PCP4NbS Special Fund for Nature-based Solutions: Site-based Grants for Batanes (English)

Deadline of Submission: May 2, 2025

Download the .pdf file.

Read the RFP in Filipino.

I. Background and Objectives

The Philippines is among the most vulnerable countries in the world to climate change. Situated along the typhoon belt and ring of fire in the Pacific Ocean, the country is prone to natural hazards such as flooding, cyclones, droughts, and landslides. To withstand and thrive in the face of the climate crisis, the Philippines must continue to strengthen its climate resilience through a comprehensive approach involving mitigation of impacts and adaptation strategies.

Climate change adaptation is fundamental to transform Filipinos’ way of life and forge a path towards building resilience and achieving sustainable development. Adaptation efforts must be based on improving collective understanding of climate impacts, capacity building for adaptation measures, reinforcing governmental support through policies and resources, and ensuring inclusivity in decision-making, particularly by engaging women and local communities.

In the context of such developmental challenges in a biodiversity-rich country, Forest Foundation Philippines (“Forest Foundation” or “the Foundation”), funded by the Government of Canada, is implementing the Philippines-Canada Partnership on Nature-based Solutions (NbS) for Climate Adaptation (PCP4NbS) (“the “Program”). Running from 2024-2028 and amounting to CA $8 Million, the Program will contribute to strengthening climate resilience of communities, particularly rural and indigenous women, while ensuring co-benefits from, and for, natural resources and healthy ecosystems. Grounded in the guiding principles of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions, the initiative will specifically target the three wins of biodiversity conservation, climate adaptation, and ensuring gender equality in natural-resource management (NRM).

The PCP4NbS Program has identified Batanes as one of its priority areas. Batanes is the northernmost island province in the Philippines, which lies along the typhoon belt in the Pacific. The entire province is a Protected Area, an Ancestral Domain of the Ivatans, and an identified KBA (Batanes Islands Protected Landscape and Seascape).

In particular, efforts will be focused on Basco, the province’s capital, with 48 unnamed river watersheds with a total area of 3,360 hectares (ha). PCP4NbS will ensure that nature-based solutions are implemented in the target sites, and generate results that are aligned with the Logic Model of the Program (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Logic Model of PCP4NbS

II. Special Fund for NbS

To support participatory development, implementation, and enhancement of NbS projects for climate change adaptation, a Special Fund was established under the program. The Special Fund aims to:

• Increase capacities of women and communities in developing/designing and implementing NbS with biodiversity co-benefits;
• Ensure women and community participation in protecting, enhancing, and restoring ecosystems and biodiversity; and
• Protect and enhance biodiversity that provides multiple ecosystem goods and services.

The design and implementation of projects under the Special Fund will be aligned with the Foundation’s Results Framework 2023-2027, while expanding the sustainable management of forests to coastal and marine ecosystems for water, land, and biodiversity, and fostering nature-based climate action. It will support projects that can establish participatory and coordinated strategies on a large scale, enabling the Program to meet a range of local needs, while contributing to national commitments and targets.

The Special Fund will support three types of grants over the Program lifetime: (1) site-based grants to implement NbS; (2) thematic grants to demonstrate NbS; and (3) grants to sustain public support for NbS. This Request for Proposals pertains to applications for Site-based Grants in Batanes.

III. Site-based Grants: Geographic Scope and Priority Issues

This is a Request for Proposals for NbS in Batanes, with efforts to be focused in the 48 unnamed river watersheds of Basco, Batanes. These target sites encompass the following barangays:

Basco, Batanes Watersheds
Municipality of Basco	– Brgy. San Joaquin – Brgy. Ihubok II (Kayvaluganan) – Brgy. Kayhuvokan – Brgy. Ihubik I (Kaychanarianan) – Brgy. Chanarian – Brgy. San Antonio

To ensure the effectiveness and responsiveness of the Program in contributing to climate, biodiversity, and gender-equality outcomes through appropriate and gender-responsive NbS, a Vulnerability and Risk Assessment (VRA) and Gender-Based Analysis-Plus (GBA Plus) have been conducted in the target sites.

The results of the assessments, summarized below, provide a basis for identifying priority issues that need to be addressed and types of interventions that may be supported.

