GEF Grants for Community-Based Conservation Initiatives (Sri Lanka)

Deadline: 09-Oct-26

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP 2.0) in Sri Lanka provides grants and technical support to local civil society and community-based organisations working on biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable livelihoods. The programme empowers local communities and civil society organisations to lead conservation efforts while improving community well-being and livelihood opportunities. Grants of up to $60,000 (approximately LKR 19,700,000) are available for eligible community-led initiatives.

About the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP 2.0)

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP 2.0) in Sri Lanka is designed to strengthen the role of local organisations and communities in conserving threatened species and ecosystems. The programme supports community-led action that contributes to national and global environmental priorities and relevant Multilateral Environmental Agreements. SGP 2.0 also aims to develop a vibrant and inclusive network of Sri Lankan civil society organisations working to conserve and restore biodiversity while supporting sustainable livelihoods. The programme is implemented by Conservation International, with the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund serving as the Executing Agency and the IUCN Sri Lanka Country Office serving as the National Executing Agency. How Does SGP 2.0 Support Communities? The programme emphasises inclusive conservation by strengthening the participation of local organisations and communities in environmental decision-making and practical conservation activities. Support is intended to connect biodiversity protection with tangible benefits for local communities. The programme particularly focuses on increasing opportunities and benefits for: - Women. - Youth. - Persons with disabilities. - Marginalised communities. - Local civil society organisations. - Community-based organisations. - Indigenous Peoples’ organisations. What Activities Are Supported? SGP 2.0 supports initiatives that contribute to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource management, and improved livelihoods.

Priority actions include:

- Restoration of degraded forests and forest land. - Improved management of landscapes outside protected areas to benefit biodiversity. - Identification and management of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). - Conservation and restoration of threatened species and ecosystems. - Community-led activities that provide tangible livelihood benefits. - Initiatives that strengthen local participation in environmental decision-making and action. Projects should contribute to relevant national and global environmental priorities. How Much Funding Is Available? Eligible organisations can apply for grants of up to $60,000, equivalent to approximately LKR 19,700,000. The funding is intended to support community-led initiatives that contribute to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, sustainable livelihoods, and relevant environmental priorities. Who Can Apply? Eligible applicants include local civil society and community-based organisations working in the programme’s target geographic areas.

Eligible organisation types include:

- Non-governmental organisations (NGOs). - Community-based organisations (CBOs). - Indigenous Peoples’ organisations. - Women’s organisations. - Youth organisations. - Other civil society organisations. Applicants should demonstrate a clear connection to the programme’s conservation and community development priorities. Where Can Organisations Apply From? The programme has a specific geographic focus in Sri Lanka. Eligible organisations must be operating in the following districts: - Nuwara Eliya. - Kegalle. - Ratnapura. - Galle. - Matara. The geographic focus extends from the Central Highlands towards south-western Sri Lanka. Organisations working in these areas can seek support for initiatives that align with SGP 2.0’s biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihood priorities. Focus on Biodiversity Conservation A central objective of SGP 2.0 is to enable local organisations and communities to take an active role in protecting biodiversity. The programme supports efforts to conserve threatened species, restore degraded ecosystems, and improve the management of landscapes both within and outside protected areas. By strengthening local participation, the programme seeks to ensure that conservation action is connected to the needs and knowledge of communities. Focus on Sustainable Livelihoods SGP 2.0 recognises the importance of linking environmental conservation with community well-being. Supported initiatives can deliver tangible livelihood benefits while contributing to the conservation and restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems. The programme places particular emphasis on ensuring that women, youth, persons with disabilities, and marginalised communities can benefit from conservation and livelihood activities. Inclusive and Community-Led Conservation The programme promotes an inclusive approach in which local organisations and communities participate directly in environmental decision-making and conservation action. This approach helps strengthen the capacity of local civil society actors while building a broader network of organisations working towards biodiversity conservation in Sri Lanka. SGP 2.0 also encourages participation from Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, women’s groups, youth organisations, and other community-focused civil society actors. Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures One of the programme’s priority actions is the identification and management of Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). These areas can contribute to biodiversity conservation even when they are not formally designated as protected areas. Supporting the identification and management of OECMs can therefore help strengthen biodiversity protection across wider landscapes. Contribution to Environmental Priorities Projects s