will selected organizations do?

They may support:

  • Surveys and data collection

  • Community mobilization

  • Ecosystem restoration

  • Climate-adaptive livelihoods

  • Village and livelihood planning

  • Financial and market linkages

  • SHG and EDC formation

  • Government scheme convergence

5. Is this a grant or a partnership opportunity?

This appears to be an implementation partnership opportunity under a Request for Information (RFI), not a direct unrestricted grant.

6. Is prior donor-funded project experience important?

Yes. Experience with international donors or government agencies is strongly relevant and may strengthen an application.

Conclusion

The GCF-funded ECRICC project is a strong opportunity for experienced non-profits to support climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihoods in coastal Maharashtra.

Organizations that can clearly demonstrate non-profit eligibility, 5+ years of relevant experience, local presence in Maharashtra, and strong community-based implementation capacity are well-positioned to respond to this RFI.

For more information, visit UNDP.