2 in 1 Call for Proposals 

ICCA – GSI phase 2

(Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories – 

Global Support Initiative)

GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP)

Implemented by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

June  2026

Guidelines for GEF SGP applicants

NOTE: This Call for Proposals forms the basis for applying for GEF SGP grants under the ICCA GSI phase 2 initiative. It must neither be construed as a grant agreement nor be regarded as a confirmation of a grant awarded by the GEF Small Grants Programme to any entity. This Call for Proposals is not for sale and neither does the GEF Small Grants Programme charge a fee for any stage of the proposal development and submission process. 

Proposals are to be sent by e-mail to sgpinfo.ke@undp.org by June 21 2026

Introduction

The Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP) implemented by UNDP, awards grants on a competitive basis for initiatives implemented by civil society organizations, to enable them to implement environmental projects while at the same time supporting poverty reduction and local empowerment objectives.

Background

Since 2014, the Global Support Initiative to territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCA-GSI) has been providing direct financial support to improve the recognition and overall effectiveness for biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and resilience to climate change effects in ICCAs. 

Phase 2 of the ICCA-GSI was launched to continue this work while focusing on the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) 2030 Targets, specifically:

1. Target 3: Ensure and enable that by 2030 at least 30 per cent of terrestrial, inland water, and of coastal and marine areas, especially areas of particular importance for biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services, are effectively conserved and managed through ecologically representative, well-connected and equitably governed systems of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures, recognizing indigenous and traditional territories where applicable, and integrated into wider landscapes, seascapes and the ocean, while ensuring that any sustainable use, where appropriate in such areas, is fully consistent with conservation outcomes, recognizing and respecting the rights of indigenous peoples and local communities, including over their traditional territories.
2. Target 21: Ensure that the best available data, information and knowledge, are accessible to decision makers, practitioners and the public to guide effective and equitable governance, integrated and participatory management of biodiversity, and to strengthen communication, awareness-raising, education, monitoring, research and knowledge management and, also in this context, traditional knowledge, innovations, practices and technologies of indigenous peoples and local communities should only be accessed with their free, prior and informed consent[1], in accordance with national legislation.
3. Target 22: Ensure the full, equitable, inclusive, effective and gender-responsive representation and participation in decision-making, and access to justice and information related to biodiversity by indigenous peoples and local communities, respecting their cultures and their rights over lands, territories, resources, and traditional knowledge, as well as by women and girls, children and youth, and persons with disabilities and ensure the full protection of environmental human rights defenders.
4. Target 23: Ensure gender equality in the implementation of the framework through a gender-responsive approach where all women and girls have equal opportunity and capacity to contribute to the three objectives of the Convention, including by recognizing their equal rights and access to land and natural resources and their full, equitable, meaningful and informed participation and leadership at all levels of action, engagement, policy and decision-making related to biodiversity.

Phase 2 of the ICCA-GSI is implemented in 50 countries globally by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) through the Global Environment Facility’s (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) delivery mechanism. Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) are critical components for the success and growth of the ICCA-GSI. The M&E framework for the GSI involves a process on the systematic collection and analysis of data to assess the performance of projects  and provide insights for informed decision-making and strategic planning. 

Project Objective – 2 in 1 Call for Proposals

The outcome for the ICCA GSI Phase 2 aims to achieve “Improved recognition, support, and overall effectiveness for biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods and resilience to climate change, for territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCAs), through enhanced capacities of all engaged parties, contributing to the achievement of the UN SDGs and the Global Biodiversity Framework, in 50 countries, by the year 2028”.

This Call for Proposals entwines 2 Calls in 1; a call for a catalytic NGO and a Call for regular grants. 

Catalytic NGO

The Call for Proposals for the Catalytic NGO is here: Catalytic NGO Call for Proposals

1. The Catalytic NGO is a well-established local NGO that has a strong commitment to ICCAs, indigenous peoples’ issues and biodiversity conservation;
2. Is familiar with the Global ICCA registry, Protected Planet Platform and Mapeo for ICCAs. Will providing training for IPs and LCs on the use of these tools. 
3. Will support the other ICCA GSI grantees in a Self-strengthening process; conduct monitoring and evaluation of the ICCA portfolio; and provide guidance in the use of the “Resilience and Security Index”.
4. Collaborate with the SGP office and the ICCA grantees to develop Knowledge Management products. 
5. Produce end-of-project reports in collaboration with the SGP office and the grantees. 
6. To be implemented over a period of 30 months. 
7. Maximum grant is USD 50,000.

