Call for Proposals: SGP CSO Innovation Challenge Grant Program

Deadline: 15-Sep-2026

The SGP CSO Innovation Challenge Program supports civil society organizations with proven environmental solutions that are ready to scale or replicate successful approaches across eligible countries in Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific and Oceania. Selected organizations can receive grants of up to US$300,000, along with technical, institutional, and capacity-building support to expand environmental impact. What Is the SGP CSO Innovation Challenge Program? The SGP CSO Innovation Challenge Program is designed to identify and support civil society organizations that have already developed effective environmental solutions and are ready to take those solutions to a larger scale. The program combines grant funding with capacity development and technical support to help organizations: Scale successful environmental projects. Replicate proven solutions in new communities or countries. Share knowledge and lessons with other organizations. Increase measurable environmental and community benefits. The program particularly values solutions that combine environmental protection with social inclusion, innovation, partnerships, and community empowerment. How Much Funding Is Available?

Selected grantees can receive up to:

US$300,000 per project Projects can run for a maximum of 24 months. All proposed activities and expected results must be completed within the approved grant period. In addition to financial support, selected finalists can receive programmatic and institutional assistance designed to improve their ability to scale their work and attract additional funding or investment. What Are the Priority Areas? Applicants must align their projects with one of five priority environmental areas. Threatened Ecosystems and Species Projects may focus on conserving threatened ecosystems, protecting endangered species, improving community-based conservation, and strengthening sustainable management of natural resources. Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security This area supports solutions that promote environmentally sustainable agriculture, food security, resilient farming systems, and improved natural resource management. Low-Carbon Energy Access Projects can address access to clean and low-carbon energy while supporting sustainable livelihoods and reducing environmental impacts. Chemicals and Waste This priority area covers innovative approaches to waste management, pollution reduction, chemicals management, recycling, and circular or environmentally sustainable production systems. Sustainable Urban Solutions Projects may address environmental challenges associated with urban development, including sustainable resource use, climate resilience, pollution reduction, and community-based urban solutions. Applicants should demonstrate what is innovative about their existing solution and explain why the approach has potential to work at a larger scale or in another context. Who Is Eligible? Eligible applicants are civil society organizations (CSOs) that meet the program requirements and are directly responsible for implementing the proposed project. Organizations must be legally authorized to receive charitable contributions and must be responsible for implementing the proposed activities. Projects must be implemented in GEF SGP-eligible recipient countries within the program’s eligible regions: Africa. Latin America and the Caribbean. Asia-Pacific and Oceania. Are Governments Eligible? Governments may participate in project activities and partnerships, but governments cannot receive the grant funding directly. The civil society organization must remain the eligible grant recipient and directly responsible for implementation. What Makes a Project a Strong Fit? The program is intended for organizations that already have a proven environmental solution, rather than projects that are still at the very early idea stage.

A strong proposal should demonstrate:

Evidence of previous results. Measurable environmental benefits. A credible scale-up or replication model. Strong community participation. Potential for broader impact.

Partnerships with relevant stakeholders

Organizational capacity to implement the project. A clear pathway to sustainability. Potential to mobilize additional resources. The proposal should clearly explain what has already worked, why it worked, and how the solution can produce greater impact. Focus on Women, Youth and Indigenous Peoples The program strongly encourages projects involving: Applicants should explain how these groups will participate in project design, implementation, decision-making, or benefit-sharing. Projects that combine environmental outcomes with meaningful social inclusion can demonstrate stronger alignment with the program’s objectives. Why This Program Matters Many environmental solutions demonstrate success at a local level but struggle to reach larger populations because organizations lack financing, technical expertise, partnerships, or institutional capacity. The SGP CSO Innovation Challenge Program addresses this scaling gap. The program can help proven solutions move from successful local implementation to broader replication and impact by combining financial resources with capacity development, technical assistance, knowledge exchange, and partnership building. Co-Financing and Additional Resources Co-financing is not mandatory, but applicants are encouraged to demonstrate existing or potential co-financing commitments. Applicants should also show how the project could mobilize additional resources after or during the grant period.

This could include:

Additional donor funding. Government partnerships. Private-sector investment. Philanthropic support. Community contributions. Other financing mechanisms. A credible resource-mobilization strategy can strengthen the case for long-term sustainability. How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Country Eligibility

Check that the proposed project will be implemented in a country eligibl