Call for LOIs: Large and Small Grants – Ecuador

Deadline: 20-Oct-24

The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund is inviting letters of inquiry (LOIs) for its Large and Small Grant Program.

Themes

• Recovery of COVID-19 impacted KBAs, and their economies based on green objectives: Conventional economic recovery strategies currently taking place in the hotspot are increasing pressures on the ecosystems of the Tropical Andes in Ecuador.
• Mainstreaming of gender equality into conservation strategies and projects: CEPF is committed to integrating gender equity into its projects. Applicants should integrate gender equity into their project design.
• Strengthening of capacities of Indigenous peoples and local civil society: Building the capacity of strategically positioned stakeholders is important to achieve CEPF’s conservation outcomes. Projects may include capacity building to foster civil society leaders, strengthening of local organizations and Indigenous peoples, as well as for local governments.
• Fostering long-term financial sustainability: Long-term financial sustainability is a current concern for many Andean civil society organizations. CEPF aims to build civil society capacity, networks, and tools that can attract new funds and generate innovative financing mechanisms that contribute to biodiversity conservation and sustainability of CEPF partners.
• Contributing to climate change adaptation and mitigation: Building resilience to climate change is another important objective for CEPF.

Funding Information

• This call covers funding for large and small grants:
  • Small grants range from US$5,000 to US$50,000. The RIT expects that the small grant projects under this call will begin the first semester of 2025.
  • Large grants range from US$50,001 to US$200,000. CEPF decides on the final amount to be awarded based on the scope of the conservation results expected to be achieved. CEPF expects large grants under this call to be contracted to start implementation in the first semester of 2025.

Eligibility Criteria

• Non-governmental organizations, community groups, universities and private enterprises may apply for funding. Individuals must work with civil society organizations to develop LOIs rather than apply directly.
• To qualify for a CEPF grant, the applicant must not be a government agency or institution. Government-owned enterprises or institutions are eligible only if they can establish that they fulfill the following criteria:
  • Have an independent legal constitution from any government agency or actor.
  • Have the authority to apply for and receive private funds.
  • May not assert a claim of sovereign immunity.
• Applicants based outside of the eligible countries may submit a LOI as long as the project deliverables are focused on the conservation priorities within this call.
• Joint projects with other organizations are eligible, with one lead organization submitting the application and project partners with clear roles stated in the application.
• Applicants located outside of the eligible geographic areas may apply as long as the project deliverables focus on the conservation needs of this call and on the eligible geographic areas.
  • Preference will be given to proposals that:
    • Demonstrate a leadership role for local organizations and/or an explicit focus on capacity building for local civil society, and
    • Demonstrate that they will coordinate with other organizations to avoid duplication of efforts.
• Applicant organizations must have their own bank accounts and be legally entitled to receive grants.

For more information, visit CEPF.