Call for Strategic Grants Proposals under the Eighth Operational Phase of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP8)

ABOUT SGP8

Established in 1992, the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) Small Grants Programme (SGP) has been working for decades in creating sustainable development grounded in its advocacy of “thinking globally, acting locally.”

Since its inception, the programme has supported 325 projects in the Philippines. Building on the 30 years of community-driven action and lessons from SGP5 and SGP7, SGP8, its upcoming operational cycle, ensures an effective project implementation that improves household well-being and socio-economic conditions while advancing natural resource conservation and biodiversity protection.

The main goal of the Eighth Operational Phase of GEF Small Grants Programme in the Philippines (SGP8) remains to center on its vision of engaging local civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in a landscape-seascape approach with an intent to further capacitate and empower their community-driven initiatives targeted to achieve three primary objectives of enhanced well-being; increased awareness and resilience and generated global environmental benefits. 

The Landscape-Seascape Approach delivers socio-economic benefits across diverse stakeholders by integrating solutions that bring together multiple stakeholders to address challenges in a holistic manner. It fosters mindful use of resources geared towards sustainability and continuous proper utilization of various ecosystem services through an inclusive, collaborative, and adaptive process guaranteeing resiliency towards change.

Aligned with the GEF Small Grants Programme 2.0, SGP8 supports youth, women, and indigenous peoples while strengthening CSOs and linking complementary mechanisms such as microfinance and multi-stakeholder engagement to amplify impact.

Funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), SGP8 will be implemented by Forest Foundation Philippines as its Project Management Unit, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Philippines and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB), until October 2028.

SGP8 STRATEGIC GRANTS

The Strategic Grant is a grant modality allocated to support initiatives that are considered high-priority or strategically aligned with national or global environmental objectives. These grants are usually awarded to projects that aim for significant and lasting impacts in key areas such as biodiversity conservation, climate change mitigation, and sustainable land and water management. 

Proposed Strategic Grant projects should align with the Philippine Government’s national priorities, goals and targets, specifically those specified in the Philippine Development Plan (PDP), Philippine Biodiversity Strategy Action Plan (PBSAP), Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (IPBSAP), National Adaptation Plan (NAP), and Nationally Determined Contribution Implementation Plan (NDCIP). It may also support initiatives that scale up successful projects or innovative approaches under SGP-7 with the potential to generate broader landscape-seascape level impact and contribute to wider local or national outcomes.

Proposed Strategic Grant projects should contribute to at least two (2) of the five (5) global strategic initiatives of the GEF Small Grants Programme: 

In addition to contributing to at least two (2) of the strategic initiatives above, proposed projects must also have the following components: CSO-Government-Private Sector Dialogue Platforms (SI#6), Enhancing Social Inclusion (SI#7), Knowledge Management (SI#8), and Monitoring and Evaluation (SI #9). 

ELIGIBLE PROJECTS

Proposed Strategic Grant projects should contribute to at least two (2) of the five (5) global strategic initiatives of the GEF Small Grants Programme. Eligible projects for each global strategic initiatives are as follows:  

1. Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species
   
   • Protection of Forest and Marine Ecosystems
     • Identification and initial rehabilitation of degraded habitats, protection of vital watersheds, conservation of key biodiversity areas (KBAs), safeguarding ecologically significant marine and coastal zones;
     • Establishment of new conservation areas and community-led management of ancestral waters;
     • Enhancement of local conservation areas (LCAs), and Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs);
     • Mobilization of community action groups, such as Forest and Water Watch teams to actively participate in monitoring, enforcement, and protection of natural resources;
     • Mainstreaming biodiversity goals, Nature-based Solutions (NbS), and the concept of circular economy into local development and investment planning and policy-making;
     • Harmonizing Comprehensive Land Use Plans (CLUPs) and Ancestral Domain Sustainable Development and Protection Plans (ADSDPPs) with species and ecosystem conservation priorities; and 
     • Establishment of biodiversity baselines and monitoring systems, including community-led resource assessments, participatory mapping, and wildlife surveys, to inform adaptive management.
       
   • Enhancement of Community Livelihoods
     • Capacity development and initial production for community-managed Biodiversity-Friendly Enterprises (BDFEs), sustainable livelihood ventures, and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) that support conservation outcomes such as:
       1. Sustainable harvesting of non-timber forest products (NTFPs), e.g., rattan, honey, medicinal plants;
       2. Biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices (BDFAP);
       3. Sustainable ecotourism that emphasizes low-impact tourism and local cultural heritage; and
       4. Sustainable fisheries and community-management of marine areas.
          
