Initiatives Grant Program for Nature-Based Climate Solutions in Coastal (Vietnam)

UNDP Vietnam has launched a call for community idea proposals under the Smart Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change in Vietnam (VN-CSCC) project. The opportunity provides grants for nature-based climate solutions (NbCS) that strengthen the climate resilience of vulnerable coastal communities, with a particular focus on women, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. The total grant amount available per supported idea is up to VND 1 billion for organisations and VND 500 million for households or individuals. The deadline for submitting idea proposals is 06 October 2026, while each supported idea can be implemented for up to 24 months. The Smart Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change in Vietnam (VN-CSCC) project aims to strengthen the ability of vulnerable coastal communities to respond to climate change while supporting marine and coastal biodiversity. The community grants programme enables local groups and eligible community actors to develop and implement nature-based climate solutions and livelihood or business models that can contribute to climate adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development. The programme particularly focuses on strengthening the role of women in climate action, natural resource management, decision-making, implementation, and benefit sharing. The VN-CSCC project focuses on strengthening local capacity and supporting community-led climate action through several areas: The programme provides grant financing through a contribution model in which grant recipients are also expected to contribute to the project budget.

For organisations receiving grants:

For households or individuals receiving grants: The programme identifies several groups as direct idea proposers and potential recipients of financial support.

Eligible target groups include:

Other stakeholders can participate in developing and implementing community ideas, but they are not identified as direct grant recipients under the programme.

These stakeholders may include:

Their roles may include providing:

Participation as an adviser, technical supporter, or coordinator does not change the status of the eligible target group as the idea owner, proposer, and implementer. Gender equality and women’s leadership are important elements of the programme. The call prioritises proposals that demonstrate meaningful participation of women in: Initiatives that are led or owned by women are also prioritised. Applicants should therefore demonstrate how women will have substantive roles throughout the project rather than simply being included as beneficiaries. The programme focuses on nature-based climate solutions (NbCS) and community-led initiatives that strengthen coastal resilience and biodiversity.

Potential areas of focus include:

Supported initiatives should seek to generate combined benefits for communities, livelihoods, climate adaptation, and biodiversity conservation. A strong community idea should demonstrate how the proposed activities can help coastal communities respond to climate risks and extreme weather events. The programme also considers social and environmental benefits, including: The programme provides an opportunity for eligible community actors in coastal Vietnam to develop locally led responses to climate change. Its focus on nature-based climate solutions, women’s leadership, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation makes it relevant to organisations, cooperatives, businesses, households, and community groups working at the intersection of climate adaptation and sustainable natural resource management. The programme also encourages collaboration with technical agencies, universities, research institutions, and local authorities to strengthen the development and implementation of community ideas. Applicants should begin by reviewing the complete UNDP procurement notice and the accompanying application documents for Reference Number 98926.

The basic application process includes:

The available source provides information about the opportunity and deadline but does not contain the complete submission procedure. Applicants should therefore check the complete official procurement notice and accompanying documents for: The deadline stated in the available source is 06 October 2026, but the exact submission time and time zone are not specified. Applicants should carefully align their proposals with the programme’s stated objectives and requirements.

Important points to consider include:

What is the VN-CSCC Community Grant Programme? It is a community grant programme under UNDP Vietnam’s Smart Coastal Communities Adapting to Climate Change in Vietnam (VN-CSCC) project. It supports community ideas focused on nature-based climate solutions, coastal resilience, sustainable livelihoods, and biodiversity conservation. What is the maximum grant amount? Organisations can receive up to VND 1 billion, while households and individuals can receive up to VND 500 million per supported idea. What contribution is required from grant recipients? Organisations must contribute at least 50% of the project budget, while households and individuals must contribute at least 10%. Contributions can include cash, in-kind contributions, labour, or other eligible forms. Who can propose community ideas? Eligible groups include women-headed households, natural-resource-based businesses and enterprises, cooperatives, collective economic organisations, and community organisations working on sustainable natural resource use, biodiversity conservation, women’s participation, and community development. Are universities and research institutions eligible to receive the grants? The source identifies universities, research institutes, technical agencies, local authorities, and other relevant parties as supporting stakeholders that can provide advice, technical assistance, and coordination. They are not identified as direct grant recipient groups under the programme. What is the de