Deadline: 19-Mar-2026
The EU-FCCB Open Call for Project Proposals, implemented by Expertise France, supports Papua New Guinea smallholders’ participation in deforestation-free value chains through sustainable livelihoods and responsible forest management. With EUR 6 million available, the call funds a single consortium-led project that will manage sub-grants for community-based, civil society, and responsible private sector actors in Papua New Guinea.
Programme Overview
The Forestry–Climate Change–Biodiversity (EU-FCCB) Programme, funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France, has launched an Open Call for Project Proposals to strengthen deforestation-free and sustainable value chains in Papua New Guinea (PNG).
The initiative focuses on expanding economic opportunities for traditional landowners and smallholders while promoting conservation, responsible forest management, and biodiversity protection.
Core Objectives
The programme aims to:
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Expand and consolidate sustainable, deforestation-free livelihoods for PNG smallholders
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Support conservation-accredited or branded commodities
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Strengthen market linkages with environmentally and socially responsible private sector actors
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Build capacity in forest management, conservation commodity best practices, and governance
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Improve benefit-sharing mechanisms and community-level decision-making
Funding Overview
The total funding envelope for this call is:
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EUR 6 million (approximately PGK 30 million)
Funding will be awarded as a single grant to one qualified consortium.
The selected lead organisation will be responsible for financial management, oversight, and accountability, including the disbursement and monitoring of sub-grants.
Project Structure and Sub-Granting Model
The project will operate through a sub-granting mechanism.
The selected consortium will:
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Receive one overarching grant from the EU-FCCB Programme
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Design, award, and supervise sub-grants to eligible actors in Papua New Guinea
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Ensure all sub-granted activities align with deforestation-free, social, and environmental sustainability objectives
Eligible sub-grant recipients include:
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Community-Based Organisations (CBOs)
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Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
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Environmentally and socially responsible Private Sector Organisations operating in PNG
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Eligible Applicants
Applications are restricted to consortia.
The consortium must include:
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A lead applicant that is a non-profit organisation
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At least two non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
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At least one national NGO from Papua New Guinea
Required Experience
Consortium members must collectively demonstrate:
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Proven experience in awarding and supervising sub-grants
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Strong engagement with rural communities and private sector actors in Papua New Guinea
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Technical and institutional capacity to manage large-scale funding
Technical and Institutional Capacity Requirements
The consortium must show its ability to deliver:
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Training on conservation commodity best practices
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Capacity-building in responsible forest management
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Support for community governance systems
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Knowledge-sharing on equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms
These activities must directly contribute to long-term sustainability, biodiversity protection, and inclusive economic development.
How the Programme Works
Step-by-Step Overview
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A qualified consortium submits a single joint proposal
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One non-profit organisation is designated as the lead applicant
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The selected consortium receives the full grant allocation
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The consortium designs and manages sub-grant calls in PNG
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Sub-grants are awarded to eligible CBOs, CSOs, and private sector actors
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Training, monitoring, and reporting ensure alignment with EU-FCCB objectives
Why This Call Matters
Papua New Guinea’s forests are globally significant for climate regulation and biodiversity, yet local communities often face limited economic alternatives.
This call directly links forest conservation with income generation, ensuring traditional landowners benefit from deforestation-free value chains rather than extractive practices.
By embedding strong governance, market access, and private sector partnerships, the programme aims to create durable economic models that protect forests while improving livelihoods.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
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Submitting proposals without a PNG-based national NGO partner
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Weak financial oversight or unclear sub-grant management systems
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Projects that lack measurable links to deforestation-free outcomes
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Insufficient experience working with rural or Indigenous communities
Clear governance, strong partnerships, and credible sustainability mechanisms are critical to success.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can submit an application?
Only consortia led by a non-profit organisation are eligible to apply.
Is this funding available to individual organisations?
No. Single-organisation applications are not eligible under this call.
How many grants will be awarded?
Only one grant will be awarded to a single consortium.
What will the selected consortium be responsible for?
The consortium will manage the main grant and disburse and supervise sub-grants to eligible organisations in Papua New Guinea.
Who can receive sub-grants?
Eligible sub-grant recipients include CBOs, CSOs, and responsible private sector organisations operating in PNG.
What types of activities are supported?
Activities related to deforestation-free livelihoods, conservation commodities, forest management, governance, and benefit sharing.
Is private sector involvement required?
Yes. Projects must strengthen linkages with environmentally and socially responsible private sector actors.
Conclusion
The EU-FCCB Open Call for Project Proposals offers a major opportunity to scale deforestation-free value chains in Papua New Guinea through a consortium-led, community-focused approach.
With EUR 6 million available, the programme empowers experienced non-profit consortia to drive sustainable livelihoods, strengthen forest governance, and connect traditional landowners to responsible markets.
For organisations with strong local partnerships and sub-granting expertise, this call provides a powerful platform to deliver lasting environmental and socio-economic impact in Papua New Guinea.
For more information, visit Expertise France.
