EOI for partners to deliver Global Environmental Benefits under the GEF 8 Heart of Conservation Initiative

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About the Organization

For more than 60 years, WWF has worked to help people and nature thrive.

As the world’s leading conservation organization, WWF works in nearly 100 countries. At every level, we collaborate with people around the world to develop and deliver innovative solutions that protect communities, wildlife, and the places in which they live.

WWF works to help local communities conserve the natural resources they depend upon; transform markets and policies toward sustainability; and protect and restore species and their habitats. Our efforts ensure that the value of nature is reflected in decision-making from a local to a global scale.

WWF connects cutting-edge conservation science with the collective power of our partners in the field, nearly one million supporters in the United States and five million globally, as well as partnerships with communities, companies, and governments.

Today, human activities put more pressure on nature than ever before, but it’s also people who have the power to change this trajectory. Together, we can address the greatest threats to life on this planet and protect the natural resources that sustain and inspire us.

About the EOI

The HCI aims to increase financial resources, organizational strength, and recognition for Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ governance and stewardship of lands, territories and resources to deliver Global Environmental Benefits.

HCI will achieve this by supporting an ecosystem of organizations led by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities that can manage, distribute and disburse funds to communities, members and partners.

HCI has five Components:

• Component 1: On-the-ground projects led by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities to deliver Global Environmental Benefits.
• Component 2: Self-strengthening of Indigenous Peoples and/or local community organizations to govern lands, territories and resources.
• Component 3: Representation and recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in global and large-scale decision-making.
• Component 4: Experience and lessons learned to support and enhance broader initiatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
• Component 5: Monitoring and evaluation.

This call relates to Component 1. Under Component 1, expressions of interests are invited with budgets of 1-2 million USD from 2026-2030 to support affiliated communities, members, constituents, or partners with on-the-ground projects to enhance stewardship of lands, territories and resources and deliver specific Global Environmental Benefits. The HCI aims to deliver Global Environmental Benefits in biodiversity conservation. These include:

• Conservation of globally significant biodiversity;
• Sustainable use of the components of globally significant biodiversity; and
• Fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the utilization of genetic resources, including by appropriate access to genetic resources.

Additionally, co-benefits in climate change mitigation and land degradation could include:

• Mitigated GHG emissions;
• Ecosystem restoration;
• Conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in productive landscapes.

Eligibility

The call is open to representative institutions, organizations, networks or funding mechanisms of Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities operating in GEF-eligible countries. Potential partners will also be screened for funding eligibility based on GEF and WWF-US safeguards and compliance standards, including UN, US, and other applicable laws and criteria.

Partners are expected to have:

• Strong mechanisms for consultation and accountability with the Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities that they represent or serve.
• Demonstrable institutional capacity and experience in effectively managing projects and grants, and adequate institutional capacity and experience distributing and disbursing funds to members, communities or partners working on the ground.
• Experience in supporting or implementing on-the-ground projects determined by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities.
• Experience facilitating inclusion of women and youth in such work.

How to Apply

The deadline for submission of Expressions of Interest is June 30 2025.

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Financial Inclusion Others