Apply Now: Locally Led Adaptation Grants (Ghana)

The Locally Led Adaptation (LLA) Grants support organizations, community groups, social entrepreneurs, individuals, and other local actors in Ghana to develop climate-resilient solutions for water justice and resource protection. The grants prioritize locally led climate adaptation and practical projects that improve water security, protect water resources, strengthen livelihoods, and build community resilience. Applicants can request up to GHS 70,000 from the CRWFM for eligible activities, including climate-resilient water infrastructure, water conservation, watershed restoration, climate-smart livelihoods, WASH enterprises, tree planting, and pollution prevention. What Are the Locally Led Adaptation Grants? The Locally Led Adaptation Grants are a major funding stream of the CRWFM focused on enabling communities closest to climate and water-related challenges to design and implement their own adaptation solutions. The programme recognizes that local communities often have direct knowledge of: The grant therefore emphasizes locally led climate action, community participation, and practical interventions that address water justice challenges in Ghana. What Is the Main Focus of the Grants? Projects must have a clear climate rationale and address the protection, security, availability, or sustainable use of water resources. Funded projects should demonstrate how climate change affects the identified problem and explain how the proposed intervention will improve community resilience.

Priority areas include:

Climate-resilient water infrastructure. Water conservation. Water-use efficiency. Climate-resilient WASH services. Watershed protection. Watershed restoration. Climate-smart livelihoods. Sustainable livestock management. Dry-season farming. Community tree planting. Water pollution prevention. Water contamination control. Why Do the Locally Led Adaptation Grants Matter? Climate change is increasing pressure on water resources and creating challenges for communities that depend directly on local water systems. Locally led adaptation allows communities to develop solutions based on their own environmental conditions and practical needs. The programme therefore connects climate adaptation, water justice, community resilience, and sustainable resource management. What Is Water Justice? Water justice refers to fair and equitable access to safe and sustainable water resources while protecting communities and ecosystems that depend on those resources. In the context of these grants, water justice can involve: Improving access to reliable water. Protecting community water sources. Reducing climate-related water insecurity. Preventing water contamination. Improving water-use efficiency. Supporting communities that face disproportionate water-related risks. Protecting watersheds and natural water systems. Projects should demonstrate how their proposed activities contribute to practical improvements in water security and resource protection. What Projects Can the Grants Support? The Locally Led Adaptation Grants can support a wide range of climate-resilient water and livelihood interventions. Climate-Resilient Water Infrastructure Projects can focus on constructing or rehabilitating water infrastructure that is better able to withstand climate-related risks. Watersheds are important for maintaining water availability and ecosystem health. Eligible interventions can include activities designed to: Protect watersheds. Restore degraded areas. Improve ecosystem resilience. Reduce threats to water sources. Strengthen community stewardship of water resources. Climate-Smart Livelihoods Funding can support livelihoods that are better adapted to climate-related risks.

This can include:

Climate-smart agriculture. Resilient livestock management. Water-efficient livelihood activities. Alternative income-generating activities. Practices that reduce pressure on water resources. Small-Scale Dry-Season Farming The programme can support small-scale farming during dry seasons where the proposed intervention demonstrates a clear connection to climate adaptation and sustainable water management. The broad eligibility reflects the programme’s emphasis on locally led adaptation rather than limiting participation to conventional non-governmental organizations. What Are MMDAs? MMDAs refers to Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies in Ghana. Local government authorities can therefore participate where their proposed activities meet the programme’s requirements and contribute to locally led climate adaptation and water justice. What Is the Maximum Grant Amount? The maximum amount that can be requested from the CRWFM under the Locally Led Adaptation Grants is: GHS 70,000 Applicants should ensure that their proposed budget is realistic, justified, and directly connected to eligible project activities. What Makes a Project Suitable for Funding? A strong project should address both climate adaptation and water-related challenges. Applicants should emphasize the programme’s core principles rather than presenting a conventional infrastructure or development project.

A strong proposal should demonstrate:

Local leadership: Communities are actively involved in decision-making.

Climate relevance: The project directly responds to climate risks.

Water justice: The intervention improves fair and sustainable access to water.

Practicality: Activities can realistically be implemented.

Community ownership: Local people have responsibility for implementation and sustainability.

Inclusion: Women, youth, and underserved groups are meaningfully involved.

Environmental sustainability: The project protects rather than degrades water resources.

Measurable impact: Results can be monitored and demonstrated.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Proposing a project with no clear climate rationale. Focusing on general development without addressing water resources. Treating the grant purely as an infrastructure funding opportunity. F