Highlights of Vulnerability and Risk Assessment

• Elevated flood hazard exists along the southwestern section of the Municipality of Basco, Batanes. This area collectively encompasses the populated areas of barangays San Antonio, Ihubok II (Kayvaluganan), Kayhuvokan, and Ihubok I (Kaychanarianan). This region of the Basco is situated along the outlet of large catchments that serve as the final catch basin of waters coming from the northern mountainous landscapes. Flood hazard along the northern region of Municipality of Basco, Batanes mostly covering Barangay San Joaquin and portions of San Antonio is minimal due to the barangay’s steep terrain. 

• Most areas susceptible to rain-induced landslides were observed on the northern section, notably coinciding with the slopes of Mt. Iraya found within Barangay San Joaquin. Undulating mountain terrains and steep coastal cliffs along Barangays Chanarian, Ihubok I (Kaychanarianan), and Kayhuvokan are prone to rain-induced landslides. Basco’s steep coastal cliffs prevent extreme inland propagation of coastal flooding resulting from storm surge events. 

• The low-lying coastal zone in Barangay Chanarian is highly susceptible to storm surge events. Future sea level rise is expected to aggravate future storm surge conditions in Basco, Batanes. Low-lying coastal areas including most of Barangay Chanarian can be greatly affected by storm surge.  

• The projected change in sea level rise and coastal retreat is collectively accounted for modeling future storm surge events. It shows that the future sea level rise aggravates future storm surge conditions in Basco, Batanes. Low-lying coastal areas including most of Barangay Chanarian can be greatly affected by this storm surge with sea level rise. 

• The entire municipality of Basco could face detrimental impacts of severe wind events. Its isolation at the northernmost region of the Philippines exposes the island to typhoons bringing intense wind gusts and prolonged wind events. All exposure units can be severely affected by severe winds.

Highlights of the Biodiversity Assessment

In the Basco Watershed, the majority of recorded plant species were trees, with fewer herbs and shrubs observed. A total of 269 morpho-species, representing 192 genera and 85 families, were identified along the trails in Basco watershed. Based on Co’s Digital Flora of the Philippines, of the 269 recorded species 31 (12.86%) are classified as endemic (species that can only be found in the Philippines), 39 (16.18%) are exotic species (those species that were introduced by humans), and 171 (70.95%) were native in the country. 

Among the 269 species recorded, a total of 19 species were found to be threatened, in which 2 species are critically endangered (CR), 3 species are endangered (EN), 9 are vulnerable (VU), and 5 are other threatened species (OTS). Notable species such as the critically endangered species Calamus batanensis and Medinilla magnifica, as well as the endangered species Podocarpus costalis, were found in the area. 

Lastly, the biodiversity of the Basco watershed in Batanes is highly vulnerable to various anthropogenic and ecological pressures. Key threats include the proliferation of exotic and invasive species, the prevalence of kaingin (slash-and-burn) farming practices, and the dominance of early secondary growth forests, which indicate a history of deforestation.

The following table further summarizes the above findings of the biodiversity assessment:

Biodiversity in Basco, Batanes Watersheds	Vulnerability
Flora Species  – 269 morpho-species 3 – 1 endemic species – 171 native species – 39 exotic species – 19 threatened species (2 critically endangered, 3 endangered, 9 vulnerable, and 5 other threatened	– Presence of significant number of exotic/introduced species – Prevalence of kaingin (slash and burn) farming practices – Dominance of early-secondary growth forest

See the full list of species found in Batanes.

Highlights of the Gender-Based Analysis-Plus

• Indigenous Peoples as Environmental Stewards with Legal Challenges. The Ivatan and Itbayat peoples make up 96% of Batanes’ population and have a strong cultural connection to nature, evident in their sustainable farming, disaster-resistant architecture, and conservation practices. However, conflicting applications of the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and the National Integrated Protected Areas System (NIPAS) Act create governance barriers that complicate Indigenous land and resource management. Women, in particular, face limited recognition of their roles in ecological stewardship despite being actively involved in sustainable farming, forest management, and coastal resource protection.

• Payuhuan: Strong Community Bonds but Low Organizational Development. The Ivatan practice of Payuhuan (collective cooperation) fosters strong community ties but also conditional inclusion, particularly for LGBTQI+ individuals who are tolerated as long as they contribute to communal efforts. Despite this social cohesion, the province lacks strong advocacy organizations representing women, Indigenous groups, and marginalized populations, limiting their participation in governance and climate-related decision-making.

