Call For Proposals

GEF SGP Operational Phase 7

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Belize is inviting eligible local civil society organizations to submit innovative project proposals.

Introduction:

As a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and executed by United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) has been active in Belize since 1993, providing over US$8.34 million and has leveraged US$10 million for investments to more than 296 projects nationally. GEF-7 STAR resources will support a portfolio of innovative projects utilizing an integrated programming approach.

GEF SGP`s investments are aligned with those of the GEF to fund innovative, inclusive, and impactful projects that address global environmental and sustainable development issues, while addressing the GEF Focal Areas of: Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, Prevention of Land Degradation, Protection of International Waters, Reduction of the Impact of Chemicals.

Strategic Initiatives and Activities for funding include:

Project proposals must address one of the following Strategic Initiatives:

1. Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species

• Improve management effectiveness of terrestrial and marine protected areas and enhance stewardship between civil society organizations and the regulatory agencies.
• Improve community-led biodiversity friendly practices and approaches, including promoting blue economy (e.g., mariculture, sustainable low-carbon fishing practices, nature-based tourism).
• Enhance community led actions for protection of threatened species and biodiversity stewardship.
• Operationalization of the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment essential for survival of all.

2. Sustainable agriculture, fisheries, and food security

• Resilience and adaptation - COVID19 blue and green recovery for MSMEs.
• Increase competitiveness, innovation, efficiency and effectiveness of overall local food production and value chain.
• Increase diversification and livelihood improvement and recovery for indigenous and local communities.
• Increase youth and women involvement in agroecology and empowering the next generation of farmers using innovative family farming approaches.
• Remove deforestation from supply chain and expand restoration of degraded lands.

Projects should focus on promoting equity, sustainability, and resilience to climate change. Specifically, addressing at minimum one of the following:

• Management and stewardship of national protected areas system and community conserved areas.
• Youth and Women led initiatives fostering inclusive economic development and empowerment.
• Strategic support for implementation of a portfolio of innovative blended financing of blue economy initiatives.
• Supplemental livelihood and income generation opportunities utilizing natural resources sustainably.
• Indigenous, traditional, cultural, and green/blue economic activities.
• Capacity building in the areas of MSME development, CSO governance and institutional development, proposal writing, digital innovation, business management, marketing and record keeping; and
• Knowledge management, community engagement and participation in sustainable development initiatives.

Is the Civil Society Organization registered and in good standing in Belize?  

a)         National or local non-governmental organization (NGO),

b)         Community-based organization (CBO),

c)         Women`s Group,

d)         Youth Group,

d)         Indigenous umbrella or grassroots organization or

e)         Local cooperative or association?

How can proponent organizations apply for a Grant?

Eligible local organizations should prepare a proposal using the standard GEF SGP proposal format. Proponent organization must ensure their proposed project ideas are aligned to the GEF SGP Operational Phase 7 Country Programme Strategy. Proposals should have a letter of endorsement from the applicable regulatory agency, partner organization or community. Proponent organizations are required to meet the 1:1 in-kind or cash co-financing requirements for co-investments in projects.

Planning Grants of up to US$5,000 can be awarded to eligible organizations that do not have the capacity to contract a consultant to prepare a proposal through a participatory planning process. The planning grant application, proposal format and OP7 Country Strategy can be accessed via this link or requested by sending an email to gefsgp@btl.net.

Small grants, ranging from US$5,000 to US$50,000.00, can be awarded to eligible local civil society organizations. A complete organizational assessment form must be submitted along with the proposal. Only proponent organizations whose proposal passes the technical screening criteria will be invited to present and defend their proposed project to the National Steering Committee. A maximum of US$50,000.00 can be awarded to a Grantee Partner per Operational Phase of the GEF SGP.

The closing date for submission of complete proposals is 30^th September 2022 at 17:00 hours.  Proposals should be submitted electronically to gefsgp@btl.net.

The National Coordinator

GEF Small Grants Programme

Email: gefsgp@btl.net

Telephone: 822 2462 / 610-8735

Website: www.sgp.undp.org