Calls for proposals are expected to be announced in January 2026, following the launch of a pilot initiative of the GEF Small Grants Program (SGP).
The programme will be open to civil society organisations (CSOs) in all GEF-eligible countries, including from youth, women, and Indigenous Peoples.
Eligible areas for support are sustainable agriculture; community-based management of threatened ecosystems and species; sustainable cities; low-carbon energy access and chemicals and waste management.
GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, said “the GEF is increasingly strengthening its support to CSO-led conservation, and its engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities (IPLCs), women and youth. For the GEF, this is not just about equity, but also about catalysing transformative change. The GEF Small Grants Program and the forthcoming challenge programme are essential elements of our commitment.”
The Program will be implemented by IUCN and RTI International and supported with USD 10 million in GEF funding.
Viviana Elsa Figueroa, Global Technical Coordinator of the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity, said “I want to congratulate this programme for enabling real transformative change and providing crucial support to civil society, Indigenous Peoples, local communities, women and youth. This is a great opportunity. We must increase direct funding for IPLCs, as we cannot achieve global biodiversity targets without protecting and securing Indigenous rights and territories”.
Picture: Tim Gander, IUCN