CFPs: Nature-Based Solutions for Ecosystem Strengthening in San Juan (Dominican Republic)

Deadline: 02-Apr-2026

The World Food Programme (WFP) is inviting proposals for projects promoting nature-based solutions (NbS) in San Juan province, Dominican Republic. The initiative focuses on sustainable food systems, ecosystem restoration, climate-resilient agriculture, and inclusive community participation, with an emphasis on women, youth, and small-scale producers.

Overview of the Program

The WFP initiative, “Impulsando la Transformación de los Sistemas Alimentarios en la República Dominicana: Modelo escalable de la cuenca del Yaque del Sur”, aims to pilot an integrated territorial model to transform food systems sustainably.

Key goals include:

Strengthening institutional and community capacities
Aligning public and private investments for sustainability
Generating actionable evidence to guide interventions
Promoting active participation of local communities, particularly women, youth, and small-scale producers

The program emphasizes that sustainable transformation requires coordinated multi-level governance, community engagement, and the institutionalization of innovative practices.

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following areas:

Community Co-Existence: Strengthening relationships between local communities and natural resources
Forestry Production: Sustainable forest management and reforestation
Integrated Territorial Governance: Aligning policies, stakeholders, and investments
Ecosystem Restoration: Rehabilitation of degraded landscapes
Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Adaptive practices to withstand climate shocks
School Food Environments: Promoting nutrition-sensitive interventions
Green Financial Inclusion: Access to sustainable finance for local actors
Multi-Level Governance: Coordination between municipal, regional, and national actors
Community Participation & Protection: Inclusive and safe engagement of local populations
Gender Equity: Ensuring equal opportunities for women and marginalized groups

Objectives of the Call

This call seeks proposals to identify and implement one scalable nature-based solution (NbS) in San Juan province. Key objectives include:

Assessing the most relevant NbS for the territory
Identifying priority interventions in vulnerable communities
Conducting risk analyses to ensure feasibility and sustainability
Coordinating capacity-building actions with relevant authorities
Integrating protection and gender-sensitive approaches into project design
Systematizing, reporting, and maintaining community feedback mechanisms
Ensuring complementarity with other ongoing WFP initiatives

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants are organizations capable of implementing nature-based solutions in San Juan province, including:

Civil society organizations
Non-governmental organizations
Community-based organizations
Institutions with experience in sustainable development, climate resilience, and food systems

Applicants must demonstrate the ability to engage local communities, coordinate with authorities, and implement gender- and protection-sensitive interventions.

How to Apply

Identify Potential NbS: Conduct preliminary assessments to determine relevant solutions for the territory
Engage Stakeholders: Coordinate with local authorities, community leaders, and WFP focal points
Design Project Proposal: Include objectives, planned activities, risk assessments, and expected outcomes
Submit Proposal: Provide all required documentation via WFP’s official application portal
Capacity-Building & Implementation: Work with communities and authorities to ensure participatory development
Monitoring & Reporting: Establish feedback mechanisms, track results, and document project actions

Tips for a Strong Proposal

Clearly define the nature-based solution and its impact
Demonstrate alignment with local priorities and ongoing WFP initiatives
Include participatory approaches with women, youth, and small-scale producers
Incorporate risk assessment and mitigation strategies
Ensure monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms are included

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Ignoring community participation or local governance structures
Neglecting gender and protection considerations
Failing to demonstrate feasibility or alignment with territorial priorities
Overlooking integration with other WFP programs
Submitting incomplete risk assessments or unclear implementation plans

Conclusion

The WFP San Juan Nature-Based Solutions initiative offers a unique opportunity to pilot sustainable and climate-resilient interventions in the Dominican Republic. By combining community engagement, ecosystem restoration, climate-smart agriculture, and gender equity, the program fosters transformative food systems and resilient communities, contributing to long-term environmental and social sustainability.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.