Deadline: 31-Jul-25
Applications are now open for the Integrated Management of the Transboundary Landscape of the Nimba – Diécké Mountains Program.
Objectives
- The general objective of this call for applications is to sustainably improve the living conditions of local populations around the four main Protected Areas of the Nimba-Diécké landscape (in particular women and young people), while strengthening the conservation of biodiversity through an integrated landscape approach.
- The specific objectives of this call for proposals are:
- OS1. Ecological connectivity and conservation of core protected areas are ensured
- This specific objective consolidates the biodiversity conservation function associated with protected areas in the landscape and ensures that connectivity between them is maintained through good governance and the rational use of natural resources. To maximize its impact, the products focus on acquiring knowledge about the ecological parameters of wildlife, combating poaching, deforestation and bushfires, habitat restoration, and finally the quality of management and planning of conservation measures.
- The objective includes targeted support in equipment and small infrastructure (patrol posts) for Protected Areas, primarily but not exclusively in Liberia. Regarding the Strict Reserve in Guinea, one of the expected results is the physical materialization of the boundaries of the reserve in its southern section at least, as well as the significant reduction of illegal agricultural activities within this area. Throughout the Landscape, the maintenance of forest cover will be encouraged, with support to avoid deforestation and/or reforestation.
- OS2. The resilience of local communities is strengthened through the green economy within promising and inclusive economic sectors.
- This specific objective contributes to improving the resilience of populations living near protected areas. The aim is to achieve the empowerment of local economic actors, particularly those affected by environmental and climate crises or associated with human-wildlife conflicts. The action supports local economic actors in developing activities that generate sustainable employment and income within promising sectors, targeted through local support and advisory support, focusing on women’s groups and youth. The choice of economic sectors will be proposed in an inclusive manner with local communities and through the analysis of economic opportunities and local know-how.
- The process also includes issues of territorial landscape planning, access to land, and the promotion of forest products in the green economy. The orientations towards a green economy deployed on the periphery of large groups of protected areas in the landscape automatically promote greater involvement of local communities and economic actors in the sustainable governance and management of natural resources. This is particularly evident in the choice of sectors and the exploitation of products.
- OS3. Improved environmental governance at local and regional levels supports the sustainable conservation of protected areas and the emergence of an inclusive green economy
- This specific objective targets the promotion of local and regional governance:
- At the local level, activities will strengthen governance capacities for the management of Protected Areas, surrounding territories and natural resources. The planned support focuses on awareness-raising, training and structuring of governance, including strategic support for the co-management of the East Nimba Nature Reserve and shared governance of the opportunities and challenges brought by the recent development of eco-tourism within the Protected Area and the establishment of a governance structure at the landscape level.
- This specific objective targets the promotion of local and regional governance:
- OS1. Ecological connectivity and conservation of core protected areas are ensured
Funding Information
- The overall indicative amount made available under this call for proposals is EUR 2,500,000. The contracting authority reserves the right not to allocate all available funds.
- Amount of subsidies
- minimum amount: EUR 2,400,000
- maximum amount: EUR 2,500,000
Duration
- The initial planned duration of an action cannot be less than 32 months nor exceed 36 months.
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for a grant, the lead applicant must:
- be a legal person and
- have no profit motive and
- belong to one of the following categories of organisations: non-governmental organisation, public sector operator, local authority, international (intergovernmental) organisation as defined in Article 159(1) of the Financial Regulation of the European Union and
- be effectively established in a Member State of the European Union or in one of the OECD member countries, in the case of contracts to be implemented in a least developed country or in a highly indebted poor country, or in developing countries and territories (included in the list of ODA recipients established by the OECD DAC) and
- be directly responsible for the preparation and management of the action with the co-applicant(s) and the affiliated entity(ies), without acting as an intermediary.
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