Deadline: 31-Aug-21
The USAID is seeking applications for the B4R Strategic Investment Fund (SIF) to support communities, the Government of Uganda (GoU), and the private sector to conserve and manage biodiversity in target ecosystems for lasting environmental, economic sustainability, increased community, and household resilience.
The B4R Activity works collaboratively with key government agencies that include Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA) and National Forest Authority (NFA) and other related ministries and departments, as well as district and local authorities in support of community wildlife ranches, collaborative forest management areas and protected area management while promoting marketbased solutions to improve stewardship of the natural resources necessary to sustain Uganda’s economic development.
SIF Goals
- To create successful enterprises that support strong and resilient local economies.
- To ascribe value to biodiversity resources through sustainable use
- To focus on creating long-term positive impact on biodiversity
- To provide direct revenue for conservancy management
Objectives
Conservation enterprise development supported by the B4R SIF will follow these tenants:
- Diversification & Resiliency – each landscape Shall aim to develop several enterprises in multiple target sectors, which would in turn make the local economies more vibrant and resilient to both economic and environmental risks.
- Innovation – applying best practices, developing new products/services, and using innovative partnerships.
- Direct Linkage with Conservation Management – the enterprise models Shall be closely linked with the conservation management of the target areas to address the threats around the buffer zones and other surrounding habitats (e.g. stop deforestation, reduce human wildlife conflict, land use planning guiding agricultural practices).
- Equitable Benefit Sharing and Community Skills – the businesses Shall include provisions to support improved community skills and benefit-sharing (e.g. local supply chains, investment in local skills and capacities)
Target Sectors
- Climate-smart, Organic and/or Restorative Agriculture – across the entire value chain with focus on value-added crops.
- Eco-Tourism – nature-based tourism (both accommodation and activities).
- Forestry – sustainable indigenous tree planting, non-timber forest products (e.g. honey, shea nut), and sustainable timber harvesting.
- Wildlife-based Enterprises – game ranching and other ancillary products from wildlife (e.g. crafts).
- Renewable Energy – products/services both in biomass and solar sectors.
- Aquaculture – environmentally-compliant fish farming. Other sectors could be eligible if they contribute to the B4R objectives.
Funding Information
Individual grants awarded as a result of this APS and submission of a final application are intended to NOT to exceed USD 10,000 in Year 1 per recipient.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must be a registered company/enterprise (including micro-enterprises or groups of micro-enterprises), associations, cooperatives, and cooperative unions. All Applicants Shall:
- Be legal persons.
- Be formally constituted at the time of grant award.
- Be compliant to government of Uganda regulations (submit tax compliance certificate where applicable)
- Have their principal place of business in Uganda.
For more information, visit https://bit.ly/2V0CcCk