International Waters Grant
In context
This call is open to non-profits, community groups and local authorities and 1 other. Funding is a grant. Coverage is read from the notice itself: any country and Global-South. The funder accepts early-stage applicants.
This grant funds local community-led actions addressing sustainable management of shared freshwater and marine ecosystems across transboundary water bodies. It targets communities and organizations working on water and ecosystem conservation in developing regions.
About this grant
The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), established in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit, provides financial and technical support to community-based projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people's well-being and livelihoods. The programme embodies sustainable development through its "thinking globally, acting locally" approach. SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the balance between human needs and environmental imperatives. The International Waters focal area addresses sustainable development challenges faced by countries sharing transboundary water resources, supporting local initiatives that promote conservation and restoration of international water systems while benefiting communities dependent on these ecosystems.
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Key requirements
- ✓Focus on transboundary water bodies and shared freshwater/marine ecosystems
- ✓Local community-led actions and sustainable development outcomes
- ✓Ecosystem management and conservation activities
Recent past awardees
Knowing who's won the last rounds tells you whether you're in the strike zone.
- Mongolian pastoralists in Burd district, Tuul River Basin
- Coral reef restoration project in Mauritius
- Uzbekistan arid rangelands adaptation project
Frequently asked questions
- Who can apply for International Waters?
- Eligibility covers organisations in GLOBAL, GLOBAL-SOUTH; nonprofit, community-group, local-authority, social-enterprise.
Relevant sectors
About this sector
Water funding covers supply, sanitation, wastewater treatment, water efficiency, catchment management and flood risk. A large share is public procurement for infrastructure and services, alongside grants for innovation and access in underserved areas. Bidders and applicants are typically assessed on technical capacity, operating experience and community impact.
Free accounts: 1 official link a month · Pro: every link
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