GEF SGP grants are made directly to CSOs and CBOs, as cornerstones to addressing global environmental concerns while enhancing their livelihoods. Encouraging and building partnerships among organizations and groups is an integral part of SGP. Thus, less experienced community organizations are also encouraged to take part in SGP grants, assisted by a local or national NGO, who play a key role as a mentor and partner. Indigenous peoples organizations and marginalised groups can also access SGP support.
Types of Grants
The SGP provides three types of grants:
1. PLANNING GRANTS–BETWEEN US$2,000 AND US$5,000
When the design of a project proposal requires additional support, planning grants are available. These grants usually target proponent organizations in need of strengthening their capacity and experience in project design and management. Depending on the capacity of the proponent, planning grants can be used to coordinate stakeholder workshops or meetings to design the project in a participatory manner, contract an experienced NGO or local consultant to help elaborate the project, to undertake baseline assessments, and to develop a business plan.
2. REGULAR GRANTS–OF UP TO US$50,000 BUT AVERAGING US$25,000
Most of the SGP grant-making is channelled through regular grants. These grants provide support for activities addressing one or more focal areas and/or strategic initiatives; and can also be used for standalone capacity development projects.
3. STRATEGIC PROJECT GRANTS–OF UP TO US$150,000
More experienced country programmes can also have access to strategic project grants. Since the gap between the SGP regular grants and the GEF’s Medium-Sized Project (of up to US$2 million) may be too wide, strategic project grants provide a more streamlined mechanism to consolidate efforts of several communities and CSOs. This type of grant facilitates the upscaling of successful SGP experiences, as well as enhancing synergies across multiple SGP projects within or across countries.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Priority is directed at grassroots groups such as CBOs, indigenous peoples, farmers, women, youth and workers. Local authorities should include traditional or indigenous governance units for their proposals to be eligible. International NGOs and private sector companies are not directly eligible for SGP support but may co-finance a project.
All project proposals submitted to SGP should meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be proposed and implemented by a locally registered NGO, CBO or civil society organization in Nigeria.
- Demonstrate strong organizational capacity of the proponent to implement the proposed project.
- Address SGP focal areas and/or strategic initiatives: all project proposals should explain how the proposed objectives and activities would have a concrete impact and contribute towards the achievements of the goals under the SGP focal areas and/or strategic initiatives.
- Be aligned with the Country Programme Strategy: every project proposal needs to explain how it is aligned with the targets and objectives of the Country Programme Strategy of their country, including being in the selected landscape/seascape.
- Demonstrate strong community involvement in the planned or proposed project.
Non-registered and rural-based organizations such as village committees are encouraged to apply for SGP support in partnership with eligible organizations (to assist them in providing project management services and meeting SGP requirements).