Call for Letters of Inquiry for Small Grants – Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot

BirdLife International and DOPPS, serving as the Regional Implementation Team for the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF), are inviting civil society organizations to apply for small grants in the Mediterranean Basin Biodiversity Hotspot. These grants aim to support vital conservation efforts while actively engaging local communities in protecting their natural heritage.

The funding will focus on two key areas. The first is Coastal Biodiversity Conservation, which involves building local partnerships to safeguard globally significant coastal regions. This includes Marine Protected Areas and coastal wetlands. The goal is to support civil society involvement in managing these areas and to create new opportunities for protection, restoration, and sustainable management.

The second area of focus is the Conservation of Threatened Plants and Plant Communities. This includes strengthening the role of civil society in conserving endangered flora, building the capacity of the botanical community, and ensuring that plant conservation is effectively integrated into the management of protected areas.

The total budget available is USD 600,000, with individual grants ranging from USD 15,000 to USD 40,000. Projects must last a minimum of 12 months and should start by 1 November 2025 and be completed no later than 31 August 2027.

Eligible countries include Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cabo Verde, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, and Tunisia.

A wide range of applicants is welcome, including NGOs, community groups, universities, and private enterprises. Individuals may not apply directly but can partner with civil society organizations. All applicants must have a valid bank account and be legally authorized to receive charitable funds under national laws.

Government-owned enterprises can apply only if they meet specific conditions: they must have a separate legal identity from government bodies, the legal authority to receive private funds, and cannot claim sovereign immunity.

However, certain activities are not eligible for funding. These include the purchase of land, involuntary resettlement, or any activity that negatively affects cultural heritage or Indigenous communities. Projects must respect local values and receive broad support from any Indigenous Peoples affected.

This grant opportunity offers strong support for organizations dedicated to protecting biodiversity and empowering local communities across the Mediterranean region.