Read the full Request for Proposals (RFP) for Thematic Grants:
Learn more about the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions (Nbs) for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS) grants here: pcp4nbs.forestfoundation.ph/grants
Register for the Virtual Information Session on April 30, 2025, 10 AM via Zoom:
| Theme | Question | Answer |
| Scope and priorities | What are sites covered under Thematic Grants? | Thematic grants are open to NbS projects located in areas and sites anywhere in the Philippines with rich biodiversity and high climate vulnerability |
| If vulnerability and risk assessments and gender-based analysis are not yet available at your project site, can other existing studies and assessments (i.e. Documentation, research, and technical reports) be considered? | The Program shall prioritize NbS proposals that are supported by existing baseline assessments and studies, such as vulnerability and risk assessment, biodiversity assessment, and gender-based analysis. If such assessments are not yet available for the proposed site, other available studies, documentation, or reports may be used to establish and substantiate the site selection and choice of gender-responsive NbS. | |
| Eligible activities | What types of NbS projects qualify under Thematic Grants? | Thematic grants shall support projects that demonstrate NbS for climate adaptation through interventions such as integrated risk management, ecosystem restoration, and biodiversity conservation. These activities shall promote disaster risk reduction and participatory protection, management, and enhancement of forests and coastal and/or marine ecosystems that provide multiple products and services. This RFP shall prioritize NbS projects focused on conserving and protecting coastal and marine ecosystems. |
| Is baseline assessment updating or continuation of ongoing baseline assessment allowed under the thematic grant? | Proponents may include secondary activities such as, but are not limited to, ecosystem-based livelihoods programs, participatory assessments, research, mapping, capacity development, and advocacy as sub-components of the proposed NbS project. Proponents must ensure that these secondary activities will support the NbS intervention. All Thematic Grants must include implementation of actual nature-based solution/s, and this should be considered in the proposed project timeframe. All awarded grants must be closed no later than October 2027. Read the full Request for Proposals for Thematic Grants in:🌊 English: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic-eng 🌊 Filipino: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic2-fil | |
| Climate vulnerability data are usually limited at the community level, especially in the IP communities. Can climate vulnerability assessment be part of the preliminary activities? | ||
| Are conduct of biodiversity assessments and development of management plans allowed under the thematic grant? | ||
| Eligible recipients | Who can apply for a Thematic Grant? | The following entities are eligible to receive funds under the Program: Non-government organizations (NGOs) active in the Philippines involved in environmental conservation, development, education, scientific research, ecosystems management, gender equality, and/or other related fields. NGOs refer to non-government organizations duly registered under Philippines laws; Organized, registered and/or recognized community-based organizations, people’s organizations (POs), indigenous peoples’ organizations (IPOs), and/or women’s rights organizations (WROs) who work in the environment and/or development field; and Other appropriate local or regional entities active in the Philippines. Implementation may be through integrated projects by one organization, or several organizations in a consortium agreeing to perform or achieve particular outputs. Consortium members may include a combination of private and public entities that involve local communities in project planning and execution. However, the main proponent and fund recipient must be an eligible recipient as identified above. We encourage eligible proponents to form partnerships and collaborations with other organizations and institutions, including LGUs, government agencies, educational institutions, local associations, etc. |
| Can government agencies or private universities apply? | ||
| Can a consortium of private and non-government organizations apply? | ||
| Proposal templates and attachment | Where can we download the proposal templates? | All proposal templates can be accessed in the Request for Proposals: 🌊 English: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic-eng 🌊 Filipino: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic2-fil |
| Can the submitted proposal exceed the indicated number of pages in the proposal template? | The proposal must be as concise as possible. If there are sections that need further elaboration, the proponent should summarize the key points in the main body of the proposal and add details as annex/es. Other supporting documents may also be provided. Please label all annexes clearly. The prescribed length of each of the components of the proposal is indicated in the proposal template. Proposals must follow the templates, which can be accessed in the Request for Proposals: Read the full Request for Proposals for Thematic Grants in 🌊 English: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic-eng 🌊 Filipino: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic2-fil | |