   • Community Empowerment
     • Strengthening governance and institutional frameworks, including forming or revitalizing CSOs/CBOs, and enhancing engagement in environmental law enforcement teams and/or landscape/seascape management commitments;
     • Empowerment of women, youth, IPs and other marginalized groups as front-runners and equal stakeholders in conservation planning, implementation, and benefit-sharing;
     • Capacity development on technical, organizational, financial, and governance skills for individual community members to CBOs and local institutions;
     • Creating or supporting community-based conservation networks, LGU alliances; and 
     • Communication, Education, and Public Awareness (CEPA) activities to enhance environmental literacy and mobilize broader societal support for biodiversity efforts.
       
2. Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security
   
   • Sustainable Agriculture and Food Production
     • Sustainable production intensification, crop diversification, and BDFAPs, including agroforestry which integrates growing trees with crops or livestock to improve soil health, increase biodiversity, reduce erosion, improve water retention, and provide extra income from timber, fruits, and other forest products;
     • Conservation and sustainable use of native and indigenous crops, which are often better adapted to local conditions, more resilient to presets and diseases, and help preserve agro-biodiversity while increasing local food security; and
     • Water-saving farming techniques such as drip irrigation, rainwater harvesting, mulching, and other soil conservation practices that reduce water usage and increase crop yields, particularly in water-scarce areas.
       
   • Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture
     • Sustainable eco-friendly aquaculture practices such as integrated multi-trophic aquaculture (IMTA), organic aquaculture, and use of eco-friendly fish feed to boost productivity while minimizing damage to water ecosystems, preventing overfishing, and reducing pressure on wild fish stocks; 
     • Climate-resilient technologies, such as drought-resistant crops, solar-powered irrigation systems, and biological pest control that allow communities to adapt to climate challenges while maintaining or improving production levels; and
     • Restoration of abandoned fishponds into mangroves.
       
   • Post-harvest and Value Addition
     • Sustainable or green post-harvest processing, packaging, and storage techniques that extend the shelf life of products, reduce waste, and increase their market value.

Note: These activities are applicable only to project proposals with existing grant projects under SGP7.

• Market Access and Livelihoods
  • Linking smallholder farmers and fishers to broader markets, including digital platforms, where they can access real-time information, fair pricing, and reliable buyers;
  • Business and financial training for smallholders, women, and youth entrepreneurs to run sustainable enterprises; and
  • Digital tools and e-commerce platforms that expand reach to local and national markets and increase profitability.

Note: These activities are applicable only to project proposals with existing grant projects under SGP7.

3. Local to global coalitions for chemicals and waste management
   
   • Creation of multisectoral local coalition(s) on chemicals and/or waste management that will champion policy reforms, training programs, and communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) campaigns;
   • Local policy reforms, strengthening waste collection and processing systems, and building partnerships among governments, communities, environmental agencies and the private sector;
   • Targeted communication, education, and public awareness (CEPA) campaigns that educate communities on environmental and health risks, encourage waste reduction practices, and engage youth, women, and local leaders to foster shared responsibility and sustainable behaviors;
   • Training programs that build community and institutional skills in waste management techniques and sustainable waste-based business models; and
   • Circular economy and waste-to-resource initiatives that transform waste into marketable products, creating jobs and income opportunities, especially for women, youth, IPs, and PWDs, while improving community cleanliness. 

Note: This Strategic Initiative is applicable only to project proposals in Calamianes Group of Islands or Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS).

4. Low Carbon Energy Access and Benefits
   
   • Formulation of local ordinances or guidelines that promote renewable energy adoption and encourage private-sector participation;
   • Strategic projects that work with local governments and stakeholders to incorporate renewable energy and energy efficiency into local development plans, align with national energy access policies, and leverage co-financing from government programs such as DOE, DOST, and other NGAs;
   • Deployment of efficient cookstoves, to reduce household air pollution, lower health risks, particularly respiratory illnesses in women and children, and significantly decrease demand for firewood and charcoal, helping curb deforestation;
   • Installation of solar-powered community facilities, such as barangay health stations, schools, and multi-purpose halls, to ensure that essential services remain functional during power outages and can operate sustainably with reduced electricity costs; and
   • Off-grid renewable energy systems, including solar home systems, microgrids, and solar-powered water pumping or irrigation systems for agriculture.
     
