The MAVA Foundation and the PPI : a look back at 4 great years of ...

Expired family-office · Found: 2026-03-11 08:11

“Founded in 1994, the MAVA Foundation finances biodiversity protection projects in the countries of the Mediterranean basin, in Switzerland ...

Source: https://www.programmeppi.org/en/the-mava-foundation-and-the-ppi-a-look-back-at-4-great-years-of-collaboration/

Funding Details

Funder

Programme de Petites Initiatives (PPI) / French Committee of IUCN

Funding Goal

Supporting civil society organizations in Sub-Saharan Africa working on biodiversity conservation while improving local livelihoods

Funding Amount

Up to €30,000 per project (covering max 75% of total costs). Average grant historically ~€32,000 for 20-24 month projects. Total program has distributed €11.5 million since 2006. (up to 30.000 €)

Deadline

2025-12-18 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through periodic calls for proposals (the program operates in phases). For PPI7, applicants must review the Rules & Criteria document and a recorded Q&A webinar, then submit proposals by the deadline. An expert committee comprising IUCN members, NGOs, and French foundations reviews and selects projects.

Target Region

West and Central Africa (23 eligible countries), Sub-Saharan Africa broadly

Contact

Comité français de l'UICN, 259-261 rue de Paris, 93100 Montreuil, France. Phone: 01 47 07 78 58. Email: uicn@uicn.fr

Official Page

https://www.programmeppi.org/en/aap/

Last Checked

2026-03-11 21:57

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Organization must be a civil society organization (NGO) based in or operating in eligible Sub-Saharan African countries
• For PPI7: organization must be located in one of 23 eligible West and Central African countries

Project Scope

• Project must focus on biodiversity conservation with inclusive, community-based approach
• Eligible themes: protected areas, threatened species, ecosystem restoration, sustainable resource use, anti-poaching, human-wildlife coexistence
• Projects must include community engagement, indigenous peoples involvement, livelihood improvements, and inclusion of minorities and youth

Required Documents

• Review PPI7 Rules & Criteria document and recorded Q&A webinar before submitting

Constraints

• Maximum grant of €30,000 covering up to 75% of total project costs (25% co-financing required)
• Project duration up to 24 months

Summary

The Programme de Petites Initiatives (PPI) is a French cooperation initiative launched in 2006 and managed by the French Committee of IUCN (Comité français de l'UICN). It provides small grants to civil society organizations in Sub-Saharan African countries for biodiversity preservation projects that also improve the livelihoods of local populations. Since its inception, PPI has distributed €11.5 million across 274 projects in 28 African countries, supporting 190 organizations. The average grant is approximately €32,000 for projects lasting around 20-24 months. The program operates in phases. The most recent phase, PPI7, launched a call for projects focused on biodiversity conservation in 23 West and Central African countries, with grants of up to €30,000 covering up to 75% of project costs. Eligible themes include protected area creation/management, threatened species conservation, ecosystem restoration, sustainable natural resource use, anti-poaching, and human-wildlife coexistence. Projects must feature an inclusive, community-based approach to conservation. The original article describes the MAVA Foundation's 4-year collaboration with PPI (starting 2019), which extended PPI's reach to the Atlantic coast of West Africa. The MAVA Foundation, founded in 1994 by Luc Hoffman, has since closed its doors as planned. However, PPI continues with support from FFEM (French Global Environment Facility) and other funders. The program provides not just financial support but also technical capacity building, individualized coaching, and networking support to help NGOs become more structured and credible.

Historical Context

PPI has run through multiple phases since 2006 (at least 7 phases, currently PPI7). The program has funded 274 projects across 28 countries through 190 organizations. The MAVA Foundation co-funded PPI from approximately 2019-2023 before closing as planned. Beneficiaries have mobilized €13.7 million in additional co-financing beyond the €11.5 million in direct grants. The program has established approximately 500,000 hectares of community-based protected areas.

Sources

• https://www.programmeppi.org/en/the-mava-foundation-and-the-ppi-a-look-back-at-4-great-years-of-collaboration/
• https://www.programmeppi.org/en/
• https://www.programmeppi.org/en/le-ppi/
• https://www.programmeppi.org/en/aap/

Similar Programs

← Back to list