• Women’s Multiple Burden & Vulnerabilities to Gender-Based Violence. The women (Mavakes) in Batanes are highly respected but bear a disproportionate workload in households, community work, and environmental conservation. Many women engage in unrecognized and unpaid labor in agriculture and fisheries, with some formally registered under their husbands’ names in livelihood programs. Gender-based violence (GBV) remains underreported due to the province’s small, close-knit population, where social stigma discourages victims from seeking justice.

• High Environmental Awareness but Growing Solid Waste Concerns. While Batanes is widely recognized for its climate resilience, community members and environmental advocates have raised concerns over solid waste management. The influx of tourists and typhoon-related debris accumulation have overburdened local waste disposal systems, highlighting the need for sustainable waste reduction policies and eco-tourism regulations.

• Climate Change Impact on Agriculture, Fisheries, and Eco-Tourism. Climate change has disrupted traditional agricultural cycles, fisheries, and eco-tourism, threatening local livelihoods. Fisherfolk report delays in seasonal fishing and farming cycles, while government restrictions on natural resource use (e.g., quarrying limitations under NIPAS) have led to shifts away from Indigenous construction practices and alternative livelihood strategies.

• Gender and Development (GAD) Programs Remain Service-Oriented. While Batanes has active GAD initiatives focused on health, well-being, and gender-based violence prevention, these programs are often disconnected from environmental and climate resilience efforts. Women’s roles in climate adaptation remain largely unrecognized and unsupported in formal planning.

IV. Site-based Grants: Eligible Activities

Each site-based grant shall be between Php 2 Million and PhP 6 Million, with an implementation period of up to two (2) years, commencing in July 2025 onwards. 

Site-based grants under the Program shall directly support community-based and gender-responsive NbS to help reduce vulnerability and increase resilience to climate change impacts in the target sites. These NbS shall respond to the results of the VRA and GBA Plus, as summarized above. 

The table below enumerates the key hazards and corresponding level of risk identified through the VRA, and potential NbS that may respond to these hazards. Site-based grants shall be awarded to projects that seek to implement, but are not limited to, these potential NbS. Proponents are encouraged to introduce other tested or innovative NbS, especially those supported by local experiences and expertise.

