Deadline of Submission of Concept Notes:
November 14, 2025 (Friday), 11:59 p.m.
Background and Objectives
Art is a powerful tool to communicate forest conservation in ways that resonate emotionally, culturally, and experientially with people. Unlike conventional approaches, the arts can bridge the gap between data and daily life, inspiring people to take action for environmental issues.
Through storytelling, visualizations, performance, and public interaction, artistic practices invite inclusive dialogue and deepen the public’s understanding of our connection with the forests. They create spaces for collective reflection, meaning-making, and imagination—critical elements in mobilizing community participation and advocacy.
Forest Foundation Philippines is pleased to announce the launch of the Forest Co-Create Grants Program. This grant opportunity supports creative, arts-based, and participatory public engagement projects that contribute to forest conservation.
Aligned with the Foundation’s Results Framework 2023-2027, the Forest Co-Create Grants Program builds on our longstanding support for creative projects that communicate, advocate, and mobilize public interest and participation in protecting and conserving the forests.
The Program also seeks to foster co-creation among artists, scientists, community actors, and the public to address forest conservation challenges through innovative and interdisciplinary approaches.
Geographic Scope
This Request for Proposals (RFP) will prioritize project proposals that are co-created with the communities within the Foundation’s four focal landscapes:
- Sierra Madre;
- Palawan;
- Samar and Leyte; and
- Mindanao, specifically: Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, Mt. Hilong-Hilong Range within Agusan del Norte, and Lake Lanao Watershed within Lanao del Sur
Creative work outside of the four focal landscapes may be considered upon the availability of funding. Learn more about the Foundation’s four focal landscapes here.
Priority Subjects
Forests are more than ecological zones—they support crucial ecosystem functions and serve as cultural landscapes, spiritual sanctuaries, and sources of identity and livelihood. The Forest Co-Create Program has three priority subjects that are central to the Foundation’s Results Framework 2023-2027. These subjects provide not just direction, but inspiration for artists, communicators, and advocates seeking to explore complex narratives and foster public engagement on forest conservation. The priority subjects of the Program are Forest Landscapes, Biodiversity, and People—individually or their intersections.
Proponents may explore projects on the following, but not limited to:
Forest Landscapes
- Ecological, economic, and cultural value of Philippine forests, including ecosystem services and forest-based sustainable livelihoods
- Forest ecosystems, formations, and landscapes
- Deforestation, reforestation, and land use change
Biodiversity
- Richness, value, and roles of endemic flora and fauna in sustaining the web of life
- Forest species conservation and ecosystems protection
- Interconnectedness of ecosystems, species, and people
People
- Narratives of everyday life in the forest landscapes and kinship with nature
- Forest governance, civic engagement, youth leadership, and other stories of forest guardianship
- Indigenous and local knowledge systems and perspectives around forest stewardship (co-created with IP communities)
- Intergenerational storytelling
- Forest myths, rituals, songs, and traditions
Creative Outputs
Any creative formats may be considered as long as they demonstrate clear alignment with the Foundation’s Results Framework 2023-2027, follow an inclusive co-creation process, and engage the public on forest conservation. Possible outputs may include:
- Multimedia Arts: Illustrations, infographics, photo essays, creative cartographies, animation, short or full-length films, documentaries, learning videos, virtual/augmented reality experiences, podcasts, soundscapes
- Publications: Creative non-fiction, eco-fiction, reference materials, graphic novels, poetry collections, comics, zines, children’s books, and web-based storytelling
- Performing Arts: Theater, music, dance performances, improvisation, spoken word
- Applied Arts: Fashion, ceramics, and jewelry
- Public Art: Murals and street art, street performances
- Culinary Arts: Recipes, gourmet cooking
- Public Engagement: Exhibitions, cultural events, dialogues, hackathons, games (e.g., board games, app-based), and capacity-building initiatives
Grant Amounts and Funding Duration
Up to PhP 500,000 per project can be requested from the Foundation under the Forest Co-Create Grants Program, with creative outputs completed within six (6) to twelve (12) months.
Counterpart funding from the proponent, partners, and other donor institutions and programs is highly encouraged.
Eligible Grant Recipients
The Forest Co-Create Grants Program is open to:
- Civil society organizations (CSO) and non-government organizations (NGO)
- Individual artists and creatives
- Creative groups
- Academic and arts institutions
Government institutions and student organizations may participate in the co-creation processes but cannot directly receive funding; an eligible partner must act as the proponent or grant-holder.
Evaluation Criteria
The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
| CRITERIA | GUIDE QUESTIONS |
| 1. Design | Are the objectives, co-creation process, and creative output(s) of the proposal coherent and realistic? |
| 2. Capacity | Do the proponents have the creativity, experience, and capability to successfully implement the project based on their background and expertise? |
| 3. Impact | On people: To what extent will the project meaningfully engage audiences and spark resonance, reflection, or dialogue related to forest conservation? On forests: Will the project help address forest conservation challenges? Can the project benefit forests and forest-dependent communities? |
| 4. Relevance | How relevant is the project to forest conservation and its intended audience or community? |
| 5. Efficiency | Will the project be implemented in a timely and cost-effective manner? |
| 6. Sustainability | Can the project be scaled up or replicated after its implementation? |
Co-Creation & Application Process
The Forest Co-Create Program adopts a participatory approach.
Phase 1. Co-Creation of the Concept Note
The proponents are expected to work with potential project collaborators from a different sector when developing the concept. For example, a proponent designing a fashion line around endemic fauna species should already identify a relevant biologist or conservation organization as part of their proposed team.
Sample co-creators include:
- CSOs and NGOs
- Knowledge-holders from the community (e.g., community members, local government units, academe, etc.)
- Subject matter experts (e.g. forest conservation practitioners, scientists, researchers, etc.)
Interested creative proponents must submit the following via the Google Form:
- The accomplished concept note template, outlining their proposed medium and creative idea;
- Their credentials and portfolio; and
- Letter of endorsement from the identified collaborators
Proponents must also attach CVs or profiles of their key co-creators and any other relevant supporting documents.
Phase 2. Co-Creation of the Full Proposal
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal via email. The proposal must further expound on the co-creation process and how the proponent will utilize the grant to support this during output development.
Phase 3. Co-Creation of the Output
Successful applicants and their collaborators will co-develop the output through mutual exchange, refinement of content, and integration of technical and creative perspectives using the grant.
Timeline
| Activities | Tentative Dates |
| Release of Request for Proposals | October 20, 2025 (Monday) |
| Deadline of Submission of Concept Note via Google Forms | November 14, 2025 (Friday), 11:59 p.m. (GMT +8) Links: Template | Google Form |
| Announcement of Shortlisted Concept Notes via Email | December 1, 2025 (Monday) |
| Information Session (face to face or online) with Proponents for Technical Assistance on the Full Proposal Development (optional, upon request) | December 10 to 12, 2025 (Wednesday to Friday) Please send inquiries or requests on or before December 5, 2025 (Friday), 5:00 p.m. (GMT +8) by emailing proposals@forestfoundation.ph. |
| Deadline of Submission of Full Proposal via the Grant Portal | January 16, 2025 (Friday), 11:59 p.m. (GMT +8) |
| Evaluation of Proposals | Upon receipt of full proposals |
| Announcement of Results and Start of Project Implementation | As early as February 2026 |
Contact Information for Inquiries
Forest Foundation Philippines
2F Valderrama Bldg., 107 Esteban St., Legaspi Village 1229 Makati City, Philippines
Phone: (+63 2) 8891 0595; (+63 2) 8864 0287
Website | Grant Portal | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube
Email: proposals@forestfoundation.ph
Office Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.