Deadline: 25-Aug-2025
This call for projects is rooted in principles of subsidiarity, local relevance, equity, cultural and linguistic diversity, and long-term sustainability. It is designed to support grassroots initiatives that contribute to coastal resilience in West Africa.
The main goal is to support innovative, high-impact local projects aligned with the objectives of the WACA ResIP Project. The focus is on encouraging direct involvement of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in protecting and sustainably developing coastal ecosystems.
Key aims include strengthening the ecological, economic, and social resilience of coastal communities through sustainable resource management and environmental restoration. The initiative also supports pilot projects in environmental education, shared governance, social innovation, and advocacy.
It promotes nature-based solutions that can be replicated in other coastal regions and aims to build the technical and operational capacity of CSOs and local community networks. Creating dialogue between local stakeholders, researchers, communities, and policymakers is another important aspect, helping to bridge traditional knowledge with innovation and policy.
The call aligns with WACA ResIP and PRCM priorities, focusing on themes like restoration of coastal ecosystems, conservation of mangroves and wetlands, creation and community management of Marine Protected Areas, and biodiversity protection. Projects can also support ecological monitoring and endangered species protection.
Other priorities include strengthening local governance through community mobilization, environmental advocacy, education, and the promotion of integrated coastal management. Socio-economic innovation is also encouraged, particularly around sustainable fisheries, eco-tourism, blue/green entrepreneurship, and support for women and youth.
The maximum funding per project is USD 40,000, and each project must be completed within 12 months. Extensions may be granted in exceptional cases.
This call is open to CSOs operating in the nine WACA ResIP beneficiary countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, São Tomé & Príncipe, Senegal, and Togo. Projects must show potential for creating practical, valuable, and transferable outcomes such as decision-making tools, platforms, or publications.
Eligible applicants include legally registered CSOs such as NGOs, associations, cooperatives, and women’s or youth groups. Community-based organizations and village committees active in natural resource or coastal management are also eligible, along with national or regional CSO networks working on environmental or development issues in West Africa.
Applicants must have legal status for at least 12 months at the time of submission, demonstrate the ability to produce replicable results, and submit financial statements or proof of resources for the previous year.
For more information, visit PRCM.
