Deadline: 31-Oct-2025
The United Nations Environment Programme in collaboration with GIZ, has announced a call for project proposals under the IKI-GIZ ‘FAST’ Project Finance for Biodiversity – Accelerating Support and Tools.
This initiative seeks to support partner countries in strengthening public finance systems that channel investments toward biodiversity protection and nature-positive outcomes. The overall goal is to make public financial flows more aligned with environmental priorities through improved fiscal policies, budgeting, and evidence-based approaches.
Through this call, UNEP aims to identify up to eight implementing partners to deliver specific activities under Output I (Knowledge and Evidence) and Output IV (Global Exchange). These outputs are critical to building strong national and international communities of practice and ensuring decisions are informed by sound data, policy insights, and financial strategies. UNEP will engage up to two partners per country, with the more experienced partner in knowledge management being assigned additional tasks related to Output IV.
Selected partners will enter into formal UN Implementing Partner Agreements, transferring both funding and project responsibility. These agreements outline collaborative partnerships where the partner organization is fully accountable for delivering results and using resources effectively. The project implementation timeline is set to begin in Q1 2026 and continue through Q2 2031.
Eligible organizations must also have a proven track record of at least five years in delivering similar-sized or scoped projects, ideally with experience in collaborating with ministries of finance or equivalent government bodies. Prior engagements with UNEP, multilateral development banks, or other international institutions will be considered an advantage.
Expertise is expected in areas such as knowledge management, stakeholder engagement, community-building, and advocacy. Teams should include technically qualified personnel capable of delivering on the project’s complexity. Strong communication skills and the ability to operate both nationally and globally are also required.
From a project management perspective, proposals should demonstrate solid organizational capacity with a credible leadership structure, past performance references, and a well-defined implementation timeline. Workplans should align clearly with deliverables and milestones, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the implementation phase.
Proposals must also include a detailed and reasonable financial plan, outlining clear cost structures, fair pricing, and adequate loading. Adherence to financial prudence and clarity in budgeting will be a key factor in the evaluation.
This call presents a significant opportunity for qualified organizations to contribute to shaping biodiversity-focused public finance strategies and to support countries in aligning economic systems with environmental resilience. By working alongside UNEP and GIZ, implementing partners will play a crucial role in transforming financial frameworks to better serve both people and planet.
For more information, visit UN Environment Programme.
