Download the PDF version here. Submit your concept note here.
Background and Objectives
In the past two decades, Forest Foundation Philippines exhibited success in initiating and scaling-up mangrove conservation projects all over the country. Under the Results Framework 2023-2027, its grant-making program on mangrove conservation continued, employing a sustainable forest landscape approach in its four focal landscapes. With this, mangrove conservation projects were supported to protect and sustainably manage the forests for water, land productivity, and biodiversity — with the overarching goal of sustaining ecosystem services and forest-related climate action.
Within its focal landscapes, mangrove conservation grants can be located along the coasts of Aurora, Palawan, Samar/Leyte, and Misamis Oriental. On the other hand, grants were also provided to support scaling up mangrove conservation projects outside of its focal landscapes. Gaining from the experience and lessons learned, there is a great potential to replicate the best practices on mangrove conservation, management, and restoration in other coastal areas within the Foundation’s four focal landscapes.
For the remaining years of the Results Framework implementation, the Foundation is seeking proposals from qualified organizations to implement mangrove conservation, management, and restoration projects within and outside the Foundation’s focal landscapes.
Geographic Scope and Objectives
This Request for Proposals will prioritize the conservation, management, and restoration of mangroves in the following areas:
- Mangrove forests geographically located in the focal landscapes of the Foundation:
- Sierra Madre: Aurora, Cagayan, Isabela, and Quezon (REINA)
- Palawan (particularly in Bataraza, Rizal, Brooke’s Point, Quezon, Sofronio Española, Narra, and Aborlan)
- Samar, Eastern Samar, and Leyte
- Mindanao: Misamis Oriental
Project proposals may be linked with other past and/or existing projects and/or programs within the landscapes to establish a more participatory and coordinated strategy for mangrove restoration.
- Mangrove forests outside of the above focal landscapes, with potential for scaling-up conservation efforts:
- With past or existing projects funded by other development agencies and have potential for scaling-up if will be provided with additional technical assistance, funding, or co-funding;
- Scaling-up activities may include the following, but are not limited to: (a) replication of effective initiatives in areas adjacent- or contiguous to the past/existing project site; (b) strengthening of project and stakeholder capacities; and/or (c) strengthening of existing sustainable livelihoods for increased community and mangrove conservation benefits (existing livelihoods should have demonstrated as a working model for replication/expansion).
Eligible Activities
The grant will support eligible activities that can be implemented until June 30, 2027. Projects should be at levels commensurate with achieving measurable impact on large landscapes while maintaining accountability and efficacy. Project proposals must clearly provide information on their link with relevant management and/or development plans/frameworks (e.g. CRMF for areas with CBFMAs, Protected Area management plan, and/or ADSDPP or CDP). Proposed project interventions must clearly address identified needs and threats to the forest and the associated ecosystem services.
The following activities are eligible for fund support:
- Activities that will protect and restore mangrove forests
- Participatory, threat-based, and multisectoral mangrove forest protection;
- Science-based and participatory rehabilitation of Abandoned, Undeveloped and Underutilized (AUU) areas for fishpond purposes, restoration, and enhancement of appropriate management zones;
- Establishment of alternative/sustainable sources of materials that will reduce pressure to the mangroves;
- Following the sustainable livelihoods approach and consistent with the manner of protecting the forests, activities that will improve communities’ livelihoods and incentives
- Product development and diversification (e.g. aquasilviculture integrated in mangroves, ecotourism, etc.);
- Market-linkaging and partnership-building with the government agencies and private sector;
- Training, mentoring, and peer-to-peer learning to build communities’ livelihoods-related capacities (e.g. budgeting, planning, financial management, etc.)
- Activities that will strengthen cross-sectoral partnerships for sustainable mangrove forest management
- Participatory mangrove management (or as part of the integrated coastal resources management);
- Capacity building for CSOs and communities involved in mangrove conservation; and
- Activities that will enhance knowledge, knowledge management, and strategic communications on mangrove conservation
- Co-development and dissemination of knowledge products and communication materials that will increase stakeholders’ awareness (e.g. publications, IEC).
Eligible Recipients
- Non-governmental, peoples, indigenous peoples, professional, socio-civic, and community organizations;
- Other appropriate local or regional entities active in the Philippines
Priority will be given to entities that can operate and work with the local communities in the priority geographic scope. Project implementation can also be done through integrated projects by one Civil Society Organization (CSO) or several CSOs in a consortium agreeing to perform or achieve particular outputs in support of common project outcomes.
Funding Allocation and Grant Categories
Grant proposal may be up to PhP 3M of total project cost, with a minimum of one year project implementation. Projects under this grant category shall deliver specific output/s that will contribute to at least two target outcomes as stated in the Foundation’s Results Framework.
Counterpart funding from the proponent, partners, and other donor institutions and projects/programs is highly encouraged.
Proposal Evaluation
The selection of projects for funding is a competitive process. The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
| CRITERIA | GUIDE QUESTIONS |
| 1. Design | Are the objectives, methods and outcomes coherent? |
| 2. Capacity | Can the proponents successfully implement the project? |
| 3. Impact | To what extent will the project contribute to forest restoration and ecosystem recovery? |
| 4. Relevance | How relevant is the project to the target group and the community? |
| 5. Efficiency | Will the project be implemented in a timely and cost-effective manner? |
| 6. Sustainability | Can the project be scaled up, replicated or institutionalized after its implementation? |
Forest Foundation encourages community and stakeholders’ participation in project proposal development. During the proposal review process, Forest Foundation may conduct site validation, communities’/stakeholders’ consultation, and request documents/information as needed.
Timeline and Application Procedure
| Activities | Tentative Dates |
| Submission of Concept Note | March 7, 2025 |
| Information Session,individual consultations, and mentoring (will be arranged upon submission of the Concept Notes) | March 17, to April 4, 2025 Check the Foundation’s website (www.forestfoundation.ph) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/forestfoundationph/) regularly for updates. |
| Deadline of Submission of Full Proposal | April 30, 2025 |
| Evaluation of Proposals | May to June 2025 |
| Announcement of Results and Start of Project Implementation | As early as June 2025 |
The Concept Note template can be downloaded through the links below:
Eligible entities can submit the accomplished Concept Notes on or before the deadline through the following link.
Information Sessions and mentoring will serve as venues for the Forest Foundation to discuss its grant programs in detail, as well as provide technical assistance to eligible organizations and/or individuals who would like to enhance and strengthen their concept and/or ideas of a project for possible funding. Depending on the nature and number of Concept Notes that will be received by the Foundation, the Information Sessions may be organized in the landscapes. Please check the Foundation’s website and social media pages for regular updates.
Full Proposal Submission
Upon determination of the merit of the Concept Note, the Proponent may be invited to submit a full proposal. Proponents that will be eligible for submission of full proposals under Large and/or Medium Grants shall include detailed activity and budget plan for the first year; and indicative activity and budget plan for the succeeding years. Large Landscape Grants proposals shall have a clear phase-out/sustainability plan.
- Full proposal templates can be downloaded through https://grants.forestfoundation.ph and/or requested by sending email to proposals@forestfoundation.ph.
- Eligible entities must submit their full proposals through the grant portal: https://grants.forestfoundation.ph/
Contact
Should you have additional questions or concerns, please contact:
Forest Foundation Philippines
2F Valderrama Bldg., 107 Esteban St., Legaspi Village 1229 Makati City, Philippines
Phone: (+63 2) 8891 0595; (+63 2) 8864 0287
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