Call for Expression of Interests: Heart of Conservation Initiative

Deadline: 30-Jun-25

The World Wide Fund is accepting applications for its Heart of Conservation Initiative to increase financial resources, organizational strength, and recognition for Indigenous Peoples’ and local communities’ governance and stewardship of lands, territories and resources to deliver Global Environmental Benefits.

Components

• HCI has five Components:
  • Component 1: On-the-ground projects led by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities to deliver Global Environmental Benefits.
  • Component 2: Self-strengthening of Indigenous Peoples and/or local community organizations to govern lands, territories and resources.
  • Component 3: Representation and recognition of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in global and large-scale decision-making.
  • Component 4: Experience and lessons learned to support and enhance broader initiatives of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
  • Component 5: Monitoring and evaluation.

Funding Information

• Proposals are invited with budgets of 1-2 million USD. With an overall budget of 18 million USD, Component 1 is expected to support 10-15 partners.

Eligibility Criteria

• The call for Expressions of Interest is open to organizations that comply with the following eligibility criteria:
  • Applicant organizations are either:
    • Representative institutions of Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities;
    • Organizations, networks or funding mechanisms established by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities to advance their rights and wellbeing;
    • A consortium composed of any of the above types of organizations.
  • Applicant organizations must be registered and operate in GEF-eligible country/countries and will also be screened for funding eligibility based on GEF and WWF-US safeguards and compliance standards, including UN, US, and other applicable laws and criteria.
  • Applicant organizations must have established mechanisms for consultation and accountability with the Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities that they represent or serve.
  • Applicant organizations must have demonstrable institutional capacities (including administrative, financial, project management and monitoring capacities) and experience in effectively managing complex projects, grants and risks.
  • Applicant organizations must have adequate institutional capacity and experience in managing, distributing and/or disbursing funds to members, communities or partners working on the ground.
  • Applicant organizations must have documented experience in supporting or implementing on-the-ground projects determined by Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities.
  • Applicant organizations must have a proven strategy or approach to ensure inclusion and leadership of women and youth in their work.

Selection Criteria

• All eligible Expressions of Interest (EoI) will be reviewed and assessed in accordance with the following selection criteria for on-the-ground projects:
  • The proposal has a clear objective and feasible results with a view to delivering Global Environmental Benefits in GEF-eligible country/countries.
  • The proposal will ensure that a significant proportion of the funds are disbursed and/or distributed to members, communities or partners working on the ground, on self-determined priorities for conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
  • The proposal has a clear strategy for enhancing stewardship of Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities of lands, territories and resources.
  • The proposal includes actions to ensure the inclusion and leadership of women and youth at all levels of activities.
  • The proposal has a clear strategy for involving other relevant rights holders and stakeholders to maximize the impact and sustainability of results.
  • The proposal will increase the visibility and recognition of the contributions and rights of Indigenous Peoples and/or local communities in the conservation and sustainable use of globally significant biodiversity.
  • The proposal will report on the number of direct beneficiaries (disaggregated by gender).
  • The proposal will report on at least one other GEF core indicator and (optionally) on select indicators for monitoring the Global Biodiversity Framework.

For more information, visit WWF.