Call for Proposal

Proposal to implement community-led conservation and governance initiatives through the ICCA Global Support Initiative (ICCA-GSI) Phase 2

The Global Support Initiative on territories and areas conserved by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCA-GSI) is a flagship initiative under the GEF Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP), implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), to strengthen biodiversity conservation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate resilience.

Funded by the Government of Germany through its Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), ICCA-GSI recognises the important role of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in conserving ecosystems through customary governance and traditional knowledge. Globally, ICCAs cover nearly one-third of the world’s land and contribute significantly to biodiversity conservation and community wellbeing.

ICCA-GSI in Malaysia
Building on Phase 1, Phase 2 expands to 50 countries, including Malaysia, with a stronger focus on inclusive governance, gender equality, and youth leadership. The initiative supports communities through small grants, policy engagement, and knowledge sharing, contributing to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), particularly Targets 3, 21, 22, and 23.
In Malaysia, ICCA-GSI aligns with the National Policy on Biological Diversity (2022–2030) and contributes to the recognition of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), by supporting community-led ICCAs as demonstration sites that generate practical evidence for national recognition, policy development, and contributions to global biodiversity targets.

Work at local, national and global levels
Phase 2 is structured around three interrelated Work Packages that collectively drive systemic change across local, national, and global levels:

  • Work Package 1 (Local level): Provides direct financial support for community-based actions and demonstration of effective ICCA stewardship, contributing to ecosystem protection, sustainable livelihoods, and poverty reduction.
  • Work Package 2 (National level): Strengthens legal, policy, and institutional frameworks to support ICCA recognition and conservation, including governance assessments of protected areas and landscapes.
  • Work Package 3 (Global level): Facilitates networking, knowledge generation, and exchange among CSOs and community initiatives at regional and global levels.

This Call for Proposals seeks to support community-driven initiatives that strengthen Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (ICCAs) through integrated approaches to conservation, governance, and knowledge systems. Projects are expected to generate measurable biodiversity benefits while enhancing sustainable livelihoods, in line with “Local Action, Global Impact.”

Two work packages are available under this call. Applicants may submit proposals under one work package only, based on the nature and scope of their proposed intervention.

Work Package 1 – ICCA Demonstration Sites

Objective: To support community-led ICCA identification, mapping, restoration, and management as demonstration sites aligned with the OECM framework, integrating traditional knowledge and biodiversity conservation. This component will support up to four (4) pilot projects that:

  • Demonstrate effective community-led ICCA stewardship
  • Strengthen conservation, governance, and sustainable livelihoods
  • Generate evidence to inform the Malaysia Indigenous Peoples’ Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (MIPBSAP) and strengthen national recognition of ICCAs

OR

Work Package 3 – Capacity Building and Youth Leadership

Objective: To strengthen the capacity of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) to sustain ICCA governance and management. This component will support initiatives that:

  • Build technical and institutional capacity
  • Advance women and youth leadership
  • Enable knowledge transfer and intergenerational learning
  • Strengthen partnerships for long-term sustainability

Proposals should align with the following Strategic Priorities:

  • Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species
  • Improve the effectiveness of biodiversity and ecosystem conservation and management through equitable governance systems by recognizing and respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples and local communities. 
  • Improve community-led biodiversity friendly practices and approaches, including promoting blue economy approaches (e.g. agriculture, fisheries, forestry, tourism, infrastructure, etc.). 
  • Enhance community led actions for protection of threatened species.
  • Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security
  • Increase efficiency and effectiveness of overall food production and value chain, including in vulnerable ecosystems (mountains, island ecosystems, etc.).
  • Increase diversification and livelihood improvement.
  • Remove deforestation from the supply chain and expand restoration of degraded lands.

Priority will be given to projects located in the following landscapes and seascapes:

  • Pahang: Kuantan, Jerantut, Maran, Temerloh, Pekan, Bera, Rompin
  • Johor: Mersing, Kota Tinggi
  • Sabah: Kudat, Kota Kinabalu, Kota Marudu, Pitas, Tuaran, Kota Belud, Ranau
  • Sarawak: Asajaya, Kuching, Samarahan, Lubok Antu, Betong, Pusa, Sri Aman, Simunjan, Lundu, Bau, Serian

However, if no suitable proposals are received from these priority landscapes and seascapes, proposals from other locations may be considered, provided they align strongly with the objectives of ICCA-GSI.

  1. Work Package 1 – ICCA Demonstration Sites
    • Projects must:
      1. Be led by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities, in partnership with civil society organisations where relevant
      2. Align with the principles of Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) and demonstrate potential for recognition
      3. Focus on areas conserved, managed, or used by Indigenous Peoples and local communities (ICCA)
    • Projects should include:
      1. Identification and documentation of ICCA
      2. Participatory mapping and boundary delineation
      3. Ecosystem restoration and sustainable resource management
      4. Strengthening community governance systems and protocols
      5. Integration of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) / community conservation practices
      6. Delivery of tangible biodiversity and socio-economic outcomes
    • Selected projects are expected to contribute to:
      1. Strengthened community governance and stewardship
      2. Improved biodiversity conservation outcomes
      3. Enhanced recognition of ICCAs
      4. Documented lessons, tools, and models for scaling and policy uptake
  2. Work Package 3 – Capacity Building and Youth Leadership
    • Projects must:
      1. Be led by Indigenous Peoples and/or Local Communities (IPLCs), with meaningful participation of women and youth
      2. Focus on strengthening capacities for ICCA governance, management, and long-term sustainability
      3. Demonstrate clear approaches for knowledge transfer and leadership development
    • Projects should include:
      1. Capacity building and skills development (e.g. governance, resource management, technical skills)
      2. Intergenerational learning and knowledge transfer (including traditional ecological knowledge)
      3. Leadership development, particularly for women and youth
      4. Establishment or strengthening of community networks and partnerships
      5. Engagement with technical partners, training institutions, or CSOs where relevant
    • Selected projects are expected to contribute to:
      1. Increased capacity of community leaders, especially women and youth
      2. Strengthened ICCA governance systems
      3. Enhanced sustainable livelihoods
      4. Institutionalised intergenerational knowledge transfer
      5. Increased participation and leadership of women and youth in ICCA management

