LocationsUNDP Supports 18 Community-Led Environmental Actions Along the Black Volta Basin Under GEF Small Grants Programme (Operational Phase 8)
July 6, 2026
From the right is Dr Abdul-Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate, UNDP Ghana presenting the signed Grant Agreement to a representative from one of the selected organisations
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), through the Small Grants Programme funded by the Global Environment Facility, has formalized support for 18 selected Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) working along the Black Volta Basin across the Savannah, Bono and Upper West Regions to address critical environmental challenges while improving livelihoods and strengthening community resilience.
With a total grant allocation of $457,000 (approximately GHS5m), the funded initiatives will promote community-based conservation, enhance sustainable agriculture, fisheries and food security, low-carbon energy access and strengthen local to global coalitions on chemicals and waste management, to advance national priorities and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The implementation of the eighth Operational Phase (OP8) of the GEF Small Grants Programme officially commenced with a grant agreement signing ceremony, paving the way for the implementation of the community-led environmental initiatives across the Black Volta Basin. The event also featured an inception workshop that brought together all the 18 selected CSOs and NGOs. The workshop strengthened participants’ understanding of project implementation modalities, monitoring and reporting requirements, fiduciary responsibilities, communication and visibility guidelines to ensure effective programme delivery and accountability.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dr. Abdul Razak Saeed, Head of Environment and Climate at UNDP Ghana, emphasized the importance of innovative financing in strengthening community-led development efforts and sustaining environmental action at the grassroots level.
“Innovative financing is transforming the way development is delivered. It is shifting us beyond traditional aid models and positioning civil society organizations as strategic partners that connect communities to sustainable development outcomes and long-term impact. Through initiatives like the GEF Small Grants Programme, we are investing in local leadership and solutions that will continue to deliver environmental and socio-economic benefits for generations to come.”
The OP8 programme builds on UNDP’s long-standing commitment to supporting community-based initiatives that generate global environmental benefits while improving local livelihoods. Through this phase, the GEF Small Grants Programme continues to strengthen partnerships with civil society organizations and grassroots actors working at the forefront of environmental stewardship and community development.
The selected projects span a broad range of strategic intervention areas, including community-based biodiversity conservation; conservation of threatened ecosystems and species; landscape restoration and sustainable land management; climate-smart agriculture; sustainable land and forest management; food security; climate change mitigation and resilience; wetland and riparian ecosystem restoration; and low-carbon livelihood development.
Through these interventions, participating organizations will work with communities to restore degraded landscapes, protect critical habitats, promote sustainable agricultural practices, strengthen ecosystem stewardship, and create livelihood opportunities that reduce pressure on natural resources.
The projects highlight the important role local organizations play in advancing environmental sustainability while improving the well-being and resilience of communities along the Black Volta Basin landscape. The CSOs / NGOs serve as the platform for this change and therefore should ensure an inclusive participatory approach to implementation.
Representing the beneficiary organizations, Louis Kuuyebir, Finance and Operations Manager at the Tuna Women Development Project, welcomed the support and reaffirmed the commitment of participating organizations to delivering impactful, community-driven environmental solutions.
“We are grateful to UNDP Ghana, the GEF Small Grants Programme and our partners for this investment in community-led action. This support will strengthen our efforts to protect the environment, improve livelihoods, and build a more resilient future for communities across the Black Volta Basin,” said Mr. Kuuyebir.
As implementation begins, the supported projects are expected to contribute to the restoration of degraded landscapes, conservation of biodiversity, improved food security, enhanced climate resilience and the creation of sustainable livelihood opportunities for communities across the Black Volta Basin. The projects are expected to be implemented by July 2026 and end mid 2028
About the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP)
The Small Grants Programme (SGP) is a corporate programme of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Established in 1992, SGP is currently active in 127 countries and promotes community-based innovation, capacity development, and empowerment through projects led by local
civil society and community-based organizations, with special consideration for Local Peoples, women, youth and persons with disabilities. SGP has supported over 28,000 community-based projects on biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, climate change mitigation and adaptation, sustainable land management, conservation of international waters, and chemicals and waste management, while generating sustainable livelihoods.
Gallery
