Deadline: 27-Jul-2026
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is inviting Letters of Inquiry from eligible civil society organisations to support the final assessment of biodiversity conservation efforts in the Ecuadorian portion of the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot. The grant will fund an organisation to coordinate a final evaluation workshop in Quito, Ecuador, in February 2027.
The initiative supports biodiversity conservation evaluation, knowledge exchange, stakeholder engagement, and future conservation planning under the Protection of Tropical Andes Biodiversity programme.
What Is the CEPF Final Assessment Grant?
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) Final Assessment Grant supports the evaluation of conservation investments implemented in Ecuador under the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot programme.
The grant aims to review project achievements, identify lessons learned, collect feedback from civil society organisations, and strengthen future biodiversity conservation strategies.
The selected organisation will organise and manage a final evaluation workshop bringing together conservation stakeholders, government representatives, and CEPF-funded project partners.
Purpose of the Grant
The CEPF Final Assessment for Ecuador focuses on understanding the results and impacts of biodiversity conservation activities.
The assessment will help:
- Measure achievement against CEPF investment framework indicators
- Identify successful approaches and implementation challenges
- Evaluate unexpected positive and negative impacts
- Collect feedback from civil society organisations
- Share knowledge between CEPF-funded projects
- Identify future collaboration opportunities
- Support updates to the Tropical Andes ecosystem profile
Key Focus Areas
Biodiversity Conservation Evaluation
The initiative will assess conservation activities implemented in Ecuador and determine how effectively they contributed to protecting biodiversity.
The evaluation will examine:
- Conservation outcomes
- Programme effectiveness
- Long-term sustainability
- Lessons learned
Civil Society Engagement
The grant provides an opportunity for civil society organisations to contribute feedback about:
- CEPF Phase III grant management
- Project implementation experiences
- Conservation priorities
- Future funding needs
Knowledge Exchange and Collaboration
The programme encourages communication between:
- Conservation organisations
- Research institutions
- Government agencies
- International partners
The goal is to strengthen cooperation and improve future biodiversity initiatives.
About the Final Evaluation Workshop
The selected organisation will coordinate a three-day final evaluation workshop planned for:
Location: Quito, Ecuador
Date: February 2027
The workshop will bring together approximately 35 participants.
Expected participants include:
- Civil society organisations
- Members of the National Advisory Committee on Proposals (CONAP)
- CEPF representatives
- KfW representatives
- Ministry of the Environment (MAE)
- Government partners
Responsibilities of the Selected Organisation
The successful applicant will work closely with the Regional Implementation Team (RIT) and CEPF Secretariat.
Key responsibilities include:
Workshop Planning
The organisation will support:
- Workshop design
- Agenda preparation
- Participant coordination
- Meeting arrangements
Logistics Management
The organisation will manage:
- Travel arrangements
- Participant transfers
- Travel-related expenses
- Workshop materials
- Event coordination
Participants may travel from locations including:
- Loja
- Cuenca
- Pastaza
- Ibarra
- Pichincha
- Yunguilla
- Mashpi
- Baeza
- Archidona
Reporting
The selected organisation will prepare:
- Conference proceedings report
- Workshop outcomes summary
- Documentation of lessons learned
Who Is Eligible?
The grant is open to eligible civil society entities that meet CEPF requirements.
Eligible applicants include:
- Non-governmental organisations
- Private companies
- Universities
- Civil society organisations
- Other legally recognised entities
Applicants must:
- Have their own bank account
- Be legally authorised to receive international donor funding
- Operate under national laws
Eligibility Requirements for Government-Owned Entities
Government-owned organisations may apply if they can demonstrate:
- Legal independence from government control
- Authority to receive private international funds
- No ability to claim sovereign immunity
Funding Details
The opportunity is available under the Large Grants category.
Funding range:
US$50,001 to US$70,000
The grant supports activities required to organise and deliver the final evaluation process.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the ConservationGrants electronic portal.
The application process includes:
Step 1: Prepare a Letter of Inquiry
Applicants should explain:
- Organisational capacity
- Relevant conservation experience
- Workshop coordination approach
- Understanding of CEPF objectives
Step 2: Submit Through ConservationGrants
Letters of Inquiry must be uploaded through the official electronic application system.
Applications sent through:
- Other submission methods
will not be accepted.
Step 3: Participate in Selection Process
Selected applicants will coordinate with CEPF and the Regional Implementation Team to finalise workshop activities.
Why This Grant Matters
The CEPF Final Assessment Grant strengthens biodiversity conservation by ensuring that lessons from past projects are captured and used for future action.
The initiative supports:
- Better conservation planning
- Stronger civil society participation
- Improved international cooperation
- Evidence-based decision-making
It also helps identify future funding opportunities and partnerships for biodiversity protection.
Programme Background
The grant is part of the Protection of Tropical Andes Biodiversity programme.
The programme is implemented through CEPF with support from the German government through KfW.
Its main objective is to protect biological diversity by strengthening the role of civil society organisations in conservation activities.
Common Application Mistakes and Tips
Incomplete Understanding of CEPF Goals
Applicants should clearly connect their proposal with biodiversity conservation assessment.
Tip: Explain how your organisation will support evaluation, learning, and future planning.
Weak Workshop Management Plans
The project requires strong coordination skills.
Tip: Include clear plans for logistics, participant engagement, and reporting.
Missing Eligibility Documents
Applicants must demonstrate legal status and financial capacity.
Tip: Prepare organisational documents before submission.
Limited Stakeholder Engagement Strategy
The workshop requires participation from multiple groups.
Tip: Show how you will coordinate with conservation organisations, government partners, and CEPF representatives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the CEPF Final Assessment Grant?
The grant supports the final evaluation of biodiversity conservation efforts in Ecuador under the Tropical Andes Biodiversity Hotspot programme.
Who can apply for this opportunity?
Eligible applicants include NGOs, universities, private companies, and civil society organisations that meet CEPF legal and financial requirements.
What activities will the selected organisation perform?
The organisation will coordinate the final evaluation workshop, manage logistics, support participants, and prepare the workshop report.
Where will the final assessment workshop take place?
The workshop will take place in Quito, Ecuador, in February 2027.
How much funding is available?
The grant provides between US$50,001 and US$70,000 under the Large Grants category.
How must applications be submitted?
Letters of Inquiry must be submitted through the ConservationGrants electronic portal. Email submissions are not accepted.
Can government organisations apply?
Government-owned entities may apply if they meet CEPF requirements related to legal independence, funding authority, and sovereign immunity restrictions.
Conclusion
The CEPF Final Assessment Grant provides an opportunity for civil society organisations to support biodiversity conservation evaluation in Ecuador’s Tropical Andes region.
By coordinating the final assessment workshop, the selected organisation will help capture conservation lessons, strengthen stakeholder collaboration, and guide future biodiversity protection efforts. The initiative contributes to long-term environmental sustainability and stronger conservation partnerships.
For more information, visit Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.