Grant Type: Regular Grants

Amount: up to USD 40,000

Purpose: Community-led project Implementation

Eligible entities include national:

  • Community-Based Organisations (CBOs) 
  • Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs)
  • Civil Society Organisations (CSO), including academic/training institutions
  • Social Enterprises
  • Indigenous Peoples’ organisations
  • Women and Youth Groups
  • Persons with disabilities 
  • Communities

Applicants for SGP grants that have not yet established a formal organization or association, or do not yet have a banking arrangement, are required to open a dedicated bank account with at least three signatories for the implementation of the project. 

Government institutions, including public academic institutions, state-owned enterprises and international organizations are not eligible to receive SGP grants.

Proposals must:

  • Be community-driven and locally led 
  • Align with the SGP Malaysia’s Country Programme Strategy
  • Be located within or clearly linked to priority landscapes/seascapes 
  • Demonstrate clear environmental and socio-economic benefits 

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  1. Strategic Alignment
    • Alignment with at least one of the SGP Strategic Priorities:
      • Community-based conservation of threatened ecosystems and species
      • Sustainable agriculture and fisheries, and food security
    • Contribution to at least one of the relevant GEF focal areas below:
      • Biodiversity
      • Climate Change Mitigation
      • Land Degradation/ Sustainable Land and Forest Management
      • Chemical and Waste Management
      • International Waters
    • Alignment with at least one (1) Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target (3, 21, 22, or 23)
  2.  Environmental Impact
    • Clear potential to contribute to targets on global environmental benefits
    • Contribution to one or more GEF measurable results indicators
    • Potential to deliver measurable results aligned with GBF and IKI indicators (e.g. conservation area, restoration, biodiversity outcomes)
  3. Community Ownership & Relevance
    • Community-driven and locally led
    • Addresses real needs and priorities of the community
    • Demonstrates strong participation and ownership
  4. Gender Equality
    • Promotes meaningful participation and leadership of women 
    • Demonstrates how the project will deliver benefits for women
    • Integrates gender considerations into project design and implementation
    • Alignment with GBF Target 23 (Gender Equality), where applicable
  5. Social Inclusion & Livelihood Benefits
    • Meaningful engagement of Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, persons with disabilities and vulnerable groups
    • Integration of socio-economic benefits such as livelihoods or food security
    • Contribution to improved well-being and livelihood indicators (in line with IKI requirements)
  6. Project Design & Approach
    • Clear and logical project design
    • Inclusion of relevant components (e.g. capacity-building, awareness, knowledge sharing)
    • Results framework with measurable indicators aligned to GBF and IKI requirements
    • Practical and feasible monitoring and reporting approach
    • Demonstration of innovation or value-added approaches (e.g. integration of traditional knowledge, new partnerships, or scalable models)
  7. Sustainability & Feasibility
    • Potential for long-term impact and replication
    • Realistic activities, timeline, and budget
    • Co-financing or partnerships (where possible)
  8. Knowledge Management
    • Plans to capture, share and disseminate the knowledge, lessons learned, and good practices gained through the implementation of the project.
    • Contribution to knowledge-sharing and intergenerational learning (aligned with GBF Target 21)

Proposals must demonstrate clear alignment with the programme’s GBF targets and IKI indicators, and include relevant indicators in their results framework.

Applicants are required to submit a Full Project Proposal. The proposal should include:

  • Project objectives and rationale
  • Alignment with SGP Strategic Priorities and the Country Programme Strategy
  • Alignment with at least one Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Target (3, 21, 22, or 23)
  • Expected environmental results (linked to GEF focal areas)
  • Community needs and stakeholder engagement
  • Detailed activities and implementation plan
  • Target beneficiaries (disaggregated by gender and youth, where applicable)
  • Results framework, including relevant GBF and IKI indicators
  • Monitoring and reporting approach (including data collection methods)
  • Budget and implementation timeline (not more than 18 months)

At a minimum, proposals must:

  • Deliver concrete and measurable results, aligned with GBF and IKI indicators
  • Address both environmental priorities and community needs
  • Demonstrate clear community leadership and participation
  • Include baseline and target indicators, where relevant
  • Show how results will be monitored, documented, and reported

Applicants are encouraged to align their proposals with the programme’s results framework and mandatory indicators provided in the ICCA-GSI project proposal template.

All submitted proposals will be screened based on eligibility and evaluation criteria, in line with the Country Programme Strategy (CPS).

A long list of all eligible proposals will be compiled and presented to the National Steering Committee (NSC) for review.

Shortlisted applicants may be contacted for clarifications or further refinement of their proposals and may receive guidance from the SGP Secretariat.

Final approval of projects will be made by the NSC, based on the evaluation criteria outlined above.

Submit proposals to sgp.my@undp.org

Deadline : Sunday, 7 June 2026, 11.59 PM Malaysian Time

The first round of proposals will be reviewed in June 2026. Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis, subject to the availability of funds.

Applications MUST be submitted using the provided templates.

Deadline : Sunday, 7 June 2026, 11.59 PM Malaysian Time

SGP OP8 Country Programme Strategy for Global ICCA Support Initiative Phase 2

Download

SGP OP8 ICCA-GSI Project Proposal Template

Download