Applications Invited for Support Programme for biodiversity Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) active in developing countries (ProBioDev)

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About the Organization

The French Committee of the IUCN is the network of organizations and experts of the international union for conservation of nature in france.

The French Committee of the IUCN currently brings together 2 ministries, 7 public establishments, 6 local authorities and 61 non-governmental organizations, as well as a network of more than 250 experts gathered within thematic commissions and working groups.

About the Grant  

ProBioDev: a Programme dedicated to the conservation of biodiversity and the strengthening of strategic partnerships between French CSOs and CSOs in developing countries.

The fight against the erosion of biodiversity is a major global concern. Civil society organisations (CSOs) play a central role in international conservation efforts: they are essential partners in achieving the global objective of halting and reversing the loss of biodiversity, as defined in the new Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) adopted in Montreal in 2022. In line with the global mission defined by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the IUCN French Committee (IUCN FC) is actively committed to contributing to the conservation of biodiversity and the sustainable and equitable management of natural resources in developing countries.

To this end, the IUCN FC officially launched the Support Programme for biodiversity Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) active in developing countries (ProBioDev) in February 2024, supported by the French Development Agency (AFD), the Audemars Piguet Foundation for Trees, the Fondation de France, the Manthano Foundation, the Egis Foundation, the French Biodiversity Agency (OFB) and the Maisons du Monde Foundation. This programme aims to improve the state of biodiversity in developing countries (DC) through civil society action and capacity building initiatives. To accomplish this goal, the programme is structured around three components: 1) a grant initiative dedicated to « mesoprojects » 1 led by partnerships between French CSOs and local CSOs, 2) coordination of a Working Group composed of French biodiversity actors active in developing countries and 3) capacity building activities for CSOs and their partnerships.

The grant initiative is committed to improve the state of biodiversity in developing countries by providing financial support for nature conservation projects led by French and DC civil society organisations. The programme will support alliance strategies and the development of equitable and mutually supportive partnerships to meet the challenges of biodiversity in the South. Within this framework, the CSOs supported through the grant initiative will also benefit from organisational and technical support as well as the strengthening of their partnerships, thereby increasing their added value and the sustainability of their actions. This approach aims to increase the capacity of biodiversity CSOs to act in favour of international cooperation to respond to local and global biodiversity issues, while targeting the objectives defined in the GBF and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this context, this first call for proposals opens today, April 9 th, 2024, with the objective of funding and implementing field projects focusing on biodiversity conservation and/or Nature-based Solutions (NbS). These projects will be implemented in developing countries by partnerships made up of a French civil society organisation and a local civil society organization.

With a total budget ranging from a minimum of €100 000 to a maximum of €250 000.

Eligibility

This call is intended for CSOs interested in implementing partnership projects involving two nonprofit organisations, one registered in France (French CSO) and the other one in a developing country (local CSO), which must have been established for at least two years. If the project leader is a local CSO, then the main partner must be a French CSO. Conversely, if the project leader is a French CSO, then the main partner must be a local CSO. While formalising this partnership is not mandatory, it is essential to demonstrate the complementarity and added value it offers, emphasising any prior collaboration, cooperation, or dialogue, along with its alignment with the project’s objectives. A CSO may submit a maximum of two grant applications (with two different partners), one as project leader and one as main partner. It should be noted that depending on the total number of proposals received during the call for proposals, and thus depending on the selection pressure, only one of the two proposals may be retained if two requests are submitted. The grants are awarded to CSOs established under the following legal statuses:

• For French CSOs:
• A French association operating under the law of 1901, or a non-profit association governed by the local law in Alsace Moselle involved in international solidarity actions;
• A trade union under French law (law of 21 March 1884), engaged in international solidarity actions;
• A French foundation recognised as serving the public interest, implementing international solidarity initiatives.
• For local CSOs:
• A non-profit association or non-governmental organisation, established in compliance with the prevailing national legislation of a country eligible for official development assistance (ODA), with autonomous governance, independent of national governments, the private sector and any international organisation;
• An office, branch, subsidiary, etc. of a French or international organisation in a developing country is not eligible as a local CSO.

Eligible countries: -

Projects are eligible if the field activities are carried out in a country eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA), according to the list established by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Priority will be given to projects located in Africa, representing 50% of the overall budget allocation. The call is also open to ongoing initiatives: clear articulation of the various funding sources will be required in this case.

It is important to note that the use of French public funds at the time of project award and during the implementation of activities will be subject to the absence of restrictions from the French government, which may vary depending on geopolitical events.

Eligible themes: -

Eligible themes for project financing will include actions of: -

• Biodiversity conservation and/or
• Nature-based Solutions (NbS) that specifically target the challenges of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

Projects must also contribute to improve living conditions for local populations.

How to Apply

To respond to the call for proposals, the grant application form and its annexes must be completed in French or English and sent by email to probiodev@uicn.fr by May 26 th , 2024 (11:59 PM CEST) . Requests for clarification can be submitted until May 21, 2024.

Documents to apply: -

• Competition regulations
• Grant application form

For more information please check the Link

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Tags Environment and Sustainability Innovations and Technology Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Others