Applications are now open for the UNDP Opens Grants Programme 2026 under the ICCA-GSI Phase 2 initiative. Kenyan civil society organizations can apply for grants of up to $50,000 to support biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, and community livelihoods.
Overview
Community organizations across Kenya working to protect biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities now have an opportunity to access funding through the UNDP Global Environment Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme.
Applications are open for the ICCA-GSI Phase 2 Call for Proposals, a funding initiative that supports projects focused on Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs).
The programme is seeking both a Catalytic NGO and local civil society organizations capable of implementing projects that improve biodiversity conservation, strengthen livelihoods, and enhance climate resilience while supporting community-led conservation efforts.
Successful organizations can receive grants of up to USD 50,000.
About the ICCA-GSI Phase 2 Initiative
The Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories Global Support Initiative (ICCA-GSI) was established to strengthen the recognition, governance, and effectiveness of community-conserved areas around the world.
Since 2014, the initiative has supported Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities in protecting biodiversity, improving livelihoods, and building resilience against climate change.
Phase 2 of the programme continues this work while contributing to the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) 2030 targets, particularly those focused on conservation, traditional knowledge, inclusive governance, gender equality, and community participation.
The initiative is implemented in 50 countries through the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF SGP), which is administered by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
What Funding Is Available?
This call combines two funding opportunities under one programme.
1. Catalytic NGO Grant
A well-established Kenyan NGO will be selected to support implementation and coordination of the ICCA-GSI portfolio.
The selected organization will:
- Support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities through capacity-building activities
- Provide training on ICCA tools and platforms
- Support monitoring and evaluation activities
- Guide grantees in using resilience assessment tools
- Develop knowledge management products
- Assist with portfolio reporting and documentation
Funding Available
- Maximum Grant: USD 50,000
- Project Duration: Up to 30 months
2. Regular Grants
Regular grants are available for local civil society organizations working with Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.
Projects should focus on:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Climate resilience
- Sustainable livelihoods
- Community-led governance
- Indigenous knowledge systems
- Gender-responsive conservation approaches
Funding Available
For:
- Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
- Youth Groups
- Women Groups
- Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
Maximum grant:
- USD 30,000
For NGOs:
- Maximum grant: USD 50,000
Project duration:
- Up to 24 months
What Will Successful Organizations Gain?
Beyond funding, successful organizations will benefit from:
- Financial support for conservation and development activities
- Opportunities to strengthen community-led governance
- Support for biodiversity protection initiatives
- Capacity-building opportunities
- Increased visibility within conservation networks
- Contributions to national and global biodiversity goals
- Stronger climate adaptation and resilience programmes
- Enhanced support for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Who Can Apply?
Only organizations registered in Kenya are eligible.
Eligible Applicants Include:
- Registered Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)
- Community-Based Organizations (CBOs)
- Youth Organizations
- Women’s Groups
- Organizations of Persons with Disabilities
- Other registered civil society organizations
For regular grants, organizations must work within or near an ICCA (Indigenous Peoples’ and Local Communities’ Conserved Area or Territory).
Applicants should demonstrate a commitment to community empowerment and conservation outcomes.
What Types of Projects Are Eligible?
Projects should contribute to one or more of the Global Biodiversity Framework targets supported under ICCA-GSI Phase 2.
Priority areas include:
- Biodiversity conservation
- Sustainable natural resource management
- Climate change resilience
- Indigenous Peoples’ rights and participation
- Traditional knowledge preservation
- Gender equality and women’s leadership
- Community governance and decision-making
- Environmental justice and inclusion
Projects should deliver measurable benefits for both communities and conservation outcomes.
Co-Financing Requirement
Applicants are required to demonstrate co-financing.
Organizations must indicate:
- Cash contributions
- In-kind contributions
- Sources of co-financing
- Expected additional resources to be mobilized during project implementation
Applications that clearly demonstrate co-financing may be more competitive during evaluation.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted using the official GEF SGP proposal template.
Step 1
Determine whether you are applying for:
- ICCA GSI Phase 2 Catalytic NGO Grant, or
- ICCA GSI Phase 2 Regular Grant
Step 2
Complete the official project proposal template.
Step 3
Prepare the required supporting documents.
Step 4
Develop a detailed project budget using the provided template.
Step 5
Submit all documents by email before the deadline.
Applications should be emailed to:
Applicants should clearly indicate one of the following subject lines:
- ICCA GSI Phase 2 Catalytic NGO
- ICCA GSI Phase 2 Regular Grant
Required Documents
Applicants must submit:
- Completed project proposal form
- Project budget template
- Organization registration certificate
- Letter of support from a government office or development partner
- Additional documents if requested during the review process
Applications that are incomplete will not be considered.
How Will Applications Be Evaluated?
Applications will undergo a two-stage review process.
Stage 1: Eligibility Screening
Reviewers will assess:
- Submission before the deadline
- Completeness of the application
- Required supporting documents
- Compliance with eligibility requirements
Stage 2: Technical Evaluation
Proposals will be assessed based on:
- Relevance of activities
- Organizational capacity and experience
- Quality of the work plan
- Realistic budgeting
- Community participation
- Conservation impact
- Co-financing commitments
- Benefits for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities
Shortlisted proposals may also undergo due diligence and field verification visits.
Application Deadline
Applications must be submitted no later than:
21 June 2026
Late submissions will automatically be rejected.
Summary Table
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | ICCA-GSI Phase 2 |
| Implementing Agency | UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme |
| Eligible Country | Kenya |
| Eligible Applicants | Registered Kenyan CSOs, NGOs, CBOs, Youth and Women’s Groups |
| Catalytic NGO Grant | Up to USD 50,000 |
| Regular NGO Grant | Up to USD 50,000 |
| CBO/Youth/Women/PWD Grant | Up to USD 30,000 |
| Project Duration | 24–30 Months |
| Co-Financing Required | Yes |
| Application Deadline | 21 June 2026 |
Conclusion
For Kenyan organizations working to protect biodiversity, strengthen community conservation efforts, and support Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, the ICCA-GSI Phase 2 funding opportunity offers significant support to scale impact and drive long-term environmental change.
With grants of up to USD 50,000 available, this initiative provides an important opportunity for community-led organizations to contribute to climate resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation while advancing the goals of the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Organizations interested in applying should begin preparing their proposals and supporting documents as soon as possible before the 21 June 2026 deadline.
SEO Keywords
UNDP grants Kenya 2026, GEF Small Grants Programme Kenya, ICCA GSI Phase 2, biodiversity grants Africa, environmental funding Kenya, community conservation grants, Indigenous Peoples conservation funding, climate resilience grants, NGO funding opportunities Kenya, youth group grants Kenya, women groups funding Kenya, biodiversity conservation grants, civil society funding opportunities, UNDP small grants programme, environmental NGO grants
