GEF Small Grants Programme - Ghana (2026 Call for Proposals)

Enriched UN / Multilateral · Found: 2026-03-11 11:10

Call for proposals to award grants for innovative community-based conservation initiatives including potential plastic waste management. Maximum USD 30,000 for CSOs and community-based groups in Ghana. Deadline October 31, 2026 (upcoming).

Source: https://undp.org/media/1538851/download?inline=

Funding Details

Funder

GEF Small Grants Programme (UNDP) – Ghana

Funding Goal

Community-based conservation and environmental sustainability initiatives in Ghana, covering biodiversity, climate change mitigation, land degradation, chemical/waste management, and international waters focal areas.

Funding Amount

Up to USD 75,000 per project per Operational Phase (ceiling decided by the SGP National Steering Committee; GEF-8 SGP 2.0 guidelines set a maximum of USD 75,000, up from USD 50,000 in prior phases). Co-financing equal to or greater than the grant amount is encouraged. (up to 75.000 €)

Deadline

2026-10-31 (Fixed)

How to Apply

Submit completed project proposal (using the standard SGP template) to the National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme in Ghana. The proposal includes: Part 1 (cover page with org details, project location, focal area classification, project finance), Part 2 (project framework, stakeholder plan, risks, M&E, and budget), Annex 1 (indicators), Annex 2 (initial questionnaire), and Annex 3 (social and environmental risk assessment). Additional attachments such as registration documents, endorsements, and evidence of community support are encouraged.

Target Region

Africa – Ghana

Contact

National Coordinator, GEF Small Grants Programme, Ghana (no specific contact details provided in the document; applicants are directed to consult the NC/NSC for support during proposal preparation).

Last Checked

2026-03-11 16:24

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a registered CSO or CBO (community-based organization) operating in Ghana
• Organization must have relevant experience with environmental/sustainable development projects at community level; prior GEF SGP engagement is a plus

Project Scope

• Project must align with at least one GEF-8 SGP focal area: Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation, Land Degradation, Chemical & Waste Management, or International Waters
• Select one primary Strategic Initiative and one primary Focal Area; secondary areas may be noted in the project justification

Required Documents

• Submit legal registration/status documentation and recent audited financial statements (if available)
• Complete and submit Annex 1 (GEF-8 project indicators) and Annex 3 (social and environmental risk assessment) as mandatory attachments

Constraints

• Project duration generally should not exceed 2 years; grant request must not exceed USD 75,000
• Co-financing (cash or in-kind) equal to or greater than the SGP grant amount is strongly encouraged and must be documented

Summary

The GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), in its Eighth Operational Phase (OP8), is calling for project proposals from civil society organizations (CSOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs) in Ghana. The program provides grants of up to USD 75,000 per project (ceiling set by the National Steering Committee) to fund innovative, community-driven solutions to global environmental challenges at the local level. Projects must align with at least one of five GEF-8 focal areas: Biodiversity, Climate Change Mitigation, Land Degradation/Sustainable Land and Forest Management, Chemical and Waste Management, or International Waters. The program emphasizes community participation, social inclusion (particularly for women, indigenous peoples, youth, and persons with disabilities), innovation, and long-term sustainability of project outcomes. Applicants must demonstrate organizational experience, a clear project framework with measurable indicators, a monitoring and evaluation plan, and evidence of co-financing contributions from community partners or other sources—with co-financing encouraged to be at least equal to the SGP grant amount. Eligible activities span a wide range including conservation of threatened ecosystems and species, sustainable agriculture and fisheries, low-carbon energy access, chemicals and solid waste management (including plastics), and sustainable urban solutions. The program uses standardized GEF-8 core indicators to track global environmental benefits alongside socio-economic outcomes for beneficiary communities. Applications require a completed project proposal template (Parts 1 and 2), budget tables with co-financing details, indicator selections (Annex 1), and a social and environmental risk assessment (Annex 3). Projects are expected to be completed within 2 years, and proposals should be submitted to the National Coordinator of the GEF SGP in Ghana.

Historical Context

This is the Eighth Operational Phase (OP8) of the GEF Small Grants Programme. The proposal template was updated in July 2025 through global SGP staff consultations. The GEF-8 programming period raised the maximum small grant ceiling from USD 50,000 to USD 75,000. OP8 is aligned with GEF-8 Programming Directions and uses 6 of 11 GEF-8 core indicators.

Why it was added

UNEP/UN plastic pollution/CE program

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