GEF Small Grants Program (SGP)

About this grant

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) provides grants directly to community-based organizations (CBOs) and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to address global environmental concerns alongside local development. SGP works as a window for direct participation of NGOs, local communities, and grassroots organizations in GEF focal area work, complementing the larger and medium-sized GEF project funding. Applicants must show how their project objectives and activities would have an impact in the SGP areas of work (GEF focal areas), and how the project responds to or aligns with the targets and objectives of the SGP Country Programme Strategy (CPS) of their country. Proposals must be proposed by national CBOs and NGOs. The application process begins with a Call for Concepts or Proposals issued by a national SGP Country Programme. The proponent, with help from the National Coordinator, submits a brief concept paper. The National Coordinator pre-screens it against GEF SGP criteria and national criteria. If eligible, the proponent prepares a full project proposal, sometimes supported by a planning grant. The National Coordinator then submits completed proposals to the National Steering Committee (NSC), which accepts, rejects, or returns them for refinement. Approved proposals enter the national SGP work programme. Grants are usually paid in three instalments: an up-front payment, a mid-term payment upon a satisfactory progress report, and a final payment upon a satisfactory completion and final report. SGP charges no fee at any stage of selection.

Eligibility

Applicants must be national community-based organizations (CBOs) or non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Projects must meet the GEF SGP criteria, align with the SGP Country Programme Strategy of the applicant's country, and be proposed by national CBOs or NGOs. Applications are made through the national SGP Country Programme in response to a call for concepts or proposals. Applicants should contact the National Coordinator in their country for details.

How it's scored

Concept papers are pre-screened by the National Coordinator for consistency with GEF SGP criteria and any additional national criteria set out in the Country Programme Strategy. Full proposals are reviewed and accepted, rejected, or returned for refinement by the National Steering Committee (NSC). Key tests include demonstrated impact in SGP focal areas and alignment with the national CPS targets and objectives.

Key requirements

• ✓Applicant must be a national CBO or NGO eligible under the relevant national SGP country programme
• ✓Project must address GEF focal area work and align with the country's SGP Country Programme Strategy
• ✓Proposals start with a concept paper pre-screened by the National Coordinator before a full proposal goes to the National Steering Committee

Frequently asked questions

How much funding does Global Environment Facility (GEF) offer?

GEF Small Grants Program (SGP) offers $75K.

Who can apply for GEF Small Grants Program (SGP)?

Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL; nonprofit, charity, community-group. See the eligibility criteria above for the full conditions.

Relevant sectors

About this sector

Biodiversity funding backs habitat restoration, species protection, protected areas and nature-positive business. It comes from environment agencies, multilateral nature funds and conservation philanthropy, often through competitive calls with defined regions. Applicants are usually asked for baseline surveys, local partners and indicators that show ecological change.