Hazard	Risk	Potential NbS
Flooding	– Residential areas of 5/6 (83%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from flood hazard. – Approximately 277 to 406 households are at intermediate to high risk from flood hazard. – Forest areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from flood hazard. – Agriculture areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from flood hazard. – Coastal areas of 5/5 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from flood hazard.	– Flood mitigation initiatives (e.g., women-led reforestation, afforestation, natural water retention ponds, soil erosion control) – Urban greening (e.g., green spaces, green walls)  – Community-based forestry and Agroforestry (e.g., alley cropping, forest farming, using flood- and salt-resistant crops, multi-layered cropping) – Integrated rainwater harvesting (e.g., small-scale rainwater catchment system) to reduce urban flooding
Rain-induced Landslides	– Residential areas of 6/6 (100%) barangays have low to high risk from rain-induced landslides. – Approximately 9 to 18 households are at low to high risk from rain-induced landslides. – Forest areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have a high to very high risk from rain-induced landslides. – Agriculture areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have a high to very high risk from rain-induced landslides. – Coastal areas of 5/5 (100%) barangays have a high to very high risk from rain-induced landslides.	– Reforestation/ Afforestation (e.g., soil erosion control) of the headwaters of Mt. Iraya. (e.g., women managed nurseries, women-led reforestation) – Pioneer and fast-growing species that can be used for reforestation and/or afforestation found in the watersheds are the Balinghasai (Buchanania arborescens), Anabiong (Trema orientalis), and Tuai (Bischofia javanica), Balanti (Homalanthus populneus), Ahem (Melanolepis multiglandulosa), Rarang (Erythrina subumbrans), Salisi (Ficus benjamina), and Yabnoi (Ficus septica), Savidug (Terminalia catappa), Bani (Pongamia pinnata), Narra (Pterocarpus indicus Willd. forma indicus), and Lanipga (Toona ciliata) – Strengthening of riverbanks that are prone to slope failure (e.g., use of vetiver grass, establishing freshwater mangrove, bamboo propagation) – Species found in the watersheds that can help in strengthening riverbanks and protect soil from erosion are the Anabiong (Trema orientalis), Savidug (Terminalia catappa), Bani (Pongomia pinnata), (Aglaia elaeagnoidea), and Tanud (Morus alba) – Community-based forestry and Agroforestry (e.g., alley cropping, forest farming, multi-layered cropping)
Storm Surge	– Residential areas of 1/6 (17%) barangay has low to intermediate risk from storm surge (Kaychanarianan) – Approximately 1 household is at low to intermediate risk from storm surge. – Forest areas of 2/7 (29%) barangays have low to intermediate risk from storm surge. – Agriculture areas of 3/7 (43%) barangays have low to intermediate risk from storm surge. – Coastal areas of 5/5 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from storm surge.	– Mangrove forest protection, reforestation, and windbreaks (e.g., women managed mangrove forest)
Storm surge with sea level rise	– Residential areas of 1/6 (17%) barangay have intermediate risk from storm surge with sea level rise. – Approximately 762 households are at intermediate to high risk from severe wind. – Forest areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from severe wind. – Agriculture areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from severe wind. – Coastal areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from severe wind​.	– Mangrove forest protection, reforestation, and windbreaks (e.g., women managed mangrove forest)
Severe Winds	– Residential areas of 6/6 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from severe wind – Approximately 762 households are at intermediate to high risk from severe wind – Forest areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays  have intermediate to high risk from severe wind – Agriculture areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays have intermediate to high risk from severe wind – Coastal areas of 7/7 (100%) barangays  have intermediate to high risk from severe wind​	– Mangrove forest protection, reforestation, and windbreaks (e.g., women managed mangrove forest) – Species found in the watersheds that can sustain strong winds are the Bitaog (Calophyllum inophyllum), Bani (Pongamia pinnata) Hanot (Talipariti tiliaceum), and Danupra (Toona sureni) – Urban greening (e.g., green spaces, green walls) – Natural wind breaks (e.g., hedgerows)

*Baseline (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP), RCP 4.5 2039 (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP), RCP 4.5 2065 (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP), RCP 4.5 2099 (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP) RCP 8.5 2039 (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP), RCP 8.5 2065 (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP), RCP 8.5 2099 (5 yr, 25 yr, 100 yr RRP)

Priority will be given to proposed NbS that strengthen women’s capacities and encourage leadership of women in project delivery and management of their natural resources. Proponents are encouraged to refer and respond to the societal and gender-related vulnerabilities and gaps identified in the GBA Plus. Throughout implementation, gender-based activities and innovation should be introduced, tested, and/or adapted to support effective delivery of results. 

Alongside the above interventions, the proposals may also include the following or similar activities in support of NbS, while clearly prioritizing the NbS and demonstrating complementation of activities:

• Development and diversification of gender-responsive community enterprises and sustainable livelihoods, consistent with the manner of protecting biodiversity;
• Legitimization and registration activities of community organizations and groups and individual members;
• Community-based enforcement in upland and coastal/marine protection activities (i.e., patrolling, equipment, and tools);
• Localized, cross-sectoral partnerships and strengthening of organizations; and/or
• Community and gender empowerment critical to the protection of the ecosystems.
• Community-based food systems (i.e., communal garden, urban agriculture, farmers market) to support food availability.

Proponents are also encouraged to develop projects that align with existing local/community plans and frameworks, and consider past projects implemented in the area.

V. Site-based Grants: Eligible Recipients

Site-based grants will be open to all eligible proponents interested in implementing projects in the target sites in Batanes. Entities eligible to receive funds under the Program include:

• 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, for example in support of a common project outcome, conservation agreements, or a project based on local development plans.

Priority will be given to women’s rights organizations.

Proponents are encouraged to provide confirmation of support for the proposed project  from the target community or community beneficiaries, and to demonstrate established partnership or engagement with the relevant local government unit(s).

