Call for Nominations for a Civil Society Organization (CSO) Representative to the National Steering Committee of the GEF Small Grants Programme in the Philippines

Established in 1992, the GEF Small Grants Programme embodies the very essence of sustainable development by “thinking globally, acting locally“. By providing financial and technical support to projects that conserve and restore the environment while enhancing people’s well-being and livelihoods, SGP demonstrates that community action can maintain the fine balance between human needs and environmental imperatives.

The Eighth Operational Phase of the Small Grants Programme (SGP8) builds on more than 30 years of successfully empowering local civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) to design and lead community-driven initiatives. The overall objective of SGP8 is to engage local CSOs and CBOs in implementing integrated landscape and seascape approaches at the local level. These efforts aim to enhance well-being and socio-economic conditions while generating global environmental benefits.

Building on the gains and partnerships established under SGP7, SGP8 will continue supporting existing landscape initiatives while expanding coverage in Aurora, Quezon Province, Calamian Group of Islands, Catubig Watershed in Samar, expanding to Cluster 6 River Basin (Catarman Watershed, Pambujan Watershed, Bantayan Watershed, and Camparangan Watershed), Siargao Island Protected Landscape and Seascape, expanding to Surigao del Norte; and Catanduanes Province.

The Programme is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by Forest Foundation Philippines, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources Biodiversity Management Bureau (DENR-BMB). It will be implemented until October 2028.

The Programme is guided by the GEF SGP National Steering Committee (NSC), its principal decision-making body. The NSC provides strategic direction and oversight to ensure that the Programme remains responsive to national priorities and aligned with the objectives of the GEF Small Grants Programme. It is a multi-sectoral body composed of representatives from government agencies and civil society organizations who serve fixed terms, independent of the Programme’s operational phases.

To strengthen the NSC and support the effective implementation of SGP8, Forest Foundation Philippines is opening this Call for Nominations for qualified representatives from civil society organizations (CSOs) to serve as members of the GEF SGP National Steering Committee.

The National Steering Committee (NSC) serves as the main decision-making body of the SGP at the country level, and provides overall oversight, guidance, and direction to the Country Programme. The NSC composition and operation will conform to the SGP Operational Guidelines. The NSC principal roles and responsibilities include the following: 

1. Provide overall guidance and strategic direction for the Country Programme, including the development, implementation, periodic review, and revision of the SGP Country Programme Strategy (CPS).
2. Review and approve project proposals in accordance with the CPS, ensuring participatory, democratic, impartial, and transparent decision-making processes consistent with the SGP Operational Guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures.
3. Ensure the technical and substantive quality of SGP grants, as well as the actual or potential administrative and financial capacity of CSO grant recipients.
4. Provide technical oversight and support for project implementation at the country level in accordance with the SGP Project Document (ProDoc), including project monitoring, evaluation, and field visits.
5. Align SGP operations with relevant global, regional, and national GEF policies and strategies, as well as other co-financing arrangements.
6. Support partnership development and resource mobilization efforts at both the project and country levels.
7. Promote the scaling up of successful SGP approaches and lessons learned by integrating them into national development planning and policymaking.
8. Ensure the meaningful representation and participation of Indigenous Peoples (IPs) covered by the Country Programme across all relevant SGP8 activities and governance processes.
9. Establish and oversee the implementation of an institution-wide Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) to address concerns raised by potentially affected communities and stakeholders.
10. Review and approve the SGP8 work plan, financial plan, and operations manual.
11. Perform other functions and responsibilities as provided in the SGP Project Document.

The NSC non-government member must have high credibility and wide experience of working with CSOs, CBOs, and indigenous peoples in the country and can thus represent the needs and interests of the constituency in committee discussions. 

A strong, experienced, and technically competent civil society representation on the NSC is crucial as a means of keeping the SGP responsive to its mandate to work with the CSOs, CBOs, and indigenous people. These members must also have the requisite knowledge of GEF Focal Areas, particularly on renewable energy, low carbon energy, chemicals and waste management, and integrated urban solutions. 

Existing knowledge of GEF-specific themes, including gender, monitoring and evaluation, and knowledge management is preferred. With proven competence in grant-management, implementation, monitoring and evaluation, and in providing technical assistance and capacity building to CBOs and CSOs. 

The CSO NSC member serves for a period of three (3) years, from 2026-2029, with a possibility of a one-time renewal. The term of appointment of the NSC member would be no more than two terms in a consecutive manner, unless approved by the Upgraded Country Programme Global Coordinator on an exceptional basis. 

A single National Steering Committee shall be maintained for all operational phases of the GEF Small Grants Programme, including any concurrent or overlapping phases.  

Participation  in the NSC is voluntary, without monetary compensation. Any related travel costs for field site visits are covered and provided by the SGP Country Operational Budget (COB) as these are relevant and should be reflected as part of the annual work plan and COB planning exercise. 

An NSC member who does not participate in three consecutive meetings, without citing a valid reason, may not be considered for rotation or renewal. The Final decision is endorsed by the Upgraded Country Programme  Global Coordinator, and a letter to the outgoing member should be signed by the UNDP Resident Representative. 

The objectivity, transparency and credibility of the NSC is of paramount importance to the success of the SGP Country Programme, and to maintaining good relations among stakeholders. As a general rule, SGP Country Programmes cannot consider proposals associated with organizations of sitting NSC members. A CSO may nonetheless submit proposals when the associated NSC member has finished the term of service and is no longer on the Committee. On an exceptional basis, based on approval by the SGP Global Manager, CSOs with members in the NSC can submit proposals.

In accordance with the UN rules on ethical conduct, all members of the NSC must declare any conflict of interests, actual, or potential, with respect to concepts or proposals submitted for consideration. All NSC members must sign a Declaration of Conflict of Interest (COI) statement at the time of the appointment, as well as for each sitting of the NSC which reviews and approves projects. A conflict of interest may involve a range of circumstances including, among other things: 

• The presence of relatives or family members connected with the proposal; 
• A financial or personal interest in the applicant organization; and 
• Political, reputational, and/or other ethical considerations.

One (1) slot is available for a Civil Society Organization (CSO) representative to the National Steering Committee. 

Interested individuals must submit the following documents:

1. Signed letter of endorsement from the head of nominating institution;
2. Signed letter of intent from the nominee expressing their interest in serving as an NSC member; and
3. Curriculum vitae of the nominee. 

Applications shall be addressed to Atty. Jose Andres A. Canivel, Executive Director, Forest Foundation Philippines and submitted via email to sgp8@forestfoundation.ph on or before August 12, 2026.  

Should you have any additional question or concerns, please contact: 

SGP8 Project Management Unit

Forest Foundation Philippines 

2F Valderrama Bldg., 107 Esteban St., Legaspi Village 1229 Makati City, Philippines
Phone: (+632) 8891-0595; (+632) 8864-0287
Email: sgp8@forestfoundation.ph 

Office Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.