Deadline: 19-Jun-23
The BirdLife in the Americas secretariat opens the second edition to select the best proposals for the conservation and research of natural grasslands and their birds in the region.
The main mission of this initiative is to conserve natural grasslands and their biodiversity in the Southern Cone of South America through coordinated actions among the partners of the four countries (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay), and among the sectors of society (producers, civil organizations, academia, and governments), within the framework of harmonious and sustainable regional development. This initiative is being replicated in geographies of herbaceous ecosystems facing similar conservation challenges in the Colombian Llanos, together with BirdLife partner Calidris, and in the Beni Savannas in Bolivia, together with Armonía.
Priority
- Projects involving priority species/ecosystems for the Conservation of grasslands and Flyways in the Americas or species that are threatened in local or global categories. will be prioritized (grassland species/ecosystems important for the work of BirdLife partners, IBAs/KBAs, e.g., threatened migratory grassland birds, etc.), In the case of countries where the Grasslands Alliance operates, the sites (and their area of influence) and focal species defined within the framework of this initiative will also be prioritized. The strategic lines to be funded include:
- Impact of different forms of livestock production, or other forms of production (agricultural and/or forestry crops, etc.) on grassland ecosystems, their biodiversity in general, and on bird communities in particular.
- Biology and ecology for the conservation of resident grassland bird populations.
- Biology and ecology for the conservation of migratory grassland bird populations.
- Habitat restoration for key or threatened bird species.
- Monitoring of focal or endangered bird species.
- Natural and/or anthropogenic disturbances affecting grassland ecosystems and/or sustainable livestock production in the context of climate change.
- Biogeochemical processes in the context of Climate Change: Carbon, Nitrogen, Water cycle.
- Microbial relationships of importance in the restoration and maintenance of the structural and ecosystem functioning of natural grasslands.
- Development and analysis of alternative sustainable production schemes and circular economy, based on the use of resources present in natural grasslands.
- Study and development of new technologies/processes to increase sustainability in grassland ecosystems.
- Environmental education and awareness-raising for local communities
Funding Information
- Grant of up to $12,000
Criteria
- The “Small Grants for Grassland Conservation” are aimed at individuals working or conducting research in grassland conservation. The prioritized countries for this call are Argentina (Pampas Grasslands and Associated Ecosystems), Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
- Applicants from other American countries where there is a local BirdLife partner with an established grassland program, and within the prioritized lines/sites/species indicated in the following section, may also apply to the call.
- The applicant must establish contact with the director/coordinator of the grassland program of the Partner Organization in the country where the study will be conducted to verify the project’s eligibility and to submit a recommendation letter from the National Director/Coordinator of the Grassland Program and/or of the Partner Organization where the study will take place, signed by the Director of that Association.
- For applicants to the Small Grants – Phase II, approval of the corresponding report from the first edition is required (Projects compete with other projects presented in the present call, so being a beneficiary in the previous call does not guarantee automatic project approval). Indicate project leader and background (CV), including contact information (Email).
- Working Group and Feasibility Data:
- Detail name, tittle, position and background of the members of the working group.
- Provide Institution name and location, and available facilities.
- Project Duration: one year from the date of approval.
- Documentation may be submitted in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
- The applicants must have a bank account in their name.
For more information, visit BirdLife International.