Grant Featured

IUCN GEF CSO Challenge Program – Grants of up to US$300,000 for Environmental Solutions

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and RTI International

USD 50,000 - 300,000 Africa

About This Opportunity

The IUCN GEF CSO Challenge Program is a global initiative supporting civil society organizations that have demonstrated successful environmental solutions and are ready to scale their impact.

The program seeks to strengthen biodiversity conservation, climate resilience, sustainable land management, ecosystem restoration, and community-led environmental action through grant financing and technical support.

Organizations selected under the program may receive grants of up to US$300,000 to expand proven approaches that generate measurable environmental and social outcomes. Priority is given to initiatives that demonstrate innovation, community participation, sustainability, scalability, and alignment with global environmental objectives.

The program supports projects that contribute to:

Biodiversity conservation
Climate change adaptation and mitigation
Ecosystem restoration
Sustainable agriculture and land management
Nature-based solutions
Community conservation initiatives
Sustainable livelihoods linked to environmental protection
Indigenous and local community participation
Environmental governance and resilience

Applicants must demonstrate a track record of successful implementation and the capacity to manage grant funding and deliver measurable results.

Eligibility Criteria

Must be a legally registered Civil Society Organization (CSO), non-profit organization, community-based organization, or similar entity.
Must operate in an eligible country.
Must have a demonstrated track record of implementing environmental or conservation projects.
Must propose a project aligned with biodiversity, climate, ecosystem restoration, or sustainable land management objectives.
Must demonstrate organizational and financial management capacity.
Must be able to monitor, evaluate, and report project results.
Must comply with environmental and social safeguard requirements.
Must demonstrate community engagement and stakeholder participation.
Must have audited financial statements or equivalent financial records where applicable.
Civil society organizations with proven environmental solutions that are ready for replication and scaling.
IUCN Member organizations are eligible to apply if they meet programme requirements.
Former GEF Small Grants Programme beneficiaries are also eligible, but previous participation is not required.