| Can we attach other supporting documents to the proposal? | ||
| Should target outputs be quantified in the proposal? | Yes. Since the Thematic Grants require implementation of NbS, results must be measured as specific, quantified outputs, e.g.: number of hectares to be managed, number of seedlings to be produced, number of beneficiaries – sex disaggregated, etc. It is encouraged to include both quantitative and qualitative indicators in the Project Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (PMEF). Please see the section on Expected Project Results in the proposal template, linked in the full Request for Proposals:🌊 English: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic-eng 🌊 Filipino: tinyurl.com/pcp4nbs-thematic2-fil | |
| Budget | Can we purchase equipment related to the NbS implementation? | Purchase of equipment is allowed under a project if it will be directly used for the implementation of NbS activities. The proposal must illustrate the direct relevance of the equipment purchased to the planned NbS activities. |
| Can infrastructure be funded under Thematic Grants? | Infrastructure or physical works critical to the implementation of NbS are allowed. This refers to physical activities that involve construction or material creation (e.g., community (small-scale) nurseries and aquaculture/fish ponds). The proposal must provide associated environmental risks related to any proposed physical works. | |
| Is a counterpart required? | Proponents are not required, but encouraged, to provide a counterpart. This may be monetary or in-kind (including professional fees, equipment, vehicle usage, among others). All counterpart contributions must be quantified and included in Annex A. Work and Budget Plan. | |
| For Annex A: Work and Budget Plan, is the Quarterly Budget needed for Year 1 only? | For purposes of the proposal submission, the Quarterly Budget in Annex A is only required for the first year of the project. If the project is multi-year, a Quarterly Budget for succeeding years shall be submitted on an annual basis. | |
| Project Timeline | Can the project start later than July 2025? | Yes. July 2025 is the earliest possible start date for a project but may start later, as long as there is sufficient time to complete all project activities considering the close of project by October 2027. All awarded grants must be closed no later than October 2027. Since the grant requires implementation of actual NbS, this should be considered in the proposed time frame. |
| Proposal submission | Can we still ask questions regarding Thematic Grants after May 2, 2025? | The deadline for technical questions pertaining to Proposal Evaluation and Approval found in Section VII of the Request for Proposals is on May 2, 2025, 5:00 pm. However, other questions will be entertained until before the deadline of submission on May 21, 2025, 5:00 pm. These may include questions about proposal templates, submission process, accessing and using the Grant Portal, etc. |
| Can an organization submit multiple proposals (for different sites)? | Yes, multiple proposals can be submitted, but each proponent may only hold up to two (2) simultaneous grants with the Foundation. | |
| If my proposed project does not fit the criteria in the RFP, can I still submit a proposal? | Yes, you may consider submitting your proposal under our other grant pathways. The PCP4NbS program also offers Site-Based Grants in its priority areas: Calamianes Group of Islands in Palawan, Camarines Sur, Davao (de Oro and Oriental) will open in the second quarter of 2025.For more information on our target sites, please send an inquiry to pcp4nbs@forestfoundation.ph, or visit the microsite: pcp4nbs.forestfoundation.ph. Under its Results Framework 2023-2027, the Foundation provides grants on a rolling basis. Visit our website at www.forestfoundation.ph for more information. | |
| What if I have a proposed project, but cannot meet the deadline for proposal submission? | All proposals for this round of Thematic Grants shall be submitted no later than 5:00 pm (Philippine Time) on May 21, 2025. Proposals received after the deadline may be considered based on the availability of funds, and/or included and evaluated under a subsequent RFP. | |
| Grants Portal concerns | What should I do if I encounter problems accessing or using the Grant Portal, such as account creation, difficulty in logging in, password reset, etc.? I just created an account, but I am having trouble logging in. What can I do? | Create an account in the Grant Portal (grants.forestfoundation.ph) as soon as possible, to ensure smooth activation and use of your account. If you are experiencing login or account access issues, kindly send an email to pcp4nbs@forestfoundation.ph with a description and screenshot of your issue. Upon creation of an account, the account must be activated within 24 hours. The activation link will be sent to the registered email. This is a security feature to limit the creation of spam accounts. Any password change requests done before activation will result in automatic expiry of the account activation (even if 24 hours have not yet passed). |
References
- Request for Proposals – Thematic Grants:
- Thematic Grants: Proposal Template and Annexes:
Requirements for Project Proposals
| Full Proposal | ✓ |
| Annex A: Work and Budget Plan | ✓ |
| Annex B: Project Monitoring and Evaluation Framework | ✓ |
| Annex C: Proponent Information Sheet | ✓ |
- Proponents can use the key gender equality questions to help develop their proposed gender-responsive NbS.