5. Catalyzing urban solutions
   
   • Interventions across key thematic areas such as sustainable waste and chemical management, clean and efficient energy systems, environmentally friendly transport options, protection and restoration of urban watersheds, and the conservation of ecosystem services and biodiversity within urban settings; and 
   • Strategic projects that forge strong public-private partnerships, particularly those that catalyze investments in low-carbon technologies and infrastructure. Projects that integrate innovative financing mechanisms, community participation, and private sector engagement will be encouraged, as they can demonstrate replicable models for inclusive and climate-resilient urban development.

PROJECT SITES

Strategic grant projects may be implemented in the following SGP8 project sites:

1. Aurora 
2. Quezon Province 
3. Catanduanes 
4. Cluster 6 River Basin in Samar (Catubig Watershed, Catarman Watershed, Pambujan Watershed, and Bantayan and Camparangan minor watersheds)
5. Calamianes Group of Islands
6. Surigao del Norte including Siargao Islands Protected Landscapes and Seascapes (SIPLAS)

This is a competitive call and a maximum of two (2) strategic grant proposals will be selected per landscape. Note that the proponent may only propose a project for one project site. 

ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

Eligible applicants for the Strategic Grant must be a non-government organization (NGO) that:

• Are duly registered and legally recognized under Philippine laws;
• Are actively working in, or directly involved with, the landscape where the proposed project will be implemented;
• Are actively engaged in the conservation and development of forest, coastal, and/or marine landscapes and its natural resources in the landscape;
• Have a proven track record of collaborative working with CSOs, NGOs, CBOs, government, private sector and other stakeholders in the landscape; and 
• Demonstrate adequate institutional, technical, and financial capacity to implement and manage the project. 

FUNDING ALLOCATION AND GRANT DURATION 

Strategic Grants projects may amount to up to US$150,000 or its peso equivalent. Projects will be implemented from November 2026 to April 2028.  One-to-one co-financing, either through in-kind contributions or mobilized investment, from the proponent, partners, or other donor institutions is required. 

TIMELINE AND APPLICATION PROCEDURE 

Activities	Dates
Approval and Release of Call for Proposals	August 13-14, 2026
Deadline of Submission of Full Proposal	September 4, 2026
Evaluation of Proposals	September to October 2026
Announcement of Results and Start of Project Implementation	Q4 2026

EVALUATION CRITERIA 

The proposals shall be evaluated based on the following considerations:

• Contribution to at least two (2) of the following strategic initiatives: (1) Community-based Conservation of Threatened Ecosystems and Species, (2) Sustainable Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food Security, (3) Local to Global Coalitions for Chemicals and Waste Management, (4) Low-Carbon Energy Access and Benefits, and (5) Catalyzing Urban Solutions;
  
• Integration of the following cross-cutting strategic approaches: (1) CSO-Government- Private Sector Policy and Planning Dialogue Platforms, (2) Enhancing Social Inclusion, (3) Knowledge Management, and (4) Monitoring and Evaluation.
  
• Technical soundness and feasibility, including the clarity and alignment of the proposed overall goal, specific objectives, target outputs or deliverables, activities, key indicators, and the likelihood of achieving the intended results;
  
• Financial soundness and feasibility, including the adequacy of funding and the use of realistic and justified cost estimates;
  
• Social soundness and feasibility, including the institutional arrangements required for project success, community support, potential security concerns, and compliance with free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC), if applicable;
  
• The ability of the proposing organization or institution to implement the project within the proposed timeline; and
  
• Sustainability of the project beyond SGP8 funding, including long-term capacity-building components for the community.

For proponents with ongoing or previous grant projects under SGP-7, their performance evaluation on these projects will be included in the evaluation criteria. 

FULL PROPOSAL SUBMISSION

Interested eligible proponents must submit a full proposal, including a detailed activity and budget plan for the first year and an indicative activity and budget plan for the remaining implementation period. 

• Download the full proposal templates through this link. 
• Full proposals must be submitted through the Forest Foundation’s grant portal: https://grants.forestfoundation.ph.

CONTACT

Should you have additional questions or concerns, please contact: