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Home » Call for Project Proposals: GEF Small Grants Programme (Operational Phase 7) – Zambia

Call for Project Proposals: GEF Small Grants Programme (Operational Phase 7) – Zambia

Deadline: 7-Aug-23

The Global Environment Facility (GEF), Small Grants Programme (SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Zambia is inviting eligible local communities, Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in largely vulnerable remote areas with women, the youth and persons with disabilities to submit innovative and relevant project ideas for initiatives that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s livelihoods and wellbeing.

The GEF – SGP finances community-led initiatives to address global environmental issues through a decentralized, country-level delivery mechanism managed by a multi-stakeholder National Steering Committee (NSC) and supported by a SGP Country Programme.

The unique approach to Community Action, Global Impact has proven to be effective in helping communities respond to environment and development challenges while improving their livelihoods and reducing poverty. The SGP acknowledges that it is at the community level where solutions and effective action can emerge. The principle of “thinking globally, acting locally” has put the essence of sustainable development into action under the SGP. By providing financial and technical support to community projects, the GEF-SGP has enhanced conservation and restoration of the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and livelihoods.

Objectives
  • Support communities and civil society organizations to understand and practice sustainable development strategies that protect the global environment.
  • Develop, implement, and learn from community-level approaches that reduce threats to the global environment through replication, scaling up, and mainstreaming.
  • Build partnerships and establish networks to strengthen local and national capacities to address global environmental problems and promote sustainable development.
  • Gather, share and scale-up successful community-based innovations and strategies to showcase effective solutions to a wider set of stakeholders.
Focal Areas
  • Project ideas must address one of the following strategic themes;
    • Biodiversity Conservation;
    • Protection of International Water;
    • Reduction of the Impact of Chemicals.
Funding Information
  • Grant amount will range from $5,000 to $50,000.
  • Please note, $50,000 will be considered in exceptional situations.
  • The implementation capacity of the CBO and/or CSO, and the idea being proposed will be taken into account when approving the grant amount.
Duration
  • The duration of the proposed projects should not exceed 24 months.
Target Groups
  • Gender
    • Gender equality and women’s empowerment is a critical element of SGP efforts. Women play a fundamental role in creating well-being in their communities and sustainably using natural resources. Thus, women are encouraged to participate and take leadership in community-based projects.
  • Indigenous people
    • Indigenous peoples play a key role in SGP efforts. SGP works closely with indigenous communities. SGP respects customary law and practice and supports securing rights to land and resources, as well as participation of indigenous groups in local and national environmental governance.
  • Youths
    • As current and future actors and stakeholders in environmental protection and sustainable development, youth have become a priority group for SGP. Environmental protection is an intergenerational effort as it requires the expertise of the elders, as well as the formation of the youth as future leaders. Thus, SGP see great value in investing in youth, who have a unique capacity to shape a more sustainable future.
  • Disability
    • The SGP supports projects by and for persons with disabilities. Mainstreaming and engaging these groups enables them to actively participate in community efforts, which in turn improves their livelihoods.
Landscape
  • Prioritized landscapes for OP7 will include the following;
    • Upper Zambezi landscape Site – AER III: High rainfall region, densely forested region where the source of the Zambezi River is located,
    • Middle Zambezi landscape site – AER II: Medium rainfall region moderate forest cover, characterized by over harvesting of natural resources (logging, wildlife hunting, fishing) in the Western Province and,
    • Lower Zambezi Landscape site -AER III: Low rainfall region, characterized by heavy deforestation, significant increases and fluctuations in temperatures and prominent Land degradation,
    • Luapula landscape,
    • Kafue landscape.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Should be locally registered NGOs/CBOs/CSO’s (at least 2 years).
  • Have relevant experience and proven records of working with communities.
  • Demonstrate strong community involvement in the planned or proposed project.
  • Must have a strong organizational capacity to implement SGP projects and meet SGP requirements.
  • Encouraging and building partnership among organizations and groups is an integral part of the SGP. Thus, less experienced community organizations are encouraged to take part in SGP activities, assisted by a local or national NGO, who play a key role as mentors and partners.

For more information, visit United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

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