VI. Site-based Grants: Application Process

To apply for a site-based grant, eligible organizations shall complete and submit the requirements for proposals listed below:

Requirements for Project Proposals

Full Proposal	☑
Annex A. Work and Budget Plan	☑
Annex B: Project Monitoring and Evaluation Framework	☑
Annex C: Proponent Information Sheet	☑

The full proposal and other templates may be downloaded from the Grant Portal on the Forest Foundation website, downloaded at this link, and/or requested by sending an email to pcp4nbs@forestfoundation.ph.

Completed project proposals shall be uploaded and submitted through the Grant Portal on or before 5:00 pm (Philippine Time) on May 2, 2025.

VII. Site-based Grants: Proposal Evaluation and Approval

Project proposals will initially be reviewed to ascertain merit and completeness of design and technical aspects. Proposals that meet these criteria will be elevated to the Program Committee of the Foundation, which will prepare and submit recommendations to the Board of Trustees (BOT) on proposals to be funded.

Projects are expected to encapsulate the climate-biodiversity-gender nexus and align their proposed activities and outputs with the Program’s target outcomes and priorities. Proposals shall be evaluated in a holistic manner, according to: (a) general criteria on soundness, feasibility, and alignment with the Program’s Logic Model (see Figure 1); (b) NbS-specific criteria; and (c) other criteria in support of NbS. 

Proposals must meet general criteria and those demonstrate that the project is NbS, while criteria in support of NbS are not required, but may serve to strengthen the proposal. 

The proposal must meet the following general criteria:

1. Technical soundness and feasibility;
2. Financial soundness and feasibility;
3. Social soundness and feasibility;
4. Organizational capacity to implement the project;
5. Clear outcomes and results with high likelihood of achievement (feasible and attainable given the budget and duration); and
6. Alignment of the expected results (outputs and outcomes) with the Program’s Logic Model (see Figure 1).

The proposal must also demonstrate that the project is a nature-based solution, responding to the following questions:

1. Does the project respond to the priority issues identified in the VRA and GBA Plus?
2. Does the project address local climate change adaptation needs?
3. Does it work on restoring, managing, and/or conserving ecosystems or ecosystem services?
4. Does it aim to solve a societal challenge, beyond purely conservation issues?
5. Does it provide biodiversity co-benefits?
6. Does it promote gender equality in its design and implementation?

The proposal may be strengthened by responding to the following questions, demonstrating actions in support of NbS. These are optional:

1. Does the project support development of gender-responsive community enterprises and sustainable livelihoods, consistent with the manner of protecting biodiversity?
2. Does the project contribute to strengthening organizations and promote cross-sectoral partnerships?
3. Does the project contribute to community and gender empowerment in the area?
4. Does the project support transdisciplinary knowledge sharing, strategic communications and/or learning mechanisms and processes towards building capacities on NbS towards transformative change?
5. Does the project target other NbS criteria under the IUCN Global Standard for NbS?

Awarded grants shall be publicly announced by the Foundation and communicated to the grantee. Once a proposal is approved, the Foundation will enter into a legally-binding Special Fund Agreement with the grantee.

VIII. Timeline

For this round of proposals for site-based grants, please note the indicative  timeline below. 

Proposal Submission and Evaluation Timeline

Activity	Indicative Schedule
Request for Proposals (Issuance)	April 1, 2025
Project Development Workshop	April 1–2, 2025
Deadline for Technical Questions	April 11, 2025
Deadline of Submission of Proposals	May 2, 2025
Proposal Evaluation	May–June 2025
BOT Deliberation	June 2025
Announcement of Results	June–July 2025
Project Implementation	July 2025 onwards

A Project Development Workshop will be conducted to provide further information about the Program, the scope of site-based grants, the types of projects that may be supported,  and technical assistance on the grant application process to enhance and strengthen submissions for possible funding. The workshop is open to all eligible proponents for projects in Batanes. Additional information sessions on the proposal development and submission process may be organized, as needed.

Proponents may reach out to the Foundation via email (pcp4nbs@forestfoundation.ph) for any assistance needed in proposal development. Technical inquiries, or those related to Proposal Evaluation and Approval in Section VII above, shall only be accepted until 5:00 pm (Philippine Time) on April 11, 2025. 

All proposals shall be submitted through the Forest Foundation Grants Portal no later than 5:00 pm (Philippine Time) on May 2, 2025. Proposals received after the deadline may be considered based on the availability of funds, and/or included and evaluated under a subsequent RFP.

IX. Contact