Deadline: 25-Nov-20
The Fondation Franklinia is accepting project proposals focused on in-situ conservation of globally threatened trees.
The conservation of endangered trees requires specific skills and techniques to which it is desirable to refer. The Foundation strongly recommends using available sources of information and practical advice such as those found in many languages on the websites of the Global Trees Campaign, the Society for Ecological Restoration or IUCN (Guidelines for Species Conservation Planning, the Red List process; Guidelines for invasive species planning and management on islands) .
These resources should help you address key issues for your project, for example, how to collect seeds, how to store them and prepare them for germination, how to design and manage a nursery, how to reintroduce threatened trees into the wild, how to develop a monitoring plan for threatened tree species, etc.
The Foundation would like to ensure that funded projects are implemented in good coordination with activities funded by others and implemented in the same area. To that effect, the Foundation will maintain direct links with other donors ; proposals must indicate sources of co-funding (donors and amounts). Results of past activities must be mentioned in the proposal.
In addition, the foundation’s website should be consulted by project leaders in order to identify possible synergies with existing projects targeting similar species, countries or ecosystem types. A clear articulation with ongoing efforts supported by the Foundation is requested.
Beneficiaries must ensure that they have all legal authorisations to work in the proposed project area. Projects including a partnership with local or national organisations will be favoured.
Priorities
- Priority will be given to projects targeting Critically Endangered and Endangered species.
- Projects targeting Vulnerable species will be accepted when immediate investments will be necessary to stop a rapid decline.
- The Foundation will favour projects of global relevance (globally threatened species) versus projects protecting species locally or regionally threatened.
Budget
- The Foundation favours conservation projects with reasonable budget in relation to proposed activities. Costs/benefits ratio will be an important criterion during project selection. Funding for the organisation’s general costs will be limited and funding preferably spent where field activities are implemented.
- Long distance travels should be limited and only take place when local expertise is not available. Management costs (overheads) must represent less than 10% of the budget. The budget must be submitted in US or Canadian dollars, euros, pounds sterling or Swiss francs.
Co-Funding
- A minimum of 20 to 50% of co-funding will be required. The percentage will depend on project size and regions ; a diversified funding basis ensures a better sustainability. Co-funding will therefore be an important criterion but it is important to document the specific impact of the contribution of the Foundation.
Project Types
Projects must implement concrete on-the-ground conservation actions. Projects can span over a period of up to 3 years. The necessary information must be provided to answer the following questions:
- Does the project leader have the necessary experience and knowledge?
- Does the project take into account experience gained at the proposed site or in another region?
- Do the target species need to be replanted or is there sufficient natural regeneration?
- Does the project reduce the most significant threats to the target species?
- Is the project likely to negatively impact other species?
- Is there sufficient genetic diversity of nursery-reared seedlings?
- What is the expected survival rate of the plantations?
- Is the environmental impact of the project reasonable (team and infrastructure near the site…)?
- What is the long term vision: 10 – 30 years (once new trees have reached maturity)?
Eligibility Criteria
- Only projects aiming at improving the conservation status of globally threatened tree species listed on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species are eligible.
- Threatened species include those listed as Vulnerable (VU), Endangered (EN) or Critically Endangered (CR). Therefore, applicants must check the status of their target species to ensure that their project is eligible.
- If a species is considered as threatened but the assessment is not yet published on the Red List website, detailed additional information justifying a VU, EN or CR status must be provided.
- Any organisation with well-established expertise and efficiency in plant conservation can apply.
- The Foundation can fund projects implemented all over the world but will favour areas with high biological diversity as well as areas where needs are important and funding opportunities are limited.
- When there are several projects in the same geographical area, the Foundation wishes to see concrete collaboration between the different organisations active in the field, especially those it already supports.
Evaluation
- Projects must include specific indicators (KPIs) measurable and verifiable allowing to assess their implementation and impact on the ground.
- The foundation developed a Monitoring and Evaluation Framework which allows tracking its impact at global level (document available in annex); each project should include specific indicators (with target values) aligned with the foundation’s global indicators and indicate the long term vision (10-30 years; once new trees have reached maturity).
- At least one indicator must relate to a direct action on species. Representatives of the Foundation may travel to project sites in order to evaluate project implementation and impact.
Note: Proposals can be submitted in French or English.
For more information, visit https://fondationfranklinia.org/en/call-for-proposals-open/