Call for Proposals: Community-Based Adaptation Projects (Bhutan)

Deadline: 8-Jan-24

The GEF-Small Grants Programme, implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Royal Government of Bhutan, would like to announce its call for proposals for 2023 inviting civil society organizations and community-based organizations to submit innovative and inclusive project proposals that will build resilience of communities to the impact of climate change.

The Strategic Goal of SGP, UNDP for Operational Phase 7 (2020-2023) is “to promote and support innovative, inclusive and scalable initiatives, and foster multi stakeholder partnerships at the local level to tackle global environmental issues in the priority landscape” and the 2023 call is specifically focused on Community-Based Adaptation (CBA) Programmes.

Project proposals must be aligned with the SGP’s Country Programme Strategy and National Adaptation Plan of the Royal Government of Bhutan besides other relevant climate change adaptation policies and strategies of UNDP, government and others.

Thematic Areas

• Water security and resource management
  • Access to clean water and sanitation is an economic enabler and is vital to building climate resilience. However, many communities across the Pacific and Asia regions still lack basic water access. Climate change, directly impacts the water cycle, acts as a multiplier of the risks of water scarcity by increasing the variability and unpredictability of water resources. Thus, sustainably managing water resources is a critical aspect of the CBA programme.
• Agriculture, fisheries and food security
  • Droughts, flooding, shifting seasons and increased variability in rainfall and temperature patterns continue to affect agricultural production across the globe. These impacts are even more severe for smallholder farmers. For rural farming communities this can lead to food insecurity, poverty, poor health, nutrition and wellbeing.
• Land degradation
  • CBA projects can focus on nature-based solutions, agro-ecology and sustainable land management practices to improve ecosystem services and address some of the drivers of land degradation and other environment challenges at the community level.
• Disaster risk reduction (DRR)
  • DRR takes a systematic approach to adapting to climate change-induced hazards with a focus on preventing these hazards from evolving into full-fledged disasters. It includes a wide range of adaptation activities, such as risk and vulnerability assessments, utilizing early warning systems, improving multi-sectoral communication and collaboration, and education and awareness.
• Cross-cutting themes
  • In addition to the core thematic areas, the following cross-cutting themes should also be integrated across the national portfolio of CBA projects:
    • Enhancing socio-ecological resilience and productivity of landscapes
    • Supporting nature-based solutions grounded in cultural and societal values around the protection, conservation and restoration of ecosystem goods and services.
    • Prioritizing social inclusion and traditional knowledge- the CBA programme will ensure that interventions are socially sensitive and inclusive and that women, youth, local communities, persons with disabilities are actively brought into the CBA process as key agents of change.
    • Building organizational, technical and management capacities and raising awareness.

Funding Information

• The total fund from SGP not exceeding USD 50,000.00.

Criteria

• CSOs and CBOs are encouraged to submit proposals for SGP-UNDP’s landscape (i.e Lower Pema Gatshel). Duly completed project proposals (digital copy) should be submitted to the National Coordinator, SGP, UNDP Country Office, Bhutan. Proponents are encouraged to explore co-financing and integrate in-kind contribution for the proposed projects.
• The call is open to all eligible civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in the country who are interested in contributing to global environmental benefits by implementing micro projects.
• All interested CSOs/CBOs must prepare proposals using SGP’s standard Proposal Template. The proposals can be also submitted in Dzongkha and in video format especially for CBOs who have limitations.
• Proposals must be prepared based on the CBA guidelines and SGP Country Programme Strategy.
• All consultations (local or national) must be conducted during the proposal development phase and relevant agencies and authorities must be informed and their approval sought in advance.
• SGP Secretariat can be contacted for clarifications.

For more information, visit UNDP.