Deadline: 23-Oct-23
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is pleased to announce the small grants programme for Klang Valley in peninsular to improve land and resource management through community-driven interventions and generate global environmental benefits.
The Seventh Operational Phase (OP7) of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Malaysia aims to build upon the long-standing achievements of SGP in the country, specifically involving strengthening civil society organisations and improving socioeconomic conditions for local communities through the implementation of participatory conservation, restoration, and climate change mitigation interventions. Starting in this phase, Malaysia has been included in the Upgraded Country Programme (UCP) of the SGP.
For OP7, its work in the Klang Valley aims to address threats to biodiversity, including land degradation, as well as reducing climate change impacts by promoting energy efficiency.
Project Objectives & Targets
- The overarching objective of the RUGS project (in line with GEF-SGP-UNDP OP7), is to generate multiple benefits for biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, and the well-being of local communities through participatory, integrated land and resource management approaches implemented across the Klang Valley landscape.
- The RUGS strategy, as an alternative to traditional approaches, seeks to reach this objective by pursuing four target outcomes that work together harmoniously: land restoration, improving landscape management, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and giving direct benefits to individuals. The specific targets to be achieved by 2026 are as follows:
- 400 hectares of land restored;
- 9,000 hectares of landscapes under improved practices;
- Greenhouse gas emissions mitigated equivalent to 150 tonnes of carbon dioxide; and
- 10,000 individuals directly benefiting
- This will be accomplished and aided by SGP grant-funded projects within the Klang Valley, led by NGOs, CBOs, and local communities.
Scope of Assignment and Indicative Activities
- Competent organisations are encouraged to submit an application based on the following call for proposals. Proposals will be reviewed and approved by the SGP National Steering Committee (NSC).
- All proposed project activities must be in line with the Klang Valley Landscape Strategy that is being prepared by MNS in consultation with other stakeholders. The landscape strategy is under development, so please contact the SGP Secretariat to obtain the latest version.
- Applicants shall consider one or more of the following activities (but not limited to) for their proposed project:
- Land Degradation/Sustainable Land and Forest Management
- Vegetation restoration and reforestation in degraded parts of the RUGS landscape.
- Erosion and soil stabilisation within vulnerable landscapes such as riverbanks within RUGS riparian corridors (e.g., Klang River Basin) through restoration of stream-side vegetation; and hillslopes.
- Legal protection and improve land management over the existing and proposed community forests and green spaces in the Klang Valley.
- Development of nature-based economic opportunities for local communities (e.g., agroforestry, urban farming, ecotourism, etc.)
- Documentation of traditional knowledge related to landscape management and restoration techniques.
- Development of land use policies and regulations that promote protection of green spaces, sustainable urban planning, land use and development practices.
- Biodiversity
- Identify and promote ‘city-friendly’ wildlife (i.e., plants and animals that are appropriate to have living alongside people in an urban setting).
- Strengthen community-based conservation of threatened species via citizen-scientist programmes to provide opportunities for learning about scientific concepts and contributing to biodiversity conservation (e.g., tracking the populations of fireflies, otters, primates, urban and migratory birds, etc.).
- Strengthen community forest and land management through capacity building and engagement with relevant authorities.
- Physical intervention and enhancement of degraded landscape by creating diverse and resilient habitats such as wildlife corridors/crossings and man-made wetlands, through collaboration with city planners and architects.
- Documentation of traditional knowledge related to biodiversity.
- Development of policies and regulations for managing wildlife and its habitats.
- Green spaces accessibility to urban poor communities and demonstration of urban biodiversity initiatives to alleviate urban poverty.
- Climate Change mitigation
- Strategic urban planning and design that incorporates energy-efficient and climate resilient buildings using green materials and technologies that also have value as habitat for wildlife within the RUGS network (e.g., energy efficient lighting, roofing, and walls).
- Carbon offset systems such as carbon taxing and cap-and-trade systems to incentivise emissions reductions and restoration of carbon sinks (particularly degraded peatlands).
- Climate-friendly practices for sustainable agriculture, fisheries or other industries and food security within RUGS green spaces and corridors.
- Strengthen renewable energy interventions (e.g., off-grid solar combined cooling, heating and power (CCHP) for urban communities, biomass gasification).
- Promote sustainable transportation via public transportation network and improve accessibility by foot.
- Land Degradation/Sustainable Land and Forest Management
Funding Information
- The maximum amount per grant award will be limited to USD50,000. It is advisable that applicants base their grant request on the estimated expenditure required to conduct the proposed activities.
Duration of Project
- All projects must be completed by December 2025 at the latest.
Eligibility Criteria
- Eligible Organisations:
- Locally registered Non-government Organisations (NGOs)/Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)/Community-based Organisations (CBOs), with an existing copy of the certificate of registration.
- Locally registered bank account of the organisation.
- In exceptional circumstances, unregistered organisations may contact the SGP Secretariat to discuss the potential arrangement of an intermediary contract with an established organisation.
- Applicant organisations must demonstrate that it has the capacity to implement the project and meet SGP’s administrative and book-keeping requirements.
- Applications may be written in either English or Bahasa Malaysia.
For more information, visit UNDP.