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Small Grants Call for Mediterranean Biodiversity Conservation

Deadline: 15-Mar-2026

BirdLife International and DOPPS, as the Regional Implementation Team for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), have launched a small grants call for civil society organizations in the Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot.

Grants ranging from USD 20,000 to USD 50,000 are available for projects running between 1 August 2026 and 30 September 2027, supporting community-led biodiversity conservation in seven eligible countries.

Program Overview

Program Name: CEPF Mediterranean Basin Small Grants Call

Funding Mechanism: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)

Regional Implementation Team: BirdLife International and DOPPS

Geographic Focus: Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot

Total Available Budget: USD 540,000

Grant Size:
Minimum: USD 20,000
Maximum: USD 50,000

Project Duration: Minimum 12 months
Project Start Date: No earlier than 1 August 2026
Project End Date: No later than 30 September 2027

About the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF)

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a global biodiversity funding mechanism that supports civil society-led conservation initiatives in biodiversity hotspots.

CEPF is a joint initiative of:

  • l’Agence Française de Développement

  • Conservation International

  • European Union

  • Fondation Hans Wilsdorf

  • Global Environment Facility (GEF)

  • Government of Canada

  • Government of Japan

  • World Bank

A core objective of CEPF is to ensure active engagement of civil society in protecting globally significant biodiversity.

Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot

The Mediterranean Basin is recognized as the second largest biodiversity hotspot in the world.

It is characterized by:

  • High levels of endemic plant and animal species

  • Significant ecosystem diversity

  • Increasing pressure from climate change, land degradation, urbanization, and resource exploitation

Funding under this call aligns with the Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot Investment Strategy (2025–2030), outlined in the Ecosystem Profile developed through a participatory process involving:

  • Civil society organizations

  • Donors

  • Government stakeholders

This strategy defines conservation priorities and funding focus areas for the region.

Eligible Countries

Projects must be implemented in one or more of the following countries:

Only activities within these countries are eligible.

Program Objectives

The small grants program aims to:

  • Support civil society-led biodiversity conservation

  • Strengthen local community engagement in ecosystem protection

  • Implement priority actions from the 2025–2030 investment strategy

  • Protect threatened species and critical habitats

  • Enhance sustainable resource management

  • Build long-term conservation capacity

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible Applicants Include:

  • Non-governmental organizations (NGOs)

  • Community-based organizations

  • Universities

  • Private enterprises

Important Conditions:

  • Individuals cannot apply directly

  • Individuals must partner with eligible civil society organizations

  • Organizations must:

    • Have a legal identity under national law

    • Be authorized to receive charitable contributions

    • Maintain their own bank account

Government-Owned Entities

Government-owned enterprises or institutions may apply only if they:

  • Have legal personality independent of any government agency

  • Have authority to apply for and receive private funds

  • Do not assert sovereign immunity

These criteria ensure accountability and independent implementation capacity.

Funding Structure

Minimum Grant Amount: USD 20,000

Maximum Grant Amount: USD 50,000

Total Budget for This Call: USD 540,000

Projects must:

  • Run for at least 12 months

  • Start no earlier than 1 August 2026

  • End no later than 30 September 2027

Funding is competitive and distributed among selected proposals.

Why This Grant Matters

  1. Strengthens Civil Society Leadership
    Empowers grassroots organizations to lead biodiversity protection efforts.

  2. Protects Globally Significant Ecosystems
    Supports conservation in one of the world’s most important biodiversity hotspots.

  3. Promotes Community Engagement
    Encourages local communities to participate in sustainable environmental management.

  4. Aligns with Regional Conservation Strategy
    Ensures funding supports coordinated, long-term biodiversity priorities.

  5. Builds Conservation Capacity
    Enhances institutional and technical expertise in eligible countries.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted in the form of a Letter of Inquiry (LOI).

Step 1: Review the Mediterranean Basin Ecosystem Profile (2025–2030)
Ensure your proposed project aligns with priority investment areas.

Step 2: Confirm Organizational Eligibility
Verify legal status, banking capacity, and authorization to receive charitable contributions.

Step 3: Design a Conservation-Focused Project
Clearly define:

  • Target species or ecosystems

  • Geographic focus

  • Community engagement strategy

  • Expected conservation outcomes

  • Implementation timeline (minimum 12 months)

Step 4: Prepare the Letter of Inquiry
Include:

  • Organizational background

  • Project objectives and activities

  • Alignment with CEPF investment strategy

  • Budget summary (USD 20,000–50,000 range)

Step 5: Submit the LOI
Follow official CEPF submission guidelines and deadlines.

Selected applicants may be invited to submit full proposals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting applications as individuals without an eligible organization

Proposing projects outside the seven eligible countries

Failing to align with the 2025–2030 Ecosystem Profile priorities

Requesting funding outside the USD 20,000–50,000 range

Not demonstrating measurable biodiversity outcomes

Lacking community engagement components

Strong proposals clearly connect conservation actions with local participation and hotspot priorities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

  1. Who manages this grant call?
    BirdLife International and DOPPS serve as the Regional Implementation Team for CEPF in the Mediterranean Basin.

  2. What is the grant size range?
    Between USD 20,000 and USD 50,000 per project.

  3. Which countries are eligible?
    Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Palestine, and Tunisia.

  4. When can projects begin?
    No earlier than 1 August 2026.

  5. When must projects be completed?
    By 30 September 2027.

  6. Can individuals apply?
    No. Individuals must collaborate with eligible civil society organizations.

  7. What is the minimum project duration?
    Projects must run for at least 12 months.

Key Definitions

CEPF: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund, a global funding initiative supporting civil society biodiversity conservation

Biodiversity Hotspot: A region with exceptional levels of endemic species under significant threat

Ecosystem Profile: A strategic planning document defining conservation priorities and investment focus areas

Letter of Inquiry (LOI): Initial project concept submission used to screen applicants before full proposal stage

Conclusion

The CEPF Mediterranean Basin Small Grants Call provides critical funding for civil society organizations working to protect biodiversity in one of the world’s most important ecological regions.

With grants ranging from USD 20,000 to USD 50,000 and a total funding pool of USD 540,000, the program supports strategic, community-led conservation initiatives aligned with the 2025–2030 investment strategy.

Eligible organizations in the seven participating countries have a significant opportunity to secure funding for impactful biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration projects.

For more information, visit CEPF.