Applications Invited for Medium-Size Grants Call for Proposals Global EbA Fund

About the Organization

The Global EbA Fund is a funding mechanism for supporting innovative approaches to Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA). Led by IUCN and UNEP, the IKI-supported Fund is structured to support catalytic initiatives to help to overcome identified barriers to upscaling EbA. Furthermore, it is expected that the Fund will address the gaps in knowledge and planning for EbA, as well as to increase access to public and private funding for catalytic adaptation interventions. The Fund will prioritize filling in resourcing and knowledge gaps with a broad thematic focus on innovation and urgency, thus encouraging creative solutions and partnerships among funding applicants and the wider EbA community. By supporting catalytic interventions, the Fund will address research gaps, pilot innovative EbA approaches, engage in strategic EbA policy mainstreaming, and incentivise innovative finance mechanisms and private sector EbA investment.

About the Proposal

The Global EbA Fund invites proposals under its General Track: Strategic Scaling and Global Influence, seeking collaborative and innovative approaches to advancing Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) by addressing systemic barriers to scalability and contributing to global learning and policy dialogue. Initiatives should strengthen enabling environments and embed EbA into national frameworks that unify climate, biodiversity, land, and development priorities. Alignment with one of three priority topics is welcomed but not mandatory:

Priority Topics:

• Innovative Finance Solutions for EbA — partnerships with private sector actors (financiers, innovators, local champions) to unlock private capital/blended finance for EbA, evolving EbA into profitable, scalable business models
• EbA for Human Development and Security — integrating EbA into national/international security frameworks for fragile and conflict-affected contexts; community co-designed interventions that reduce natural resource-related tensions and climate-induced fragility, bridging adaptation, humanitarian, development, and peacebuilding agendas
• Interlinkages for People-Nature-Climate-Land Synergies — strengthening operational links across the Rio Conventions (UNFCCC, CBD, UNCCD) and frameworks like the Sendai Framework on DRR, using EbA as the anchor connecting biodiversity, sustainable land management, climate adaptation, and disaster risk reduction

Grant Size: Up to USD 500,000 per grant

Project Duration: Up to 24 months

Eligible Applicant Types:

• Non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
• International NGOs (INGOs)
• Intergovernmental organisations (IGOs)
• Community-based organisations (CBOs)
• Indigenous People's Organisations
• Universities and academic institutions
• Research institutes and think tanks
• Private sector companies (under certain conditions)
• Consortia (must designate a clear lead "Applicant Organisation"; government entities may join but cannot receive Fund money directly)

Note: Individuals are not eligible; UNEP and IUCN offices are also not eligible.

Eligibility

• Must qualify as Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) per the Fund's Qualification Criteria & Quality Standards
• Must show catalytic/innovative potential
• Must clearly identify climate impacts addressed
• Falls under max 1 Strategic Objective and max 2 Action Pillars of the Fund
• Global, thematic, or targets only ODA-eligible countries
• Budget up to USD 500,000; duration ≤24 months
• Must build on existing work (not standalone/field-implementation-only)
• Must show sustainability post-funding
• Must partner with local institutions
• Applicant & partners must be legally recognized entities with relevant experience
• Must comply with Due Diligence requirements

Evaluation Criteria (weighted):

• Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) approach — 30%
• Design & Methodology (Theory of Change, logframe, SMART indicators, budget coherence)
• Gender & Social Inclusion (participatory approach, FPIC for Indigenous Peoples' impact)
• Innovative & Catalytic Contribution — 30%
• Sustainability — 20%
• Institutional Arrangements — 20%

Reporting Requirement:

Applicants must identify at least 3 indicators from the Fund's Core Indicator Framework for their project's logframe.

How to Apply

• Official Launch of the Call for Proposal: 24 August 2026
• Application forms and details are available on the Global EbA Fund website.
• Submissions accepted through the online platform: 12 October to 16 November, 2026

For more information please check the Link: Applications Invited for Medium-Size Grants Call for Proposals Global EbA Fund

Tags Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Public Policy/ Policy Others