CFAs: Long-Term Vision for the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot

Deadline: 26-Jan-2026

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is inviting proposals to develop a long-term strategic investment vision for the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot. The assignment will define pathways toward CEPF graduation, scale ecosystem-based adaptation, strengthen civil society capacity, and mobilize sustainable financing across Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles. Up to USD 280,000 is available for implementation between March and November 2026.

Overview of the Opportunity

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) has launched a call for proposals to develop a long-term strategic vision that will guide conservation investment in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot.

The assignment focuses on strengthening civil society leadership, advancing ecosystem-based adaptation (EbA), mobilizing sustainable financing, and preparing the hotspot for graduation from CEPF support while ensuring lasting biodiversity and climate resilience outcomes.

About the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)

CEPF is a global conservation programme that supports civil society organizations to safeguard the world’s most biologically important and threatened regions, known as biodiversity hotspots.

CEPF investments aim to generate durable conservation impact by strengthening local capacity, enabling policy change, and catalyzing long-term financing beyond donor funding cycles.

The Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot

This hotspot is one of the most biologically diverse and threatened ecoregions globally and is highly vulnerable to climate change.

CEPF investment in the hotspot focuses on:

• Madagascar, a Least Developed Country (LDC)

• Three Small Island Developing States (SIDS):

  • Comoros

  • Mauritius

  • Seychelles

The countries share interconnected coastal, marine, and island ecosystems, as well as common socio-economic and climate vulnerabilities.

Purpose and Strategic Objectives of the Assignment

The primary objective is to develop a long-term strategic vision that enables sustained conservation impact led by civil society beyond CEPF funding.

Key objectives include:

• Strengthening the effectiveness and leadership of civil society in biodiversity conservation

• Defining a pathway toward CEPF graduation for the hotspot

• Establishing a financing plan with financial targets for priority ecosystem-based adaptation actions

• Mainstreaming ecosystem-based adaptation into public policy through defined policy targets

• Engaging the private sector in delivering ecosystem-based adaptation

• Building long-term organizational capacity within civil society organizations

Core Outputs and Deliverables

The selected applicant will be responsible for delivering a comprehensive set of strategic outputs.

Long-Term Strategic Vision

The vision will:

• Define clear criteria, targets, and milestones linked to CEPF graduation conditions

• Identify priority conservation and adaptation actions for CEPF and other stakeholders

• Set out a coordination structure for long-term implementation

Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EbA) Framework

Deliverables will include:

• Financial targets and a financing plan for priority EbA actions

• Four sets of policy targets to support mainstreaming EbA into public policy

• Four private sector engagement strategies to support EbA delivery

Civil Society Capacity Building Plan

A detailed capacity-building and organizational development plan will be developed, including:

• Defined capacity targets

• Institutional strengthening priorities

• Support mechanisms for long-term effectiveness

Stakeholder Consultation Reports

Separate stakeholder consultation reports must be produced for each country:

• Madagascar

• Comoros

• Mauritius

• Seychelles

Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Process

The assignment requires inclusive, multi-stakeholder engagement across the hotspot.

The selected organization will:

• Establish and work with an advisory group

• Conduct literature and policy reviews

• Consult civil society, government, private sector, and donor stakeholders

• Present and refine the draft vision through multi-stakeholder consultations

• Submit the final strategic vision to the CEPF Secretariat and CEPF Working Group

Consultations must be context-specific and reflect national priorities and capacities.

Funding Amount and Implementation Period

Available Budget

• Maximum budget: USD 280,000

The budget must cover all costs associated with research, consultation, coordination, and delivery.

Timeline

• Anticipated implementation period: March to November 2026

All activities, consultations, and final deliverables must be completed within this timeframe.

Who Is Eligible to Apply?

CEPF will accept proposals from a wide range of qualified organizations.

Eligible applicants include:

• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

• Private consulting firms

• Universities and research institutions

Eligibility of Government-Owned Entities

Government-owned enterprises or institutions are eligible only if they can demonstrate that they:

• Have legal personality independent of any government agency or actor

• Have authority to apply for and receive private funds

• Cannot assert a claim of sovereign immunity

Why This Opportunity Matters

This assignment is strategically important because it:

• Shapes long-term conservation and climate adaptation priorities in a globally critical hotspot

• Positions civil society to lead sustained impact beyond donor funding

• Aligns biodiversity protection with climate resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation

• Mobilizes public, private, and philanthropic financing

• Creates replicable models for other biodiversity hotspots and island regions

How the Assignment Will Be Implemented

1. Establish an advisory group and governance structure

2. Review relevant scientific, policy, and financing literature

3. Conduct inclusive stakeholder consultations in all four countries

4. Define graduation criteria, targets, and milestones

5. Develop financing, policy, private sector, and capacity-building strategies

6. Present and refine the draft vision through multi-stakeholder forums

7. Submit the final long-term strategic vision to CEPF

Common Proposal Weaknesses to Avoid

• Insufficient attention to CEPF graduation criteria

• Limited integration of ecosystem-based adaptation across strategies

• Weak private sector or policy engagement components

• Inadequate country-specific consultation approaches

• Lack of measurable targets, milestones, or financing mechanisms

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main goal of this CEPF call?

The goal is to develop a long-term strategic vision that enables sustained biodiversity conservation and climate resilience in the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Hotspot beyond CEPF funding.

How much funding is available?

Up to USD 280,000 is available for this assignment.

What is the implementation period?

The anticipated period is from March to November 2026.

Which countries are covered?

Madagascar, Comoros, Mauritius, and Seychelles.

What role does ecosystem-based adaptation play?

EbA is a central focus, with defined financial, policy, and private sector strategies to scale climate-resilient ecosystem management.

Can universities or consulting firms apply?

Yes. NGOs, private consulting firms, and universities are all eligible.

Are government-owned institutions eligible?

Only if they have independent legal personality, can receive private funds, and cannot claim sovereign immunity.

Conclusion

CEPF’s call to develop a long-term strategic investment vision for the Madagascar and Indian Ocean Islands Biodiversity Hotspot represents a pivotal opportunity to shape conservation impact for decades to come. By aligning civil society leadership, ecosystem-based adaptation, sustainable financing, and policy engagement, the assignment will lay the foundation for durable biodiversity protection and climate resilience well beyond CEPF support.

For more information, visit CEPF.