Regular grants

The Call for Proposals for regular projects is here: Regular Grants Call for Proposals

1. Regular grants will be awarded to local civil society organizations that are duly registered.
2. The CSO works in or nearby to an ICCA – an area or territory that is conserved by Indigenous People or Local Communities.
3. The CSO empowers Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to improve the governance and management of ICCAs.
4. Key outputs include enhanced biodiversity conservation; increased resilience against climate change and improved livelihoods. 
5. The CSO will apply for a grant to implement activities aligned to targets 3, 21,22, and 23 of the GBF. 
6. To be implemented over a period of 24 months.
7. Maximum grant for CBOs, youth groups, PWD groups and women groups is USD 30,000. The maximum grant for NGOS is USD 50,000.

Co-financing

UNDP requires that applicants demonstrate co-financing. The applicant should show in the proposal the amount of co-financing it will raise (both in cash and in-kind) during the implementation of the project and indicate the source of the co-financing. 

Duration

Catalytic projects will be implemented over a period of not more 30 months and regular grants will be implemented over a period of not more than 24 months. 

Submission of proposals

All proposals must be developed using the GEF SGP proposal guidelines template and should reach the following email address sgpinfo.ke@undp.org no later than June 21 2026.   Only one application per organization will be accepted. Files larger than 5MB will not go through. For enquiries and clarifications, send an email to Eunice.mwaura@undp.org.

Record of Results

One of the key templates for recording results and outcomes is the Project Information Management Matrix, which is attached ICCA Project Information Management Matrix Note the indicators and targets that each project is expected to report on. They should be aligned with those identified in the annexes of the proposal template. 

APPLICATION   PROCEDURE 

Applicants are to submit a full project proposal, using the GEF SGP proposal template. It is attached ICCA GSI Phase 2 project proposal template_FINAL - 052026

Documents to be submitted for application.

The following documents must be submitted as part of the application:

1. Project proposal application form (template provided); 
2. Project budget (template provided); 
3. Registration certificate as evidence for legal credentials of the organization.
4. Letter of support from a Government office or a development partner, having confirmed that they have reviewed the technical and budget details of the proposals. 
5. Further documentation may be required. These may be communicated to provisionally selected applicants.
6. Documents may be checked for truthfulness and accuracy of representation through various means, including but not limited to internet searches, formal official confirmation from responsible offices, letters of recommendation, etc. 

Where and how to send the application

The completed application form and the budget document must be submitted in Word, Excel or PDF.

Applications must be submitted by email to sgpinfo.ke@undp.org. The subject heading should make reference to one of the following: 

1. ICCA GSI phase 2 Catalytic NGO
2. ICCA GSI phase 2 Regular grant 

Applications sent by any other means or delivered to other addresses will not be considered under this Call for Proposals.

Incomplete applications will be rejected. 

Deadline for submission of applications

The deadline for the submission of full project proposals is June 21 2026. This will be evidenced by the date of receipt of the submission email. Any application submitted after the deadline will be automatically rejected. 

EVALUATION PROCEDURE

Applications will be evaluated by the technical evaluation team according to the following steps and criteria:

Step one: Eligibility evaluation

The following will be evaluated: 

1. The submission deadline has been respected: 
2. The application form including the budget table is duly filled;
3. Requested documents are attached to the application;
4. The proposal meets the rest of the eligibility criteria as mentioned in section 2 above.

Step two: Technical assessment of full project proposals

The technical assessment will be done by the National Steering Committee (NSC). 

The NSC reviews the proposal and either accepts it conditionally or rejects it. Proposals that are conditionally accepted are revised  as per the recommendations of the NSC. In addition, proposals are subjected to a due diligence process, which includes a field visit. 

Some of the criteria for evaluation of the proposals are: 

1. Relevance of Core activities
2. Demonstrated capacity to implement activities/track record
3. Comprehensive and realistic work plan
4. Detailed and realistic budget
5. Co-financing provided and a breakdown presented. 
6. The project centers community engagement and participation and demonstrated tangible benefits for the community and the ICCA

Upon conclusion of the due diligence and receipt of the revised proposal, the NSC makes a final decision on the organizations to be awarded a grant. Approved proposals enter the national SGP work programme once the MoAs are signed. 

APPROVAL AND AWARD

Only applications from Kenyan registered organizations will be considered. 

Only successful applicants will be informed in writing of the grant award. 

The successful applicant signs a Grant Agreement based on the standard SGP MOA.