Deadline: 20 April 2020
WWF-Russia serving as the regional implementation team for the hotspot, is accepting letters of inquiry (LOIs) from non-government organizations, community groups, cultural organizations, women’s groups, private companies and other civil society organizations.
WWF Russia serves as the regional implementation team (RIT) and manages a small grant program to support projects up to US $20,000. Recipients of small grants will receive agreements from WWF Russia reflecting the requirements of CEPF.
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Japan and the World Bank. A fundamental goal is to ensure civil society is engaged in biodiversity conservation.
The Mountains of Central Asia Biodiversity Hotspot consists of two of Asia’s major mountain ranges, the Pamir and the Tien Shan. Politically, the hotspot’s 860,000 square kilometers include southern Kazakhstan, most of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, eastern Uzbekistan, western China, northeastern Afghanistan, and a small part of Turkmenistan. CEPF’s investment focuses on Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), defined as “sites contributing significantly to the global persistence of biodiversity”, as well as priority species and corridors.
Thematic Areas
Grant funded through this solicitation will address one or more of the following themes:
- Local traditions and modern environmental education as the basis of sustainable development of local communities and natural ecosystems.
- Enhancement protection and monitoring of existing PA’s as an integrated unit.
- Conservation in KBAs as a basis for sustainable development in the most populated and productive valleys in the Kyrgyz Republic.
Geographic Areas
Projects should address any of the following priority geographies:
- Corridor 7: Turkestan and Alai Mountains
- Corridor 18: Khan-Tengri and Tomur Mountains
- Key Biodiversity Area (KBA) 20: Isfairam-Shakhimardan
- KBA 23: Alai-Kuu
- KBA 28: Kumtor and Sarychat-Ertash
- KBA 30: Sary-Djaz
Funding Information
Grant size: Maximum amount US$ 20,000.
Time Frame
Projects are expected to start in 2020. Typical duration will be one to two years, but all CEPF-funded work must be complete by June 2024.
Eligibility Criteria
- Non-governmental and non-commercial civil society organizations, registered community groups and citizen cooperatives, and private universities may apply for funding. It is possible for commercial organizations, such as farms and to apply for funding by special consideration. Individuals must work with civil society organizations rather than apply directly.
- International organizations are encouraged to involve local organizations or communities as project partners and/or explain how local stakeholders will be engaged as part of project implementation.
- Organizations must have their own bank account and be authorized under relevant national laws to receive charitable contributions. Groups without a USD bank account may partner with other organizations that do have a USD bank account.
- Government-owned enterprises or institutions are eligible only if they can demonstrate that the enterprise or institution has:
- A legal personality independent of any government agency or actor;
- The authority to apply for and receive private funds; and
- May not assert a claim of sovereign immunity.
For more information, visit https://www.cepf.net/grants/open-calls-for-proposals/2020-mountains-central-asia-small-grants
