Call for Project Proposals to address Land Degradation and Climate Change in Botswana

Deadline: 23-Jul-23

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme invites Civil Society Organisations (Non Governmental Organisations, Community Based Organisations, Cooperative Societies), Academic and Research Institutions to submit project proposals that promote and support innovative, inclusive and scalable initiatives, that foster multi-stakeholder partnerships at the local level.

The proposed initiatives should be designed to tackle and address environmental conservation within and outside selected landscapes (Makgadikgadi Wetland System, the Bobirwa Area and Panhandle of the Okavango Delta) under the following focal areas: Land Degradation and Climate Change consistent with the country environmental management and development priorities as well as the GEF targets.

Objectives

• The objectives of the strategic initiatives are:
  • Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food security
    • The primary focus within this strategic initiative is to remove deforestation from the supply chain and expand restoration of degraded lands. The objective is to improve the hectarage of landscapes under sustainable land management in the production systems and restore degraded agricultural lands. The initiative will also allow smallholder farmers to practice land degradation neutrality.
  • Low carbon energy access co-benefits
    • The objective is to promote renewable and energy efficient technologies providing socio-economic benefits and improving livelihoods. The initiative also seeks to promote off-grid energy services needs in rural and urban areas.

Funding Information

• The maximum grant amount for the proposed project under this call is Botswana Pula amount equivalent to USD 50,000.00.

Expected Outputs

• The expected outputs of the proposed projects include:
  • Reports (detailing monthly progress), both narrative and financial on the overall implementation of GEF/SGP projects.
  • Final report indicating desired results and impact as per the approved project proposal.
  • At least 3 knowledge products for dissemination including but not limited to; guidance notes, toolkits, posters, brochures, and video documentary, short stories/articles, policy briefs etc.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Undertake consultations with local authorities, Technical Advisory Committees (TACs) and other relevant stakeholders for consensus building, cooperation and partnership on SGP supported projects;
• Propose pilot projects that promote land degradation and climate change mitigation and adaptation focusing on one of the two (2) focus areas;
• During implementation of projects, Grantees are expected to promote and enhance utilization of indigenous knowledge and traditional knowledge systems;
• Oversee and ensure that all planned activities as per approved AWPs are implemented and adhere to the standards consistent with the respective sectoral requirements;
• Conduct periodic project site visits and monitor project progress according to the approved Annual Work Plans (AWPs);
• As part of the knowledge management and communication of the GEF/SGP projects, capture and share best practices and lessons learnt from project implementation and monitoring and submit to the National Coordinator (NC) for approval and dissemination;
• Maintain good working relationship with the GEF/SGP National Coordinator and ensure continuous and timely flow of monthly updates to the NC on all relevant matters concerning activities supported by the Programme.

Eligibility Criteria

• The SGP only supports non-profit oriented institutions registered in Botswana such as; Civil Society Organizations (Non-Governmental Organizations and Community-Based Organizations), Academic and Research Institutions. Proposals submitted by the eligible entities should be as follows;
  • Proof of registration as a Civil Society Organisation (CBO, NGO or Cooperative Society) including copies of registration certificate, constitution or governing documents (Letter of authority);
  • Academic and Research Institutions established with an Act of Parliament, proof of registration provided;
  • A consortium of CSOs can apply as partners with one CSO being the lead entity and executor of the project; institutional arrangements should show clear role clarity between the two entities.
• CSOs led and working towards uplifting the inclusion of the vulnerable groups such as; Women, Youths, People Living Disabilities and San community are encouraged to apply.
• Institutions that are currently implementing GEF-SGP Supported projects are not eligible for funding during this call. An institution is only allowed to submit one proposal at a time.
• There should be evidence of consultation and inclusive participation of target beneficiary communities in the project proposal development.

For more information, visit United Nations Development Programme.