Deadline: 16-May-22
The PPI-OSCAN (Programme of Small Initiatives for Civil Society Organizations in North Africa) is now open for civil society organisations to support biodiversity conservation.
This program aims to strengthen the capacities of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in North Africa so that they are able to develop in the short term concrete initiatives on the ground contributing to the preservation of the global environment, and to contribute in the medium term to the implementation of national strategies and policies on biodiversity and the fight against climate change in the countries concerned.
A specific focus will be given to coastal and marine areas, and to wetlands. In addition, projects based inside or next to a protected area or an officially designated area of high ecological value will receive priority.
Objectives
- Effective and efficient implementation and management of conservation projects by organization society in Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia:
- Improved efficiency and technical, organizational and institutional sustainability of CSOs in their ability to carry out field projects;
- Promote exchanges and networking of CSOs, and continue dialogue and coordination with governments;
- Recognition of generated results
Themes
Eligible projects will concern the conservation of biodiversity in synergy with the improvement of the living conditions of local populations.The funded projects will be carried out over a maximum of 2 years (24 months) and will concern the following themes
- Conservation of species, ecosystems and territories with remarkable biodiversity
- Management and restoration of ecosystems and habitats (forests, continental hydro systems and wetlands, marine and coastal ecosystems, oasis ecosystems, desert environments, mountainous environments, remarkable agro systems, etc.)
- Conservation of endangered species and contribution to the implementation of national conservation strategies for endangered species.
- Fight against poaching and illegal wildlife trade.
- Fight against invasive species
- Co-management of terrestrial, coastal or marine protected areas
- Valuation of the benefits of conservation and sustainable livelihoods
- Economic valuation of traditional practices contributing to the preservation of biodiversity and the quality of ecosystems.
- Support for income-generating activities on the outskirts of protected areas / support for cooperatives.
- Generation of benefits for the population through actions of conservation and enhancement of biodiversity
- Structuring and certification of non-timber forest product sectors
- Accompaniment of the local population for a rational and sustainable use of species, and environmental awareness
- In terms of ecosystems, specific focus will be given to coastal and marine areas, and wetlands. In addition, projects located inside or on the edge of a protected area or an officially designated area of high ecological value will be given priority.
- Finally, all projects must integrate the concept of Nature-Based Solutions (NBS) in the conservation actions that they will promote. Nature-based solutions are defined as actions to protect, sustainably manage and restore natural or modified ecosystems to directly address societal challenges in an effective and adaptive manner, while ensuring human well-being and economic benefits. For biodiversity. Societal challenges or issues include, among others, improving health, food security, water supply, socio-economic development, disaster risk and climate change.
Funding Information
The programme will co-fund environmental projects with up to €30,000 and a minimum €10,000.
Projects implementing the following activities will be given priority:
- Actions in the field
- Income- generating activities
- Activities of an innovative nature
Eligibility Criteria
- The beneficiaries of the grants will be Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) from Algeria, Libya, Morocco and Tunisia in the field of the environment, including NGOs, professional agricultural associations, women’s associations, youth associations and their federations, as well as local organizations implementing activities in the field.
- Applications are open to “emerging” CSOs, created after December 31, 2015 and/or those that have not received financial support of more than 25,000 euros during the last three years. The funding requested will be between 10,000 and 30,000 euros.
Beneficiary organizations will:
- Have a legal status recognized by the administration which allows them to receive subsidies;
- Be able to provide accounts and precise identification of the identity of its main past donors; include in their proposal the advice of an accountant;
- Be able to prove the realization of effective activities since their creation and/or to present minutes of general assemblies;
- Have proven skills in the chosen area of intervention: biodiversity conservation or the fight against climate change.
For more information, visit https://www.iucn.org/news/mediterranean/202203/call-small-grants-launched-ppi-oscan-3-programme