The newly launched WALD Innovation Facility is now accepting applications for Nature-and-Climate-positive projects with the aim of supporting on-the-ground restoration activities. The Facility offers grants ranging from EUR 750,000 to EUR 1.5 million, designed to help projects achieve carbon standard registration and mobilize additional funding.
Proposals must be submitted by Thursday, 13 February 2025 at 17:00 (5pm) CET.
Key Details:
- Grant Amount: EUR 750,000 to EUR 1.5 million
- Grant Duration: Up to 24 months, concluding by 30 June 2027
- Eligible Applicants: Local and international NGOs, Indigenous Peoples, Local Community organizations, private project developers, cooperatives, and entities with the relevant expertise
- Application Deadline: 13 February 2025, 17:00 (5pm) CET
- Proposal Process: A two-stage submission process (Concept Note followed by Full Proposal for shortlisted candidates)
Funding Objectives:
The WALD Innovation Facility is looking to fund projects that focus on ecosystem restoration and contribute to carbon removals while fostering sustainable development. Projects must implement activities that can be registered under a carbon standard and aim to continue their work beyond the grant period.
The funding will support projects that work in the following areas:
1. Forest-based Activities (CO2 Removals):
- Restoration: Recovery of degraded or deforested land and ecosystems, with a focus on biodiversity and ecosystem function restoration.
- Agroforestry: Integrating trees into agricultural systems to enhance carbon sequestration while improving land productivity.
Eligibility: Projects must focus on carbon removals. REDD projects are excluded.
2. Inland Wetland-based Activities (CO2 Removals):
- Peatland Restoration: Restoration of degraded peatlands to restore their natural water-logged state and increase carbon sequestration.
Eligibility: Projects should focus on carbon removals, although avoided emissions may also be considered.
3. Coastal Wetland Activities (CO2 Removals):
- Blue Carbon: Mangroves, salt marshes, kelp, and seagrass ecosystems that sequester carbon and play a crucial role in climate mitigation.
Eligibility: Projects should contribute to both carbon sequestration and avoided emissions in coastal ecosystems.
Core Principles of the WALD Innovation Facility:
All proposed projects must align with the following principles:
- Nature-positive impacts: Projects must demonstrate a positive impact on nature and contribute to restoring ecosystems.
- Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM): Projects should aim to leverage the VCM to further enhance funding opportunities.
- Social Inclusion and Gender Equality: Projects must advance social inclusion, gender equality, and benefit sharing.
- Innovation for Impact: Projects should aim to foster innovative approaches to sustainability and restoration.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must meet specific criteria to be considered for funding:
- Competence and Capacity: Organizations must demonstrate technical and financial capacity, along with relevant expertise and experience in managing comparable projects.
- Government Authorization: Projects must obtain consent from relevant national, local, and Indigenous authorities.
- Social and Environmental Safeguards: Applicants should show a commitment to robust environmental and social safeguards during project implementation.
Where Can Projects Be Implemented?
- Projects must be located in countries eligible for Official Development Assistance (ODA) and not subject to international sanctions.
- Preferred locations include Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs), areas of high ecological significance.
Proposal Process:
Stage 1: Concept Note Submission (Due by 13 February 2025)
- Applicants are required to submit a Concept Note through the IUCN Grants Portal. Ensure that all mandatory documents are included for the application to be considered.
- Once received, the proposals will be reviewed, and shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a more detailed Full Proposal.
Stage 2: Full Proposal (For Shortlisted Applicants)
- Shortlisted applicants will be asked to submit a more detailed Full Proposal after the Concept Note review.
- Up to six projects will be selected for funding after reviewing the Full Proposals.
Grant Support and Expectations:
- Grant Amount: Between EUR 750,000 and EUR 1.5 million per selected project.
- Additional Funding: Selected projects must contribute at least 25% of the grant amount to the total project cost during the funding period.
- Grant Period: The maximum duration for the grant is 24 months, with all projects expected to conclude by 30 June 2027.
- After the grant period, projects are expected to continue their activities without further support from the Innovation Facility.
Who Can Apply?
The call for proposals is open to a wide range of organizations involved in designing, developing, and implementing high-quality, scalable nature-based projects for carbon markets, including:
- NGOs (local and international)
- Indigenous Peoples (IPs)
- Local Community (LC) organizations
- Private project developers
- Forestry and agricultural companies
- Cooperatives and other organizations with relevant expertise
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A strong track record in managing similar projects.
- An ability to work collaboratively with national stakeholders, Indigenous authorities, and local communities.
- A commitment to environmental and social responsibility, especially in relation to the restoration of nature and the sequestering of carbon.
Application Instructions:
- Submit the Concept Note through the IUCN Grants Portal with all required documents.
- Ensure you include a cover letter, detailed CV, and list of publications (if applicable), along with contactable references.
- Only complete applications will be reviewed.
For detailed instructions, guidelines, and templates for submitting your Concept Note, visit the WALD Innovation Facility pages.
Find more information under “Call for Proposals” and in the Guidelines for Applicants [🡇].
Email for additional questions: [email protected]
